SM league chairman Heikki Hiltunen elaborated on the points of the press release published on Thursday in Iltalehti.
On Thursday, the SM League published an attention-grabbing announcement in which it was announced that the series would remain closed to clubs seeking promotion at least until the 2024–25 season.
Among other things, the captain of Aces Jesse Joensuu comments on the decisions made very frankly. The players’ association also took a strong stand on the matter.
Series Chairman Heikki Hiltunen opened up to Iltalehte in more detail about the points mentioned in the announcement.
The release mentioned that the license terms of the series require review. What kind of review exactly?
– At the May general meeting, the shareholders wanted the conditions to be updated to today’s level and to match the strategy of the SM league. The last time these license conditions and the whole were updated at the general meeting of the SM League about ten years ago.
– The license conditions include, among other things, matters affecting the economy, conditions, sporting success and the agreement between the League and the Ice Hockey Federation.
The SM League said that it sees this as a decision where the same rules apply to everyone. What does it mean that sdo the rules apply to everyone?
– This also affects all clubs currently playing in the SM league. Updated terms apply each year when league licenses are applied for. Every shareholder has to fill them out.
Kiekko-Espoo, which set the goal of promotion to the league in the fall of 2024, expressed its disappointment with this decision. How do you answer them?
– From Kiekko-Espoo’s point of view, this is unfortunate, because they have assumed that they could apply in the coming autumn. This serial system strategy of ours now takes more time when this necessary work comes into play.
– I would like to emphasize that there is also an agreement between the League and the Ice Hockey Federation, which requires a discussion with the federation. It must also be done from below.
Jokerit announced on Thursday that they are aiming for a league place in 2025. Does this have anything to do with the fact that no new league licenses are granted before then?
– Several clubs have expressed their interest in the SM league, and we have taken this into account. We have not examined individual clubs here.
The release also mentioned that “updating the license criteria will increase the overall competitiveness of the SM league”. How does competitiveness increase?
– Our desire is to ensure that the clubs playing in the SM league stay involved in development and growth. This will be examined in the financial terms.
Heikki Hiltunen elaborated on the issues mentioned in the SM league announcement. Jarno Kuusinen, AOP