Story Summary
Kimmo Rintanen, back at TPS after five seasons as an assistant coach with Swiss club Kloten in the NL, is encouraged by the strong start from TPS’s L-line and the club’s power play. Rintanen, who served as TPS assistant coach from 2015-2021 (except 2016-17 when he worked with the A-junior team), now oversees the team’s power-play work. He highlighted the on-ice chemistry and leadership of the L-line – 26-year-old Lukas Wernblom, 29-year-old Lukas Haudum and 33-year-old Lars Bryggman – and noted that TPS’s only goal against Sport came on the power play during the opening rounds.
Key Facts
- Kimmo Rintanen is TPS assistant coach and responsible for the club’s power play.
- Rintanen served as TPS assistant coach from 2015 to 2021, with the 2016-17 season spent as an A-junior assistant.
- He spent the previous five seasons working abroad as an assistant coach with Kloten in Switzerland’s NL.
- Rintanen said his return to Finland was welcome because his family is now nearby after living in Switzerland without them.
- Rintanen contrasts Liiga’s more tactical, tight and physical game with the NL’s more open, faster and attack-oriented play, noting greater puck skill among top players in Switzerland.
- TPS’s power play has been performing well in the first three rounds; TPS’s only goal against Sport came on the power play.
- The L-line is formed by Lukas Wernblom (26), Lukas Haudum (29) and Lars Bryggman (33).
- Rintanen said the trio has created many dangerous situations in every game and carries significant responsibility and ice time, including on the power play.
- Off the ice, Rintanen praised the line for setting an example in their roles and behaviour, singling out Bryggman for his experience and understanding of what winning teams require.
- Rintanen described Haudum as competitive, hardworking and eager to develop, and Wernblom as the youngest of the trio who has played effectively and produced consistent results at TPS year after year.
- According to Liiga, Wernblom’s start to the season is historical: no TPS player had previously recorded seven points in the first two games of a season.
IHM Discussion
Rintanen’s return to TPS brings back a coach who knows the club and has extensive experience of Swiss hockey. That dual perspective offers useful context as he oversees the power play. The early evidence is encouraging: TPS’s power play has run smoothly through the first three rounds, and the club’s only goal against Sport came on the man advantage.
The L-line combines Bryggman’s experience, Haudum’s competitive drive and Wernblom’s productive start to the season. Rintanen highlighted both the trio’s on-ice cohesion, particularly in the offensive zone, and its example-setting away from the rink. That blend helps explain the line’s substantial ice time and power-play role early in the campaign.
Rintanen’s comparison of Liiga and the NL also underlines the differing demands of the two leagues. He sees Liiga as more tactical, tighter and more physical, while describing the Swiss game as more open, faster and attack-oriented.
Why It Matters
A functioning power play can be decisive in close Liiga games, and TPS have made an encouraging start on the man advantage. The L-line’s early chemistry, substantial role and leadership example give the club a valuable foundation. If the trio maintains that connection, it can remain an important source of offence and experience for TPS.
Mini Q&A
Who is Kimmo Rintanen and what is his role at TPS?
Kimmo Rintanen is TPS’s assistant coach responsible for the team’s power play; he previously worked as TPS assistant coach from 2015-2021 (except 2016-17) and spent the last five seasons as an assistant at Kloten in Switzerland’s NL.
Which players make up the L-line?
The L-line consists of Lukas Wernblom (26), Lukas Haudum (29) and Lars Bryggman (33).
How has TPS’s power play started the season?
TPS’s power play has been running well in the first three rounds, and the team’s only goal against Sport came on the power play.
What did Rintanen say about the differences between Liiga and the Swiss NL?
Rintanen said Liiga tends to be more tactical, tighter and more physical, whereas the Swiss NL is more open, faster and attack-oriented with more puck skill among top players.
What historical milestone involving Lukas Wernblom was noted?
According to Liiga, no TPS player had previously recorded seven points in the first two games of a season; Wernblom’s start reached that seven-point mark.
Coach Mark Comment
The early value of this line is its ability to create chances while carrying a sizeable workload. The coaching priority is to keep its power-play reads clear and ensure the three forwards remain connected when opponents begin to adjust.
IHM Final View
Rintanen’s return gives TPS a coach with experience of both Liiga and the Swiss NL, while the early power-play form and L-line chemistry offer encouraging signs. Bryggman, Haudum and Wernblom have quickly taken on a significant role for the club.