“Of course I would be interested if someone called me. But it’s not that my goal is to get into the NHL. It would be great to get there. I could train better than many who work there right now. If anyone offers an opportunity, I’ll start thinking. , “said Yuk Jalonen, 59, who has made the most success of his career for the Finnish national team.
Not only did he triumph at the Beijing Olympics, but he also became a world champion twice, in 2011 and 2019. Jalonen also holds the title of U20 World Championship, silver and bronze, as well as Olympic bronze. In 2006, when he had not yet led any national team in Finland, Jalonen became the local league champion with HPK.
There has been one head coach from Finland in the history of the NHL – Alpo Suhonen 2000/01. led the Chicago Blackhawks, but was replaced in the middle of the season. He previously worked as an assistant in two clubs, while Jalonen had no experience in North America.
Jalonen is a great coach, he’s guided Finnish national teams to gold medals at the World Junior, World Championship and now the Olympics.
The question marks: experience (he’s never coached in North America), age (he’s almost 60) and language (his English isn’t great). https://t.co/BCCazKA8dQ
— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) February 20, 2022
Resources used:
https://www.is.fi/olympialaiset/art…
