Liike Nyt’s MP is going on vacation.
Hjallis Harkimo can’t get to the Veikkaus arena. Rosa Bröijer
Helsinki Jokerit returns to the Veikkaus-arena, i.e. the former Hartwall-arena, on Friday, when it meets the top team of Mestis, Joensuu Kiekko-Pojat.
However, one person who has been with the Jokers for a long time is nowhere to be seen in old Jaffala.
Harry Harkimo told In the Piippuhylly podcastwho is not there when the Jokers return to their old home.
The long-time businessman and MP said that he no longer owns a piece of the hall. He also plans to take a vacation on game day.
Jokerit last played in their old home hall in 2022, when the club played KHL hockey. The Jokerit missed the 2021-22 season when Russia started a war of aggression in Ukraine.
“Hjallis” became the main owner of Jokerie in February 1991 after buying the majority of shares in the club.
Jokerit moved to the KHL under the leadership of Harkimo in autumn 2014. He sold the club For Jari Kurri in 2019.
The recent activities of the Jokers have not convinced the former puck influencer, it is clear from his comments on the podcast.
– It’s the Jokers’ own fault that they’re not in the League. They could have made it in the first year if they wanted to, but now they have chosen this path. The whole thing is pretty open now, Harkimo said in the podcast.
– I’ve watched with a bit of disappointment when Jokerit doesn’t do well in Mestis. It’s not like Joker’s brand of hockey if you can’t beat Mest.
Jokerit is currently seventh in Mesti’s standings. The team has collected 15 points from 11 matches.
Due to weak grips, the head coach Tomek Valtonen even firings have been called for.
However, Harkimo would not do this.
– I can tell you that I have the most experience with firing coaches. I have fired the coach nine times, and once it has paid off, Harkimo said.
Harkimo referred to the only functioning head coach roulette to the 1993–94 season, when the Jokerit hired Hannu Aravirran in the middle of the season after finishing eighth in the regular season.
The Narrilauma celebrated the Finnish championship the following spring.
Friday night’s match between Jokeri and Kiekko-Poikie starts at 19:00.