The long-term president of the ice hockey association has some serious things to say about SM-liiga oy’s decisions on Thursday night.
Kalervo Kummola is not satisfied with all the decisions of the SM league. Jussi Saarinen
The SM league will continue in the 2027–2028 season with 14 teams. There are 10 teams in the so-called B-league.
It was not the end result that puck cartridge Kalervo Kummola was expecting.
– With that decision, the B-league was now thrown under the bus. Actually, I hope that one of the teams that wanted this 14+10 team model will end up in the B-League and experience what it’s like to play there. The same mistakes are being made here now as 10 years ago.
– This groping does not give a good picture of the SM league’s decision-making. There were letters from Aces of all the world and others. But I guess that feeling will end for a while now. If you think about the good sides, it’s good that they were able to make a decision, Kummola says to Iltalehte.
– It would now be important to tear up the old shareholder agreements, Kummola continues.
“Just fine”
Kiekko-Espoo and TPS both want to join the A-series in the 2027–2028 season. AOP / MATTI RAIVIO
The members of the SM league ended up with a 14+10 model, even though just a couple of weeks ago in an informal meeting, a large part supported a 12+10 team series. It means that some teams slipped from the front and turned their coat.
Many fingers are pointed in the direction of the Tampere teams Tappara and Ilves.
Do you think these decisions are more positive or negative?
– It’s going well.
“Super season” in between
There will be many teams in the SM league next season. Jussi Määtt / AOP
We go to the new 14+10 model through the so-called super season, which means that 18 teams may play in the League next season.
Next season, the best 12 in the regular season advance to the playoffs.
The teams ranked 13–16 in the regular season play for a place in the higher league: two continue at the top, two move down.
Those ranked 17th and lower will move directly to the lower league for the 2027–28 season.
There is no qualification between Mesti and Liiga during the transition period.
The change requires the approval of the Ice Hockey Federation to be implemented. The federal council discussed the matter on Saturday.