The Ilves team will change tremendously after this season.
Eemeli Suomi leaves Ilves. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Eemeli Finland, Ville Meskanen, Niklas Friman, Jakub Málek, Samu Bau, Daniel Gazda, Juuso Könönen, Juha Rautanen, Mike O’Leary, Kalle Väisänen and Adam Najman.
These 11 players leave the lynx. The club announced the matter on their website.
In addition Tommi Niemelän Else the assistant coaches from the leading coaching team Pasi Saarinen and Lauri Merikivi.
The Ilves season ended last Friday for a bronze match against Lock. The tassel ears left the match as winners.
“A huge meaning”
Especially club legend Eemeli Finland’s transition to other landscapes feels.
– Eemel has played a huge role in the construction and rise of the new lynx to the top of the league. He has been key players in our team and the entire league for years and with his own work and commitment, surely deserved his place in the heart of every Ilves supporter, CEO of Ilves Risto Jalo Comment.
Another big name is Olympic champion and world champion Niklas Friman, 31, who served as captain of Ilves in the 2023-2025 period.
– Niklas has been an excellent captain Ilves for the last two years. He has fulfilled the demanding obligations of the captain in the field, in the locker room and outside the field, Ilves’ sports director Timo Koskela praises.