Olli Määtt goes to the World Championships with good feelings.
Olli Määttä, 31, is one of the Lions’ most experienced guards when the eyes turn to the World Hockey Championships starting on May 15.
The defender from Jyväskylä brings with him a significant amount of experience, as he has two Stanley Cups, two Olympic bronze medals and a World Cup silver under his belt.
The upcoming tournament will be Määtä’s fourth at the World Cup level. In addition, he has represented Finland twice at the Olympics, played in the World Cup in 2016 and was also part of last year’s four-country top tournament.
Määtta is clearly motivated about the upcoming tournament.
– Great feelings when you get to play big games again and a bit like taking measurements again, Määttä stated to the media on Tuesday.
The story continues after the picture.
Olli Määtä has his fourth World Championships ahead of him. Henri Kärkkäinen
The Lions’ final World Cup group has not been named yet, but according to Määtä, the team’s foundation already looks strong at this stage. He emphasized that the goals are unequivocal, regardless of who ends up wearing the jersey.
– We want to succeed. Yes, the Finnish team always has a chance and a goal to win there.
Moving to Calgary
The experienced defenseman has already played in the NHL in the ranks of six different clubs, but the call-up to the national team is still something that does not need to be weighed for a long time.
The rhythm of this season has been exceptional, which has contributed to his decision to join.
– In the early season, I went a couple of months without playing and it felt like there were two seasons in one season, when the early season and then after the Olympics this second one. There is energy and the body feels good, of course.
Määttä, representing the Calgary Flames in the season that ended, made headlines with the transfer that took place in the middle of the season. He transferred from the Utah Mammoth to Calgary just after the Olympic break.
In Utah, the role remained smaller and the effects were modest, but in the new environment the game was released quickly. In the Calgary jersey, the results were 2+12=14 in 21 matches, while in Utah the balance was 0+1 in 22 matches.
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Määtä found its way in Calgary. PDO
Määtta saw several clear reasons for his cheerfulness. The key role was played both by the increased responsibility and the successful performances at the Olympics.
– Got a big role [Calgaryssa] and a lot of confidence. Got to play a lot, yes it affects the game. I got to challenge myself and see what it’s enough for.
– Oh, how lucky that the Olympics happened to be that season and I got to show off a bit. It felt like the season was completely turned upside down.
“I don’t know if I would have believed in myself”
Määtt is excitedly waiting for the World Cup. Henri Kärkkäinen
Playing in the national team is still a special thing for Määtä, even though he has accumulated a lot of experience. He especially emphasizes the culture of the Lions, where individuals merge strongly in the interest of the team.
– That’s great. If I had imagined as a little boy that I would have gotten to play so many times wearing a Lions shirt, I don’t know if I would have believed in myself. These are really great things. I think it’s great to come here.
– Even though different guys come, it always feels like there is a really united team and egos are left at home. There are no egos of any kind, everything is done for the team. That’s probably why so many people want to come here.
The World Ice Hockey Championships will be played in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland, from 15 to 31 May 2026. Before this, the Lions will gather for the last preparatory camp in Sweden, when the last EHT tournament of the season is coming up.
Määtt Aleksander Barkov, Anton Lundell, Lenni Hämeenaho, Urho Vaakanainen, Justus Annunen, Teuvo Teräväinen, Ville Heinola, Nikolas Matinpalo, Henri Jokiharju and Joonas Korpisalo have already been named to the World Championships.
