Sami Kauhanen, who worked as CEO of the Jokers, has been elected CEO of the Finnish Ice Hockey League.
STT Sports,
Matti Lehtisaari
15.7.•Updated 15.7.
Sami Kauhanen takes over as CEO of the Finnish Ice Hockey League. Kauhanen follows in the task Matti from Nurmiwho took over as Secretary General of the International Federation.
The 50-year-old Kauhanen was appointed CEO of the Helsinki Jokerit KHL organization in the winter, but the Jokerit left the ruble after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The Joker’s representative crew does not have a place to play in any series in the upcoming season. Jokerit plans to return to the SM league for the 2023–2024 season, but an official application has not been submitted yet.
– In Sam, the Ice Hockey Association will get a competent and versatile CEO whose heart beats for ice hockey, the association’s president Harri Nummela said in the announcement.
– It is also significant that Sami has been involved in ice hockey in many different roles: as a player, coach, team manager and currently as a board member of Kiekko-Espoo ry. The Jääkiekkoliitto is first and foremost a service organization for its clubs, which is why it is definitely a plus that the CEO has practical experience in club day-to-day life.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine changed everything
Kauhanen’s run in the Jokers only lasted less than half a year. He officially started working at Jokers on February 21. Russia attacked Ukraine in the same week, on February 24th. At the same moment, Joker’s continuation in the KHL became impossible.
– The world changed a lot right after I started working at Jokers. The operating environment changed completely after the start of the Russian war of aggression. Jokerit is now heading towards a different future, Kauhanen commented to Urheilu.
How do you see the future of Jokers?
– The Jokers have a clear plan for returning to the SM league. There will surely be a qualified team to build the future. I have to find out how much of my own investment is still needed for Jokers. But my wish would be to get to the Ice Hockey League as quickly as possible, Kauhanen said.
Finnish ice hockey is flying high now. In the spring and winter, Leijonat first celebrated the Olympic gold in Beijing and immediately after the World Championship gold in Tampere. Kauhanen estimates that the conditions for staying at the top are there.
– The ice hockey association’s updated strategy in the spring is good. I believe that by implementing it, the success will continue in the future as well, Kauhanen believed.
Kauhanen’s exact starting date in the Ice Hockey League will be revealed later. General secretary of the Ice Hockey World Cup home games Heikki Hietanen acting as interim as CEO. The position is familiar to him because Hietanen worked as the CEO of the association before Nurmi.
Updated at 10:55: Sami Kauhanen’s comments added to the news.