Jussi Jokinen returns to the scene of the WC disappointment. In nine years, the NHL millionaire’s job description has changed significantly.
- Jussi Jokinen was Finland’s captain in the previous World Championships held in Prague.
- The jury’s decision caused a stir in Finland.
- After his career, Jokinen started supporting young athletes financially.
Everything was in the hands of the Lions at the beginning of the third period. Then Jaromir Jagr scrapped dreams.
Former hockey star Jussi Jokinen will return to the memorable venue when the Ice Hockey World Cup is played in the Czech Republic in May. Jokinen was the captain of the Lions when the WC tournament was played in Prague and Ostrava for the last time in 2015.
The Lions’ tournament ended with a quarter-final loss to the Czech Republic.
– We had a team that could have gone all the way. It was a really empty feeling when you knew after the last game that the season was here, Jokinen recalls now.
Jussi Jokinen works as a coach and expert. PASI LEISMA
The Czech Republic opened the scoring in the match, but Finland took a 2–1 lead Tuomo Ruudun and with Jokinen’s hits. The hosts tied the score at 2–2, after which we saw a situation that agitated the Finns.
Juuso Hietanen got the puck into the Czech goal for the third time, but the shot was disallowed. Petri Kontiola got frozen for blocking.
– It cannot be true that this will be a punishment! The Russian duo completely messes up the game, Antero Mertaranta explained exhausted.
Tough place
In the semi-final, we saw a chill that caused beards to rustle. Pasi Liesimaa
Finland was no longer able to take the lead in the match. The dreams were still alive at the beginning of the final set, when Alexander Barkov tied the score at 3–3 from Jokinen’s pass.
Jagr gave the Czech Republic a 4-3 lead four and a half minutes before the end. The final scores 5–3 resulted in an empty goal.
The Czech Republic went to the semi-finals with a home crowd of over 17,000.
– Our feelings were bad, but I remember that full arena. It was one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever played in, says Jokinen.
The Lions had a tough team whose goal was played by an NHL star Pekka Rinne. In addition to the stars mentioned above, the Finnish shirt was worn by, among others Leo Komarov, Esa Lindell, Janne Pesonen and Sami Lepistö.
18 of the Finnish players were from the NHL or KHL. The loss was bitter.
– It was a tough place. It took a while to get over it, Jokinen admits.
Money for young people
Jokinen was the captain of the Lions at the 2015 World Championships. Pasi Liesimaa
In May, Jokinen will return to the Czech Republic as a Viaplay expert. He wants to open up the players’ thoughts to the spectators throughout the tournament.
– I’m really excited. I have been in the national team both as a captain and in a role where my competition passport is not even stamped. There are many moods and thoughts in the team. I’m trying to pass them on to home audiences.
Jokinen has worked this season as an assistant coach of the Finnish under-20 men’s national team and was an expert in Viaplay’s NHL studios.
Helping young athletes is also close to the heart of the former NHL star. He supported pole vaulting’s rise to European champion and World Cup medalist Wilma Murtoa with 60,000 euros in the years 2015–2021.
Now Jokinen is involved Jyrki Louhen in the Sport Fund, which invests in a total of 18 athletes. Alpine skiers, among others, get help Elian Lehto and Rosa Pohjolainen and biathlon Otto Invenius.
– I want to be involved and support the top talents we have. I remember the case of Wilma. I don’t think that the situation has radically improved, based on what I have heard, says Jokinen.
– It would be important for our system to be able to support young top talents even better. They should be offered good food to rise to the top of the world.
The World Cup starts in the Czech Republic on May 10.
Wilma Murto is one of the athletes supported by Jokinen. ATTE KAJOVA