Aki-Petteri Pulkkinen
The popularity of the Lions overshadowed the incredible Finnish achievement, writes NHL journalist Aki-Petteri Pulkkinen.
Jussi Ahokas celebrated the coveted junior award. PDO
The Lions’ World Championship dominated the Finnish media on Sunday and Monday.
And fully deserved. The World Cup gold team deserves all the praise possible and a little more.
However, one truly remarkable Finnish hockey achievement was left at the feet of the lions. From the point of view of Finnish ice hockey, even more significant than a single World Cup gold, which was already Leijon’s third in seven years.
Behind Rapako in North America, the night before Monday, head coach Jussi Ahokas ordered his team Kitchener Rangers to the Memorial Cup championship.
It was the first time a European head coach won the Memorial Cup.
In the Memorial Cup, the champions of Canada’s three major junior leagues, OHL, WHL and QMJHL, and the host team of the tournament meet.
First, the Ahokkan Rangers won the OHL championship in show style and later the Memorial Cup with a clean game.
The Espoo Ice Hockey Academy is on its way to the NHL at a fast pace. He said in an interview with Iltalehti that he had already held discussions in the direction of the world’s best hockey league.
Ahokas has coached in the OHL for three seasons and won practically everything. He was awarded Coach of the Year in 2025.
Memorial Cup champion coaches have often found themselves behind the NHL bench at some point in their careers.
Junior hockey is appreciated on the new continent more than we can even imagine. Success with young people is a huge rose on Ahokka’s resume.
It’s no coincidence that the World Championships for adults are organized year after year in Europe and the junior championships in North America.
Alpo Suhonen was the last head coach in the NHL. He commanded the Chicago Blackhawks in the early 2000s.
In recent years, Florida Panthers assistant coach Tuomo Ruudu has been talked about as the next potential Finnish NHL head coach. However, he has not publicly said that he wants to become an NHL head coach.
Ruuttu has extensive NHL player experience on his side, but Ahokas has earned his spurs in a different way.
The gentlemen have very good buns in the oven. They do extremely valuable work for Finnish and European coaches.
