Sami Kauhanen jumps into Matti Nurminen’s boots

Sami Kauhanen moved from the Jokers to the Ice Hockey League. Petteri Paalasmaa / AOP

Sami Kauhanen is the new CEO of the Finnish Hockey Association.

– The Swedish Ice Hockey Federation will get a competent and versatile CEO in Sam, whose heart beats for ice hockey, chairman Harri Nummela commented in the announcement.

Kauhanen has been managing director of Jokerit Hockey Club Oy since February. He has previously also worked at Hippos and Veikkaus in Finland.

– Sami has been involved in ice hockey in many different roles: as a player, coach, team leader and currently as a board member of Kiekko-Espoo ry. The Jääkiekkoliitto is first and foremost a service organization for its clubs, which is why it is definitely a plus that the CEO has practical experience in club life, says Nummela.

The current CEO of the Ice Hockey Association Matti Nurminen takes over as Secretary General of the IIHF.

– Ice hockey is the favorite sport of Finns and the CEO of the Ice Hockey Association was given the top spots in Finnish sports management, says Kauhanen.

– Together with the federation’s organization, clubs and stakeholders, we will continue to work to ensure that hockey as a sport will continue to do well in the future.

Kauhanen’s exact start date is not yet known. An experienced puck boss operates as the interim managing director Heikki Hietanen.