The future of the Jokers in the KHL seems impossible when Russia invaded Ukraine. Successful supporter Pasi “Pave” Mähönen has set up an address to guarantee the club’s existence.
16.3. 08:57 • Updated March 16th. 10:01
Pasi “Pave” Mähönen, 56, speaks at a calm pace in the spring sunshine at his home, on Aurinkolahti beach in Vuosaari. Externally, everything seems to be okay for a hockey person, but the truth is different. Poorly sleeping nights are behind us and the internal turmoil doesn’t end there. Russia’s attack on Ukraine is haunting every day, as is the future of the hockey club supported by Mähönen.
Mähönen has been a familiar face in Finnish hockey stands since the “divaria era”, since the 1980s. The Jokers ’loyal supporter veteran has come a long way, which has accommodated numerous stories from the 1990s Hockey phenomenon in hockey all the way down to the sudden drop in the KHL journey in 2022.
– Hockey may not be the most important thing in this world right now, but everyday life must continue nonetheless. For those who support the Jokers, that everyday life has its own club, the beakman of the Old Chiefs’ Association of Jokers, known as Pave.
The future of the 54-year-old Helsinki Jokers, who have withdrawn from the KHL playoffs in hockey, is shrouded in obscurity. The KHL story, which began in 2014-15, is no longer missing a point. The main owner of the club Jari Kurri has not yet confirmed that the adventures of the Jokers in the East are over.
However, the matter is unsealed. ‘s interviews include Lions’ pilot in charge and former KHL coach Jukka Jalonen, hockey influencer Kalervo Kummola, Joker’s long-time striker Jesse Joensuu and next season’s Joker head coach Antti Pennanen.
Mähönen expresses in a colorful way that now is the time when the old boss gets out of his wing, puts smoke signals in the air and sets out to save his beloved puck club – the Jokers of Helsinki.
– Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war that began with it is not the fault of the Joker fans or the Joker team. In one week we had a team, a place, a gaming arena. However, we need our team back!
In an uncertain situation, the Joker organization is running out of options. The KHL door closed, and even though the Jokerit would strengthen the league brand with its possible return, according to Heikki Hiltunen, chairman of the SM League’s board, the Helsinki team will hardly make it to any SM league at least next season.
The biggest question marks for the jokers are related to the home hall and the club’s ownership base. The Ilmala Hall should be Finnish-owned. In 2013, the sale price of the arena was estimated by Kauppalehti to be EUR 35 million. In addition, some of the current owners of the hall are subject to sanctions, which makes it difficult to sell.
Approximately ten million euros would be required to assemble an SM-eligible team and a league share and license.
– The return of jokers to Finland has always been an occasional occasion, but it is unbelievable that it happens like this and in this world situation. The price is hard, completely insane – the price of the suffering of the war, updates Mähönen.
A fanatical hockey supporter conjures up all the gloom for Joker fans with an address theme “Help save the Jokers” (go to another service). If you wish, you can put a wooden mark on the address and show loyalty with it. The club’s two official fan associations, the Old Chiefs ry and the Jokerit Fan Club, are involved in the project.
– The Jokers have given us all a lot, now is the time to give something back. The goal is to garner fan support to help the Jokers re-enter. To pile up as many as possible – up to ten thousand names on the list – committed Joker supporters, and prove that we need our club back. Create faith in the future.
– I think this address will be of great importance to the background forces of the Jokers and those who will be going to steer this ship in the future. There has been sailing in toxic waters before in the history of the Jokers, but there has always been access to the harbor, perpetual fan Pave piles.
There is no reproach in the junior junior activities, as the team leads the series in the A, B and C youths. The Joker brand also evokes feelings from side to side. The broad fan base would probably grow even more if the club returned to the Finnish Championship League. It is possible that supporters who boycotted Russian ownership and the KHL series would return to the stands. According to Mähönen, there are even thousands of pairs of eyes.
– According to me, I challenge all the fans, ex-players, ex-coaches, former employees, former juniors and just about anyone who misses the Jokers back to the Finnish hockey pitches. All loyal and loud joker fans have one vote in use. It now has a chance to make a difference. Peace, love and joker hockey, bundled with its slogan Joker-Pave.
According to the athletes who follow the hockey closely, it would not be an impossible idea if the Jokers sought a place in the Finnish Championships for the season 2023–24. A realistic option is that the Jokers would work towards a league family through the Mestis or Finland series.
– I’m sure my humble mind will set off. For myself, Mestis would fit in well with the first start and then the league. The main thing is not to rush. It would even happen to me that next season the representative team would not even play. As long as the package is so well put together when it comes out, Mähönen will outline his views.
A big Savotta and large-scale groundwork is ahead for the possible new arrival of the Jokers. At present, no authors have even announced in public. That’s why even an unwavering Joker fan doesn’t dare to dream of the success of years ago in this situation. The Jokers have won six SM golds (1973, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997 and 2002).
– We are in a zero situation with the representative team. My wish is to go see the team, not necessarily the series where it is played. In other words, those who boycotted KHL or were enthusiastic about its sportiness would join forces in this situation and get all the supporters of the club involved. Personally, I fully believe that the joker will continue.