Vaasan Sport, which finished second last in the SM league last season, has signed 14 foreign players for this season. Sport’s sports director Herkko Koski answered why the majority of the players come from outside Finland.
Vaasan Sport, which finished second last in the ice hockey SM league last season, has an exceptionally foreign-winning structure.
The Vaasa team this season has no less than 14 foreign reinforcements, nine of which are Swedish. Ten of the 26 contracted players in the club’s representative team are Finnish. It is also worth noting that none of the domestic players in eagle shirts belong to the elite of the SM league.
This season is not the first when Sport’s foreign section looks very rich. Last season, ten foreign contract players played in the club, and the top chain was made up of Swedes.
Urheilu asked the club’s sports director From Herkko Koskiwhy Sport has invested even more heavily in acquiring foreign players this season.
Geography, price-quality ratio and a good reputation, especially among Swedish players, came up as justifications.
Why do you have so many foreign players with you this season?
– We have monitored the player market and made specific acquisitions. The Finnish market has been dry in the direction of Vaasa. Swedish players have good experience over the years and our club has a good reputation among Swedes. We have got good guys at a good price-quality ratio. Also, being bilingual and thus integrating families into Finland is effortless and easy.
How has the economy affected the acquisition of foreign players?
– We have the smallest player budget of the league clubs this season. We have to think about the price-quality ratio. It’s easier to find players of the level we want for the team in a neighboring country.
How has the acquisition of foreign players affected the club’s image?
– I myself come from elsewhere, and to an outsider’s eyes, the number of foreign players appeared negative even last season. Locally, however, Swedish players have been well received in the Vaasa and Ostrobothnia region. They are liked persons. It has surprised me in a positive way.
Why is Vaasan Sport not interested in Finnish players in the same way as foreign players?
– The location certainly has an effect. Many players are surely wondering if they will be able to win here and achieve the things that every player strives for in his career. I have had good conversations with some players and agents and they are looking forward to our new arrival. I think we will be able to bring such young players into this series who do not get a responsible role in bigger organizations. That is perhaps the way of the future.
– Experienced and seasoned league players are also needed. Young players cannot immediately carry that team. I believe that in the future we will have Swedish, young Finnish players in the team through our own player pipeline, and hopefully also those experienced Finnish players.
What kind of things have you paid attention to in player acquisitions?
– Compared to last season, we had a narrow center forward department, which means we have applied and searched for center forwards. We have now found good players at the attacking end, so it has clearly strengthened for us. The tip was narrow in terms of attack, so now we have more width.
– We have also been looking for players who are good people. We have a really good atmosphere in the team and an enthusiastic mood. At this point, we can say that we have managed to find good guys for our team.
Does head coach Risto Dufva have an influence on the fact that the players are interested in Vaasan Sport?
– Risto certainly has a colorful background and is an experienced coach. The decision-making of many athletes is certainly based on who is the head coach. For some players, it may be the reason that Sport is not interesting. I myself see more of what a player can achieve in his playing career. Now, when that success hasn’t come, I see it as a bigger reason.
– I personally did not know Risto before and I have heard all kinds of stories about him. Now, when you know how good a person he is and how he treats other players, his story is much more colorful. I am satisfied that he is our coach at this very moment.