Jokerit gets a new start in Mesti.
Part of the ownership ladder of the Helsinki Jokers Ossi Väänänen was a relieved man after the organization’s first press conference. Jokerit was told by the chairman of the board Mikko Saarnin guided by the goals of the club, the current situation and the roster of the representative team.
Väänänen and other members of the club management have behind them the multi-stage application process for the club and Mestis license. Even during May, Jokerit was without a CEO, until a familiar man arrived in the emergency Antti-Jussi Niemi.
– There was work in all of that. Now it’s up to us to make it happen, commented Väänänen.
Club legend Ossi Väänänen is a co-owner of Helsingin Jokerit Oy. JOONA RISSANEN
When the Jokerit left the KHL in the spring of 2022, the representative team was owned by Russian owners and could not, for understandable reasons, have returned to the Finnish leagues. During a year Teemu Selänne and Joel Harkimo tried to save Jokerit with their limited companies, but Naurava Narri Oy and Team Jokerit Oy did not make it to the finish line in their projects.
The third attempt was successful and Jokerit got a league place from Mesti thanks to the new owner base. Väänänen mentions that Selänne and Harkimo have stayed away from the activities of Helsingin Jokerit Oy.
– We haven’t been in contact. After all, this has been its own pattern, when there were three parties trying. Laughing Narrin negotiated first and failed.
– Then it was Jolle’s turn. Jolle understood that the mountain is impossible to climb. He ended up doing a great job and dropped the trademark. Fortunately, there have never been any overlaps and we have not interfered in each other’s affairs, Väänänen thanks.
Väänänen mentions that Selänne and Harkimot are always welcome to watch the Jokers’ matches.
– Everyone is aware of their importance. Teemu and Harkimot always belong to the joker family.
No talk of the KHL
Jokerit heads to Mesti. Pictured are Väänänen, sports director Olli-Pekka Yrjänheikki, CEO Antti-Jussi Niemi, chairman Mikko Saarni and coach Tero Määttä. JOONA RISSANEN
Jokerit played the years 2014–2022 in the KHL. In the press conference, as a rule, the series played in Russia was not discussed, but the topics were related to the upcoming Mestis season.
Väänänen, who has worn the Jokerit shirt since the age of seven, reminds us that the KHL years are always part of the club’s history. During his playing career, he represented the team in the first two KHL seasons.
– You can’t hide or cover it up. I was there playing too. It was then.