The SM League will not accept new license applications for the 2023–24 season. In addition to the Jokers, Kiekko-Espoo is also aiming for the league.
11:26•Updated 11:32
The Ice Hockey Championship League will not accept license applications submitted from outside the league for the 2023–24 season. The issue especially affects the Helsinki Jokeri, who planned to return to the league in the fall of 2023.
– Now it’s simply time to calm down the situation. The shareholders consider that, under the prevailing circumstances, they have a need and an obligation to protect the interests of both the League and Finnish top ice hockey, the chairman of the board of the SM League Heikki Hiltunen says in the announcement.
– Kiekko-Espoo and Jokerit are separate cases. Kiekko-Espoo is aiming for the 2024–25 season, and the League wants to maintain an open attitude regarding that. Espoo has done a lot of work over the years to achieve what it wants, Hiltunen says.
SM liiga directs all organizations seeking a new league license to apply to Mestis. Jokerit will not play at the representative team level in any series in the starting season. Kiekko-Espoo has played in Mestis since 2020.