Mikael Granlund opened his verbal coffin – A strong message to Finland

Mikael Granlund was one of the NHL stars who signed the letter of support. ATTE KAJOVA

NHL star Mikael Granlund gives its support to the hockey players association SJRY.

Last week, SJRY submitted a demand letter to the Ice Hockey Federation, the League and the league clubs, in which it demands action to open the SM league.

The players’ association got behind a number of Finnish NHL stars. SJRY published a list of names of 17 NHL players who supported the demand. Granlund was one of the names.

On Monday, the Players’ Association published Granlund’s comments on the subject on its website.

– We are very concerned about what Finnish hockey looks like now and will look like in the future. We see it as important that the League is opened for sports as quickly as possible. Moving up to the league must be truly possible, and not include unreasonable thresholds of several million, Granlund says in the press release.

– Open series are part of the European ball culture and all over Finland there should be an opportunity to compete genuinely. We are here along the lines of the Players’ Association.

Granlund reminds that the vast majority of players want to open the League.

– Now Liiga and Mestis are clearly lacking strong competition. Open series increase competition and at the same time it is seen which clubs want to do things better and are able to renew themselves. When winning is the focus, tougher competition develops everyone.

Granlund gives his support to the Players Association’s demand to become a part of Huippukiekko’s advisory board.

– Without players, there is no game. The league systems essentially concern the players, so the players must definitely be represented at all the tables where decisions about the players are made, Granlund emphasizes.