World champion Miika Koivisto has high expectations in Vaasa, but atro Leppänen’s trick is not required to repeat.
- Atro Leppänen, who moved from Sport to North America last season, made history by winning the league points as a defender.
- On Miika Koivisto’s return home, Sport gets a new top box in a big role, but Leppänen’s boots are not reconciled.
- Koivisto made his debut in his breeding club in the league until the age of 35.
World Champion 2019, Finnish Champion 2018, SHL Champion 2021 and 2023 – Miika Koivisto Returning after 13 years to its breeding club Vaasa Sport was one of the most significant news in the league’s transfer market.
– After all, this has been expected in a way, Koivisto says, referring to the fact that the transfer to Sport was pending a few years ago.
– Now was the idea that it is now or never. Good thing that was realized, the 35-year-old defender says of his two-year contract.
The stomach of the fly
In the last two seasons, Koivisto represented Kärpp, especially in the second season, with a tough score, with 37 power markings in the regular season and 12 playoffs.
– Profitally, it went quite well in itself, but it was quite turbulent, he sums up.
After the difficult steps, the Kärpät, which had stretched to the bronze in 2024, collapsed last spring to the weakest of their league history to 13th.
– In a couple of years, playing there was certainly not easy for many. The other season we got a pretty good result from there, but last season was quite a stomach, Koivisto times.
Koivisto, who made 24 points in 41 matches until the end of the 41 -points, did not go to Via Dolorosa from Oulu, as he played last spring Olli Jokinen Coaching SHL in Timrå.
Leading role
In addition to these championships, Koivisto also has two Mestis championships. He won them when he was last represented by Sport at the beginning of the last decade.
The man’s CV also includes the League All-Stars selection and the Best Defender Pekka Rautakallio Award (2016-17), the League Defender Victory (2017-18), the KHL’s All-Stars match (2019) and the 2021 World Championships in the spring.
The upcoming season is only the first in the league in the Sport shirt for one of the brightest star of the Vaasa junior path. In the past, Koivisto has carried KalPa, Luke and Jukuri jersey in the league.
Koivisto’s merits play a big role as a leader and as an example as Sport tries to improve the best investment in his league history last season. In the playoffs, KooKoo’s defeated but bent team eventually ended up in eighth place.
The time was the first when the Vaasa disposal was single -digit.
– It is clear that this experience has to bring the help that the world has accumulated over the years to change that Sport is not the underdog every time, Koivisto outlines.
– It doesn’t happen in an instant, but piece by piece.
SaiPa model
However, SaiPa, who has risen from Jumboos to silver in the previous two seasons, showed last season that a big change is possible even in a short time. It gives faith to other little clubs in the league, which Sportkin is one.
– Of course it inspires, but it must be remembered that very rarely do any instant winnings come here. One day at a time, Koivisto recalls.
– As boring as it sounds, that’s where it leaves. With SaiP, it left immediately and they immediately got it rolling. Hope we get, but you can’t just think at that moment.
Atron boots
Last spring, Koivisto appeared in Sweden.
– The man’s ability to have the best thing about how the rest of the season went in a high -end series in SHL. He was able to play a big role from Timrå’s team, playing high-quality over, sub-and equitables up to the playoffs, Sport’s head coach Juuso Hahl He praised when the club under the May Day announced its peak acquisition.
In Sport, an assistant coach who plays defenders Janne Grönvall Promises Koivisto a big role.
“It’s great that my own breeder of Vaasa has been brought back to Sport,” Grönvall rejoices.
– With his own good job, he is a good example for our young players.
Sport Atro Leppänen Historically won the entire league points market as a defender last season. Koivisto is also skilfully known as a defender that supports attacks, but Leppänen’s boots who moved to the Edmonton Oilers organization will not be mediated for him.
– No boots are put to anyone, but everyone is themselves, Grönvall says.
– That culture of winning “Manu” and another world championship winning player Simon Hjalmarsson are able to share with the team.
Still to the race?
Miika Koivisto last played in the World Cup in Tampere in 2023. Jussi Saarinen
Koivisto is aware of the high expectations of the club and supporters.
– Well you have to play. Otherwise, what is fooled in the booth will be left to its own worth, he knows.
– But what it is to play well, that’s what the coaches demand to play. That’s what I try to do my best.
Koivisto has represented Finland at the Olympics and four World Cups, most recently in the spring of 2023.
Are the Lions still interested?
– Let’s just say that as a family man is not the number one priority. But you never know if the games go very well. If that call comes, then you have to think on a case -by -case basis, Koivisto says.
– However, I have not been terribly sacrificing thoughts.