Antti Törmänen’s former coaches wish him a speedy recovery.
The 1995 world champion and experienced coach Antti Törmänen is currently receiving treatment for cancer. PDO
Ice hockey coach Antti Törmänen piloted the Swiss Biel team for five seasons. Törmänen has suffered from health problems in recent years.
The 1995 world champion and former NHL player was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, but recovered and was able to return to coaching duties.
Last spring, the gall bladder cancer recurred and the man put his coaching career on hold six days after the end of the season.
– A really sad situation for Antti and his family. When he told about the recurrence of the disease last spring, it was a moving moment for the whole team, he says Jere Sallinenwhich starts the third season in Biel.
The art of positivity
Two-time world champion Jere Sallinen wishes Antti Törmänen good luck for a tough fight. PDO
32-year-old Sallinen has noticed some surprising features in Törmänen.
– I saw him in the summer. What I talked to him about, he was very positive. He has a knack for turning all those things into positives.
– He has a guerilla character. I wish Antti all the best and cheers for the battle he is going through, two-time world champion Sallinen continues seriously.
Last spring, Törmänen led the Biel/Bienne team to the finals of the Swiss league even when he was ill. It was a big deal.
Bring the spirit
Olympic champion and two-time world champion Toni Rajala played under Antti Törmänen for five seasons. TIMO KUNNARI
Toni Rajala played under Törmänen for five years. The striker recalls the emotional moments of last spring.
– He already knew about it before the playoffs. He kept it in the dark from everyone during the first round series against Bern. Hats off to Ant for that. Then when he told the team, it gave everyone an extra boost.
– After that information, the guys wanted to show Anti more and more, play for him, Rajala times.
– I have seen Antti a couple of times at the beginning of the season. He looked perfectly fine. Let’s hope that everything goes well, the treatments are effective and Antti will be able to coach again at some point. We wish him all the best.
Chemotherapy
The 52-year-old Törmänen told Iltalehti about his situation in May.
– Now let’s go with chemotherapy. It continues until the middle of September every two Fridays, after which there is one flute. Sometimes you have to recover and try to get your values right so that you can get treatment again the following week.
Biel’s organization still relies on Finnish coaching expertise. Petri Matikainen and Juha Vuori are piloting the team now.
– I wish Anti all the best, that he will get better. I have been in contact with Antti, for the first time already in the summer. He visited the hall a couple of times, says Matikainen.