Antti Pennanen is the next head coach of the Lions.
Antti Pennanen will leave Ilves after this season and become the head coach of the A national team. JAAKKO STENROOS / AOP
Jukka Jalonen will leave the position of head coach of the national ice hockey team after next spring’s World Cup.
Jalonen’s successor is 44 years old Antti Pennanen. The matter was confirmed to Iltalehte on Thursday.
Hämeenlinlainen is signing a 2+1-year contract with the Ice Hockey Association, which was published as a three-year contract.
The paper has not been signed yet.
Pennanen was informed of his selection last week.
The federal board of the ice hockey association meets on Thursday and deals with the head coach issue. At the meeting, the preparatory working group will present Penna as the next head coach of the Lions.
60-year-old Jalonen has won a lot in the national team. There are three men’s WC gold medals, an Olympic gold medal and an under-20 WC gold medal in the trophy cabinet.
News about Pennanen’s selection Häme Sanomat on Tuesday.
The lynx remains
Jukka Jalonen has done a good job at the helm of the Lions. The man from Riihmäki still hasn’t got a job in the NHL. Next, Jalonen is looking at a job in the Central European money leagues. PDO
Pennanen is currently coaching Tampere Ilves, which he piloted to bronze in the League last season.
He won the league championship at the helm of HPK in the spring of 2019.
During his career, Pennanen has also worked as the head coach of Finland’s under-20 team and assistant coach of the Lions. In Nuori Leijon, he achieved World Championship silver and bronze.
At this stage, there is no information about Pennanen’s assistant coaches in the 2024–25 season.
The ice hockey association’s original plan is to announce a new head coach in the near future.