Tappara is once again on the hunt for the championship with a convincing group. Especially for the game of superiority, ax chests have to set up ferocious precision weapons.
Years go by and the world changes at a breathtaking pace, but at least one thing remains unchanged. Tappara goes into the SM league season as a big advance favorite again.
The greatness of Tappara is well told by the fact that the club perhaps only got stronger from last season, for example Anton Levtchi, Otto Leskinen and Joona Luoto went in pursuit of the NHL dream.
Star players were replaced with top-tier spot-ups such as Jori Lehterä, Valtteri Kemiläinen and Niko in Ojamäki.
– We have got the very top of Europe. Very tough players and great personalities, Tappara captain Otto Rauhala lingers.
The story continues after the picture.
Valtteri Kemiläinen returned to familiar company. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
The head coach Jussi Tapola also reminds that Tappara is a familiar place for many purchases.
– Fortunately, many of them already have previous experience in Tappara, so they did not come to a completely new environment. The team seems very harmonious and is on a good path.
With his super acquisitions, Tappara has set up an almost NHL-level superior field to the horror of his opponents.
In the “doomsday supremacy five” during the training period, Lehterä played as the conductor, Kemiläinen in the line, Ojamäki in the bombardier’s place, mask man Brother Matti Savinainen and in the center of the square Walter Merelä.
– It has versatility and different variations. It will certainly be a nut for the opponents to crack, Tappara captain Otto Rauhala warns.
– We have partly built the team according to superiority. Let’s see how the players can meet the challenge – the result is expected, Tapola admits.
Continuum
Jori Lehterä is one of the brightest stars in the league. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Tappara knows the organizational continuity process better than any other club in Finland. Culture always carries back decades Kalevi Numminen and Rauno Korven to the stone legs created.
Rauhala aptly encapsulates the core of the culture.
– Sometimes it feels like nothing is good enough. Sometimes it’s heavy, but in the long run it pays off. Enjoying the standard is important to us.
Season after season, the tradition passes from experienced players to younger ones, and in addition, Tappara’s resources have now been improved by a cool new arena.
– I see that in Tappara there are always top players, emerging young players, and then also experienced ones, Tapola reveals the secrets of the dynasty.
– The training culture and dedication are also top class in Europe.
In this season’s team, really long-term experience is represented by, among other things Kristian KuuselaSavinainen, Lehterä and Brother Matti Vittasmäki. They are drawing their lessons from young people, for example Christian Tanus, Petteri Puhakka and Merelä.
For the balance of experience and youth, Tapola comes up with an excellent metaphor.
– Youth is needed so that we know how to go, as it were, into the morning fog without thoughts. If you can’t find your way in the fog, then thanks to experience you can find a compass and a direction to get there.
The lynx purrs
Niko Ojamäki is one of Tappara’s top signings. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
In addition to the high-quality continuation, Tappara’s motivator is strongly driven by local competitor Ilves, who has quickly risen to the top of the SM league.
Last season, both teams from Tampere reached the top four, and both clubs are absolute early favorites this season.
– The interest of the SM league is now strong in Tampere, which we are very happy about, Tapola commented.
Ilves has charmed especially with his fast game and mood on social media, but the most important thing, i.e. success, is still strongly on Tappara’s side.
– After all, this is a pretty great thing here in Tampere, when there are two league teams in good shape. You can see the puffing, especially with this new hall.
As Tampere has shown, local tensions create general interest in the entire series. Tapola hopes that estrus would also return to Helsinki with the possible return of the Jokers.
– I believe that one day the capital region will also be in a similar situation as Tampere is now.
Target board on the back
Tappara starts the new season with a goal on its back, because the reigning champion is always the first team that you want to defeat.
The fact that championship hangovers are unknown is also an essential part of Tappara’s tradition.
– The team is united and committed. Our previous history has been erased, and now we are moving towards something new, Tapola insists.
This season is also partly the end of an era in Tappara, as Tapola is coaching his last season with the club.
What kind of mark does the three-time champion pilot want to leave on the organization?
– I want to leave the fact that our everyday life is very high-quality. It is the kind of thing that would remain as cultural heritage.
A high-quality everyday life can be seen on the rink as consistent execution, repetition of game cornerstones and finding the peak of fitness in the most important moments of the season.
– A winning game includes committed defending, good attacking rhythms and strong special situations. Active winning gaming is our thing.
– We reached our best level in the finals of last season, and I also expect development from this team towards the spring, Tapola says.
Tappara’s hunt for a second consecutive championship begins on Tuesday, when it meets TPS at home in a repeat of last spring’s final.