Familiar from previous circles.
Lukas Pilö (right) moves to Helsinki IFK. PDO
SM league club IFK Helsinki is strengthening its back lines with a 26-year-old Swedish defender Lukas Pilö. Pilö signed a one-year contract with IFK.
– I would describe myself as a two-way defender who has a good opening pass and wants to play with the puck. Above all, I want to be a reliable player for the team who uses his strengths in an advantageous way for the team. I also always give my all for the team, both in matches and in training, Pilö enumerates.
Pilö is already familiar to HIFK head coach Olli Jokinen. Jokinen piloted Pilö in SHL club Timrå.
– Olli is a coach who demands a high level both in training and in matches. It creates a competitive environment and helps build good daily operating practices, says Pilö.
Pilö arrived in Timråho for the 2024–25 season. He and Jokinen had time to collaborate for a year.
– He was then acquired by Timrå’s team to develop. Our journey together was interrupted, but he still has a lot to measure, also in the direction of attack. Lukas is a familiar player to us and we know his strengths. The work ethic is really high. He wants to develop and move forward as a hockey player, says Jokinen.
According to Jokinen, Pilö is a “reliable defensive defender”. Jokinen estimates that Pilö is an important piece for HIFK even with an understrength team.
IFK, piloted by Jokinen, was tenth in the regular season last season. Its sky was broken for the first round of the playoffs.