In July, Aleksi Saarela leaves the army with a curious and positive feeling.
Aleksi Saarela had a two-year extension agreement for the Swiss club SCL Tigers, but it was invalidated because the 28-year-old hockey player goes to the army in July. Aop
- Aleksi Saarela will play in the league next season, but the club is open.
- The attacker goes to the army in July and therefore loses a cash contract in Switzerland.
Aleksi Saarela, 28, who has been hockey in the SCL Tigers in the Swiss League for the last four seasons, will start a conscript service on July 7th. In Finland, the army must be started at the latest during the year when he turns 29.
The second -generation hockey player turns 29 in January.
Last October, the striker signed a two -year extension with Tigers, but the contract paper flew into the sauna nest on Midsummer. It was invalidated because of the departure of the army.
– Of course it is annoying when you have to terminate the contract. However, the fact is that the conscript service has to be done, and now we go there and have a positive mind, the hockey player tells Iltalehti.
Close to the family
Saarela visits the Army Pori Brigade in Säkylä.
Do you think the army will hurt your career?
– I don’t think. I don’t want to think at all that way. Many of my friends have visited the army in Säkylä and they have praised the place.
-Säkylä is a very good place for me because we have a 2.5 year old boy at home and a girl over three months old. We live in Rauma and the drive to Säkylä is just over half an hour, says Saarela.
Bumps have moved
Aleksi Saarela has hit 70 backpacks for the SCL Tigers team for four seasons. Aop
Saarela’s case is exceptional. The attacker goes to military service at the best age of the hockey player and loses hundreds of thousands of euros of wage money due to the army.
– After all, the army could have visited at a very young age, when there were no children. Over the years, I have had several injuries and cuts that have shifted intimate spending over several years.
– For example, both wrists were cut, and I underwent a big shoulder operation. There would probably not have been a good idea to go to the army and shooting range in triangular vapors.
The hockey player does not choose.
– I have not deliberately moved or avoided the army. Now age comes and I’m completely healthy. And as I mentioned, I have a positive mind to go, Saarela explains.
Where do you play?
Saarela has played nine NHL games and 195 games in the AHL in his career. The Swiss hard -working league has gained 178 games and over 200 games in the league.
Saarela has also been seen on the national team.
Surprisingly, a hard -level hockey player is without a contract, and the man will play with confidence next season in the league.
– I don’t know yet which season I will play. I guess this thing came to the clubs just before Midsummer. It’s been quiet, but let’s see what’s where you can find, the player thinks.
Obviously, for Saarela, the optimal option would be to play close to the family and the place of service, whereby Lock, Aces and TPS are probably at the top.
Back to Switzerland
Aleksi Saarela in the Finnish national team shirt in 2023. Aop
Saarela’s playground will be in the league for the upcoming season. After that, the man is expected to return to Central Europe.
– I think I have shown my level in Switzerland. I’ve been able to be a productive player. I didn’t leave the doors from there. Among other things, I am in good relationship with another Langnau owner. We have called and agreed that phone numbers will not be destroyed. I do not see an obstacle to not being able to return to Switzerland.
Saarela has scored 70 goals in the regular season for SCL Tigers in four seasons.