Pasi Nurminen reviewed the Pelicans’ performance and the upcoming “super season”.
The Lahti Pelicans’ season in the Norwegian Hockey League ended on Tuesday. Koovola’s KooKoo was better in the fifth quarter-final match with 4–1 goals and won the series with the same numbers.
Pelicans chairman Pasi Nurminen, who has been less in the public eye in recent years, saw both positives and room for improvement in the season.
– The Pelicans returned as a playoff team. Does it satisfy? Probably to the extent that the leap from the bottom to this point is reasonable, Nurminen said.
Last season, the Pelicans played in the qualifiers. Now the regular season ranking was 11th and the final ranking was 7th.
– On the other hand, as is always the case in sports, I would like more of it. KooKoo was a tough opponent. We couldn’t quite match the intensity that came against us, Nurminen estimated.
– In the final stages, it was sad that just when the blocks started to fall into place, the pieces fell out. Training well at a suitable level of requirements and staying healthy is probably the thing.
Pasi Nurminen influences the background of the Pelicans. Tomi Natri / AOP
The body continues
Like other major league teams, the Pelicans will play next season for a place in the sun, i.e. in the first league.
Next season, everyone’s goal is to reach the top 14 in the regular season.
– I think the Pelicans will start next season in a really good position. We have a stable body of players, on top of which it is good to develop other activities. We have players who have shown that the level is enough to succeed.
The Pelicans have secured for the upcoming season, among others, the top four of this season’s internal point exchange: Aidan Dudas, Roni Karvinen, Michal Jordan and Oskars Batna.
The Pelicans reached the top eight, which was considered a surprise after the regular season. Sasu Järnstedt / AOP
Goalkeeper Patrik Bartosak, who played a top season, also continues.
– More touches to the team and an intact playing season, then it will be good and we will aim for success, Nurminen said.
How does it personally feel that in the coming season the pressures will be such that have not been experienced in living memory?
– The stakes are high in the office every season and also on the field. It doesn’t change the setting. After all, this is the entertainment business produced by top sports. You’d think a super season like this would really get people going. There really isn’t a tougher treat on offer. There are a lot of emotions and right from the beginning of the season we start playing.
– If anyone has ever thought that there will be a little less meaningful matches in the fall, then there aren’t any now. Now let’s go right from the beginning.
Change at the office
Pelicans CEO changes.
Since 2020, he has been the CEO of Lahtelaiseura Lauri Pöyhönen changes job and becomes the CEO of the car sports organization AKK Motorsport.
The new general manager of the Pelicans is Juuso Pulliainenwho has already worked in the club for a long time with the title of partnership manager.
