Teemu Pulkkinen is the only Finnish player in the KHL.
Teemu Pulkkinen has decided to stay in the Russian-led KHL. Antti Nikkanen
Playing in the Russian-led, multinational KHL hockey league Teemu Pulkkinen has broken the silence towards the media.
Pulkkinen, who signed a contract with Kunlun Red Star based in China, is the only Finnish player in the KHL. Now he told the Russian state-owned news agency Tassi superficially about his decision to continue in the KHL.
– I waited a bit to see what options I have and what would happen in the player market. When the opportunity came, I accepted the offer, Pulkkinen said For the cup.
Pulkkinen has not commented on his decision to play in Russia to the Finnish media.
Kunlun published Pulkkinen’s contract at the end of September, when the team had already played 13 matches. The team is currently on a seven-game losing streak. According to Tassi, Pulkkinen joined Kunlun’s training squad on October 7.
– I’m in a good shape. Hopefully I won’t need too many matches to be ready. To be honest, I need a few matches for that, Pulkkinen told Tassi.
Pulkkinen has played continuously in the KHL since the 2018–19 season. When Russia attacked Ukraine in early 2022, Pulkkinen was the only Finnish hockey player who remained in Russia. At that time, he played in the Traktor Chelyabinsk team.
Pulkkinen has commented on playing in the KHL to the Finnish media only once, when MTV Urheilu managed to get the man on the phone in June 2022.
– Yeah, I don’t… I’m not… And there’s nothing here. I don’t want to take any position on this, Pulkkinen said according to MTV Urheilu at the time before hanging up the phone.
Pulkkinen is automatically out of the Finnish national team with his KHL selection.