The lion legend snarled at his new team at the World Cup camp: “Why are you playing hockey?”

Petteri Nummelin will continue next season in the Swiss premier league as assistant coach of the Ajoie team. At the World Championships, the man is part of the Latvian coaching team. PDO

As a player, Petteri Nummelin represented Finland in the men’s World Cup a whopping 15 times, more often than any other Finn. This spring, the puck cosmopolitan is in a new situation and role.

The native of Turku is part of the coaching team of the host Latvia.

– My path to Latvian coaching opened up because the head coach Harjins Vitolins called in the fall and asked to join. I was immediately interested, but first I did some background work. I called Jukka Jalose, Jukka Koivu and Kalervo Kummola about it – and of course to my father, says Nummelin.

The coach’s father is Timo Nummelina player legend and former coach himself.

– Good instructions and support came from everyone. I wanted to call Kummola because I represented Leijon so much in my time. He was taken from the ring.

Sleeper

Nummelin currently earns his living as an assistant coach of the Ajoie team in the Swiss premier league. Pesti will continue next season.

The man is on a “gig” in the Latvian national team.

Supported by the home crowd, Latvia is ready to surprise.

– I have a feeling that if this team stays united, you don’t know what will happen. We beat Switzerland in the training game. If the team is able to play as well in the tournament, we can see surprises, the 50-year-old TPS student thinks.

– Our goal is in Tampere. I haven’t been to the new hall yet. Now it would be nice to see the arena, says Nummelin, and that means that the follow-up games of the WC tournament, which starts on Friday, will be played in Tampere.

The second group of the preliminary series will be played in Tampere and the second in Riga.

“Where is the joy”

Nummelin was on the Latvian team’s trip to a tournament in Norway in November. In December, the country played in Slovakia.

The picture of the Latvian puck personality is starting to take shape.

– These are very conscientious. They don’t complain. You are very involved in what you are doing. No training is missed.

At the beginning of the World Cup camp, Nummelin had to lighten the mood.

– We did the first couple of training sessions, the players were really serious. I asked the head coach at the same time if I could take Pak in my group. I did, and the Packs lined up like schoolboys. I said quite bluntly and with a bit of forceful words, where is your smile and joy? Why do you play hockey?

– The atmosphere lightened up, and since then the players have been smiling. I don’t like being called a coach. These are people who obey a little authority, but I’ve had a really good time.

A genuine person

As a coach, Nummelin wants to be authentic.

– I am myself in this matter. You can’t be fake in front of a group. It catches on quickly.

As a player, the native of Turku saw plenty of different coaching styles and coaches.

– Many have left something behind. There were also coaches who I don’t want to take anything from.

A big species

Ice hockey is a big sport in Latvia. The country will host the World Cup tournament in 2021, but due to corona restrictions, was only allowed to admit spectators to the games in the middle of the tournament.

The games were not a goldmine for the country’s federation. Now the association can now acknowledge the matter to its passionate fans.

– After all, there have been hassles and media events here. The fan event was in a shopping center in Riga. The team will be followed. The fans here are great. I already remember that from my playing years. The tournament can already be seen quite well in the street view.

Lions: whoah whoah

Although Nummelin has lived abroad for years, he still follows Finnish puck closely.

The puck man knows the level of the Lions.

– When we include those last reinforcements, i.e. Kaapo Kakko and Mikko Rantanen, then huh, huh. We already know in advance how Finland will play, and on top of that, those guys. Finland is unlikely to play for fifth place, Nummelin laughs.

– Finland is the tournament’s biggest champion favorite.

Russia out

Latvia did not include KHL players in the World Cup team. A couple would have been available.

Nummelin has a clear opinion that Russia was excluded from the World Hockey Championships this season as well.

– This is such a big thing, but it is the right decision as long as the war in Ukraine continues.

Latvia’s tournament starts with a bang, when the country faces Canada in its opening game late on Friday.