Story Summary
Liiga head coaches say the 2026-27 season – widely discussed as a “superseason” because three bottom teams will be dropped into a new lower B-series for 2027-28 – will test teams’ mental resilience and coaching. HPK head coach Mikko Manner warned: “At least 8-10 teams will be in a small crisis at some point.” Coaches including Sami Tervonen, Lauri Mikkola, Petri Matikainen and Jyrki Aho emphasised calm leadership, adherence to a pre-agreed plan, strong daily routines and the value of experience in managing exceptional pressure.
Key Facts
- The 2026-27 Liiga season is widely described in Finland as a ” superkausi” (superseason) because of the upcoming league reform that will see three teams relegated to the lower B-series for 2027-28.
- HPK head coach Mikko Manner said:” At least 8-10 teams will be in a small crisis at some point.”
- KalPa head coach Sami Tervonen, in his second season as head coach after serving as an assistant on a Finnish championship team, warned that behaviour may change with a team’s standing and underlined the need to keep perspective.
- Sport head coach Lauri Mikkola urged trusting the agreed plan and avoiding panic-driven changes to team identity.
- JYP head coach Petri Matikainen said making major changes out of fear is a sign of fear and advised against radically changing a team’s game.
- Kiekko-Espoo coach Jyrki Aho highlighted that modern players expect more understanding from coaches and that knowing players as people aids pressure management.
- Oulun Kärpät coach Petri Karjalainen and Lukko coach Tomi Lämsä stressed the importance of a close support group in the coaching box and the stabilising effect of daily routines.
- Ässät coach Jarno Pikkarainen recommended cultivating ” awareness” to regulate behaviour under pressure and to prevent pressure from taking over.
- Tappara coach Kari Jalonen noted elite players often display the ability to switch off from the game appropriately and then re-engage when required.
- Multiple coaches said experience in the roster has been a deliberate recruitment focus, adding value during prolonged periods of pressure.
- Many coaches argued that preparation – making the important things second nature – is crucial so players can rely on routine when pressure increases.
IHM Discussion
The coaches’ comments offer a consistent blueprint for handling an unusually intense season: preserve identity, prioritise controllables and protect daily routines. The Liiga restructuring – with three bottom teams set to drop into a new lower B-series for 2027-28 – raises the stakes and places added value on resisting short-term tinkering. Mikko Manner’s forecast that “at least 8-10 teams” will face some form of crisis underlines how widespread the psychological strain may be.
Lauri Mikkola and Petri Matikainen caution against reactive overhauls, while Sami Tervonen and Tomi Lämsä point to process and repetition as tools for managing pressure. There is also a clear human element: Jyrki Aho’s reminder that coaches must know players as people as well as athletes broadens the task beyond tactics. The coaches also highlight the value of experienced players and a close support network within the coaching staff during difficult spells. Liiga is preparing for an extended test of leadership and culture, not just tactics.
Why It Matters
The heightened relegation threat changes incentives across Liiga. Teams that panic and abandon their identity risk making reactive decisions during poor form, while a stable process, player understanding and agreed plans may help a group ride out difficult stretches. For clubs already dealing with financial challenges, relegation could carry serious consequences, adding weight to communication, routines and mental-load management alongside on-ice systems.
Mini Q&A
What do coaches mean by the 2026-27 season being a ” superseason”?
Coaches call it a ” superseason” because the league reform means three teams will be relegated to the lower B-series for 2027-28, raising the competitive and psychological stakes across the campaign.
Which coach warned that many teams will face crises?
HPK head coach Mikko Manner warned:” At least 8-10 teams will be in a small crisis at some point.”
What practical advice did coaches give for dealing with pressure?
Coaches advised trusting and sticking to the pre-agreed plan, maintaining daily routines, recruiting experience, understanding players as people, and keeping the coaching group close and communicative.
Are tactical overhauls recommended during difficult stretches?
No. Petri Matikainen and Lauri Mikkola cautioned against major, fear-driven changes to a team’s game plan.
How will the league reform affect the season’s importance?
Because three teams will be relegated into the B-series for 2027-28, the 2026-27 season carries elevated consequences, making mental resilience and consistent preparation especially significant.
Coach Mark Comment
From a coaching standpoint, the coaches’ consensus is textbook resilience building: control the controllables, repeat the processes and care for the people. When the environment intensifies, leaders must choose what to simplify – not what to multiply. That means clear routines, unambiguous roles and a communication rhythm that reduces noise. Practically, teams should rehearse pressure moments so responses become automatic; this preserves decision quality when emotion runs high. Recruiting experience and investing in the immediate support network in the coaching box are inexpensive ways to stabilise a group under stress.
What Comes Next
The Liiga reform announced in November 2025 takes effect from the 2027-28 season, with three bottom teams from 2026-27 set to drop into the new lower B-series.
IHM Final View
Liiga’s coaching ranks are publicly aligning around a simple, disciplined response to an unusually high-stakes season: preserve structure, emphasise routines and lean on experience and human understanding. That approach does not guarantee safety, but it is the most robust hedge against the psychological volatility the coaches expect to see across the league.