Tuominen chose the domestic ice hockey league and the short-lived China-Pest over North America’s new professional league. In Vaakakuppi, the promotion of physiotherapy studies was also important.
Olympic medalist in ice hockey Minnamari Tuominen booked in September Susanna Tapani like the new women’s PWHL professional league. When the playoffs of the women’s domestic league are in full swing, Tuominen will strengthen Kiekko-Espoo’s defense.
The purpose of the import was to play in the United States like last season, but everything changed when the then PHF league was unexpectedly ditched. The new PWHL league with the reservations for the Minnesota team did not blindly attract Tuomis. Especially when the new league season only started in January.
Tuominen says that he weighed the special situation carefully and thought about accepting the contract offer from the Chinese KRS Vanke Rays. The advantage was that the season in China is short.
– I decided to come here to Kiekko-Espoo for the beginning of the season. I am studying to become a physiotherapist at Laurea, and Kiina-pesti also made sure that I could advance my studies, Tuominen says.
– I did not go to China for free. There was money left for the sock.
The attraction of the China gig was enhanced by the fact that Tuominen had time to return to Kiekko-Espoo in the middle of the season.
– I got here before the transfer deadline. It was clear then, this is my home. I want to stop here, Tuominen describes.
Tuominen, 33, started in the SM series in 2006 in Blues, the predecessor of Kiekko-Espo. The successful player, who trained as an attacker and became a defender, has also had time to play in Sweden and Russia as a professional, but the current season was still truly exceptional.
Home advantage until the end of the playoffs
At the league level, the most important phase of the season is about to begin. Kiekko-Espoo won the regular season by beating HIFK, ranked as its toughest competitor, 5–1 in the last round. Tuominen aims to seal his season in a colorful way at the championship party.
– We have big goals, and getting the home advantage until the end is a big deal. The first step is behind, Tuominen lines up.
With the experience of six SM golds, Tuominen predicts that like last year, Kiekko-Espoo and HIFK will meet in the final.
– I believe that they (HIFK) will be against each other. We can’t face him before the final. Going towards it, Tuominen pounded.
Tuominen brought a jymäkkytä to the Kiekko-Espoo game after returning to the home fields in February. It is especially valuable in the playoffs of the best-of-five system.
The women’s Finnish champion will survive in the final series on Saturday, March 23 at the latest. In the regular season, the reigning champion HIFK and Kiekko-Espoo tied the wins 2–2.