TAMPERE, FINLAND – Ilves, a former powerhouse of Finnish hockey, is looking for new identity and route to success. The NHL has the Montreal Canadiens. The oldest franchise and the franchise that has amassed the most Stanley Cup victories. Finland has Ilves, Tampere (Lit translation: Lynx). Ilves has won the Finnish championship more times than anyone cares to remember, but the once storied and successful franchise has become everything but the picture of success it once was. Now, it is mainly used as a case study of how to get it completely and utterly wrong.
Though all hope is not lost for Ilves, although since the turn of the century the club has faced two near-miss bankruptcies, head coach that was investigated for fraud (Curt Lindstrom who coached Finland to World Champions in 1995), player acquisitions with zero or hardly any scouting and fans protesting their displeasure with the club by staging a walk out mid way through a regular season game in the 2009-2010 season.
However, Ilves looks to kick the old habits as the whole of the ‘kabinet’ section has been re-designed. At the end of the season the team let go most of the front office staff including the General Manager and has mainly recruited to fill these roles. Though the team has been put together, it is a completely new look Ilves to what we are used to seeing.
New look
Ilves has gone with the Colorado Avalanche formula from last season. It is relying on young talent and has brought one of the brightest hopes of Finnish hockey back to its fold. Ilves recently announced that it has acquired Toni Rajala, who was drafted by Edmonton Oilers in last years’ draft.
Ilves has experience behind the bench as well as the living icon, Ilves’ own Henri Richard, Raimo Helminen is filling a role of an assistant coach. Helminen is well known abroad, despite never making a big name for himself in the NHL. The former playmaker has played in more Olympics and the most international matches than any other player.
Ilves has also put a lot of faith in a former hopeful, Jesse Niinimaki. Many might go Jesse who? But Niinimaki was drafted in the first round in 2002 as Detroit’s Valtteri Filppula (Filppula was 95th overall). Niinimaki is a gifted player, in fact many say he has more gifts than Santa clause, but his work ethic and off ice training have come under a lot of criticism. In fact Niinimaki has represented 7 different clubs in two and a half seasons. Though in Niinimaki’s defence, his production has started to increase and last season he put up a respectable 34 points (14+20) in 55 games.
Ilves also has possibly one of the better goalies in the Finnish league at the moment in Jani Hurme. Many might remember him as the netminder for Ottawa Senators. Hurme’s career has been anything but rosy and he missed two seasons due to severe illnesses. Hurme stayed healthy until 2008-2009 season, when he missed the entire season due to spinal injuries. Hurme is a decorated netminder, and during 2009-2010 season he was the remaining lock behind a weak defence.
Local Rivalry
Tampere is a home for two teams and is rich in its hockey heritage. The Finnish hockey hall of fame is located in Tampere (approximately 100 miles north of Helsinki). The local rivals for Ilves is Tappara. Interestingly, as it was with Jokerit and HIFK, Ilves and Tappara share the same rink, despite the heated rivalry between the two teams, the derby matches are not compared to the ferocity of HIFK and Jokerit in Helsinki.
Despite this, the teams’ following is loyal and the Ilves v Tappara matches usually provide great entertainment for the spectators.
The Future
Ilves is undoubtedly in the same situation the Toronto Maple Leafs have been in, but now it seems that the team has a good direction and it might take a while till Ilves snaps its longest drought without a title.
The team is young and is a bit of a question mark coming into the season, but for once it would seem like there has been some sense behind player acquisitions and that the money has been spent wisely, rather than investing on players who are out of shape and shipped out by the time they begin to hit their stride.
Whatever the outcome of this season will be for Ilves, it is a start of a slow re-building process that will see the team return to its former glory.
City: Tampere, Finland
Founded: 1931
Home Arena and Capacity: Hakametsan Jaahalli (Hakametsa Arena), 7,600
Colours: Green, gold yellow, black
Championships: 16 (9 times Silver, 12 times Bronze)
Notable Players: Tuukka Rask (Boston Bruins), Vesa Toskala (Currently UFA), Raimo Helminen (Retired, current Assistant coach), Perttu Lindgren (Dallas Stars), Toni Rajala, Jyrki Lumme (retired, current part owner), Tony Salmelainen, Ville Koisitinen (Currently UFA)
Contact the author Janne.Virtanen@Prohockeynews.com
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