A license application is being prepared in Espoo.
Will Kiekko-Espoon play in the League next season? Matti Matikainen
The presentation of the league’s Thursday evening press conference was received with satisfaction in Espoo. The message was clear: the gate is already open for next season.
– We can apply for the next season, and the League has the opportunity to take one more club, summarizes Amy Rubinsteinchairman of Kiekko-Espoo.
– By the end of the month, we will put in the (league) application.
Once the application is in, the Liiga partners will investigate whether Kiekko-Espoo meets the license requirements.
– Last Wednesday, we received the license terms. A dialogue with the League is still required so that everything is clear, says Rubinstein.
– We have strong confidence that we can meet the requirements. We have been working determinedly for almost six years to be ready in the fall of 2024.
Rubinstein emphasizes that even though right now there is reason to smile a little, there is a lot of work ahead.
– The most important thing is to keep your eye on the ball. There is a lot to do to bring the process to a happy finish.
When is the Finnish ice hockey championship celebrated in Espoo?
– We have an internal idea about it, but let’s keep the rumblings in our stomachs and start building in peace. The biggest value for us is to offer the juniors from Espoo the opportunity to play league hockey in Espoo, but of course we want to be successful.
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The four historic decisions of the SM league
1. Starting from spring 2025 and from then on, there will be annual qualifiers between the last-placed team in the League and the winner of Mestis. The potential aspirant is required to fulfill the Liiga’s valid license conditions.
2. From spring 2024 onwards, Mestis’ victory in the season in question, in addition to winning the League qualifiers, will be added to the League’s license conditions as a condition for promotion to the League.
3. The number of teams in the league will be limited to a maximum of 16 from the 2025–26 season.
4. In the event that the club gives up its league place, the vacant place will not be filled.