The national team under the age of 20 will play two World Championships over the next seven months – under different head coaches.
Tomi Lämsä worked for five seasons in coaching Salavat Yulayev Ufa, the last two of them as head coach. EMIL HANSSON / AOP
The future coaching patterns of Finland’s second most important national hockey team, ie the national team under the age of 20, are beginning to take shape.
According to information received by Iltalehti Tomi Lämsä is very close to a two – year agreement with the Finnish Hockey Association. The job description would also include the role of a top sports leader in some form – alone or as a shared job description.
Hard experience
The 42-year-old Lämsä coached KHL team Ufa in the last five seasons. For the first three seasons, Lahti was in the role of a helper. For the past two seasons, the man served as the head coach of the KHL Grand Club.
Lämsä decided to end his career in Russia because the country is waging an offensive war against Ukraine.
Lämsä would be a tough acquisition for the Young Lions bench and union.
Abroad?
It is known that the parties have not yet signed the shopper, because Lämsä is also attracted to other directions.
The man has negotiating contact with one or more NHL teams.
In the world’s toughest hockey league, three organizations are currently putting their coaching in a new faith.
In Central Europe, the DEL team Mannheim has asked many Finnish coaches, as well as the Swiss league SCL Tigers Langnaus.
However, jobs abroad are precarious because there are a lot of candidates for them. Therefore, Lämsä may well take on the double role of the Hockey Association.
First Pennanen
Antti Pennanen will lead the national team under the age of 20 to the World Championships in Edmonton in August. JAAKKO STENROOS / AOP
Antti Pennanen coached the U20 team last season. Pennanen’s wash was to end at last year’s World Cup. The tournament was suspended due to a coronavirus and was postponed after August for consideration.
Kari Jalonen had already been selected as the new head coach of the Young Lions, but the man suddenly moved to the helm of the Czech men’s national team.
That is why the place has been open in recent months.
The cabinet may have already made the decision that Pennanen will lead the under-20 national team in the August replacement World Cup, which will be played in Edmonton. The Hockey Association will inform about this in the near future.
After that, Lämsä will probably take the reins in the Young Lions.