Pekka Virta is happy about the tension between the Jokers and Kiekko-Espoo in Mestis.
Mestis kicks off on Thursday with the top match Kiekko-Espoo–Jokerit. The game is played in Espoo and about 7,000 tickets have been sold. The metro arena is sold out.
The shocking return of the hated and loved Jokers, the club of yesteryears, and Kiekko-Espoo’s success and quick league dreams guarantee good visibility for the second highest league level.
Tensions interest people.
– All in all, I look at this matter with great joy. That is the advantage of Finnish ice hockey. Making these teams has clearly boosted Mestis’ activities. Hopefully now TuTo, Joensuu, Imatra and other clubs that have even a little bit of resources will start to grow their own activities, says Iltalehti expert Pekka Virta.
Espoo’s losses
Kiekko-Espoo beat Mesti last season. Still, the organization made ugly losses for the season. TOMI NATRI / AOP
Kiekko-Espoo and Jokerit want to join the League in the future. Espoo has announced that it will aim for the SM league on a fast schedule, already for the 2024–25 season, but the SM league is not accepting new applications for league places for that season yet.
Kiekko-Espoo’s most recent financial statement revealed that the club made a loss of a whopping 397,000 euros in the last fiscal year. The company’s turnover was 950,000 euros.
It seems that, in a financial sense, Kiekko-Espoon’s Liigapaikka will be a reality in the fall of 2025 at the earliest.
The league has clearly stated that it will take on new partners based on sporting and financial aspects – both must be in order.
Important Mestizo
Kiekko-Espoo will face Jokerit in the opening game of the season. A fierce game is coming. TOMO NATRI / AOP
Virta reminds us of the importance of a vibrant Mesti.
– When the series is interesting, it produces more junior hockey players for the regions. Young people who want to play hockey. And that is the lifeblood for this sport in this small country to be able to produce top players in the future.
– We always talk about the quality of puck making. However, nothing replaces mass, Virta reminds.
Listen to Pekka Virtra’s thoughts about Mestis in the video that is the main image of the story.