Joel Harkimo is no longer involved in the Joker’s comeback project, which is a hard piece for the man to swallow.
Joel Harkimo describes that the last few months have been difficult. ATTE KAJOVA
Former owner of Team Jokerit oy Joel Harkimo admits that leaving the hockey organization was a necessary decision, even if it felt difficult.
– To be honest, this final year has been the heaviest of my life, Harkimo writes on Instagram.
Harkimo was the sole owner of the limited company. The news about the relinquishment of ownership was reported last week.
Harkimo reckons that his role in the comeback project had become too big.
– In the fall, I joined the Jokers with full heart and passion. It was never my intention to be a majority owner or a figurehead. In the end, however, it was best for the club that I stay out of the bandwagon.
Jokerit got new owners after Harkimo, whose driving force was the well-known founder and owner of Viima Hockey Mikko Saarni. Former Jokerit players also jumped on the bandwagon Ossi Väänänen, Teuvo Teräväinen and Esa Lindell. In addition to them, there are Markus Selin, Timo Mäkea, Max Seeck and Jokerit ry.
– In spite of everything, I am extremely excited about this new group that is going to pull Jokers.
The ownership ladder that takes the representative team back to the puck map has no connections to the KHL or Russia.
Next Tuesday is a big day for the Jokers. The series place application submitted by the joint-stock company will be processed at the meeting of the Jääkieckoliitto. Jokerit is aiming for Mestis next season and from there back to the SM league, from which the organization left for the KHL in 2014.
The Jokers still have many hurdles to overcome before the men’s team can play. One important question is where the Jokerit will play its home games.