Tag: TPS

TPS to Face Ässät Without Lukas Haudum in Liiga

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

TPS will be without one of their leading forwards when they face Ässät in Pori on Saturday. Austrian forward Lukas Haudum is absent from the line-up after making a major early contribution to the Turku club’s attack.

Haudum has produced 16 points, made up of five goals and 11 assists, in 11 Liiga appearances. The 29-year-old is TPS’s second-highest scorer and fourth in the league-wide points standings.

Joel Määttä will move into Haudum’s place as first-line centre. TPS will also welcome first-choice goaltender Eetu Mäkiniemi back between the pipes.

Key Facts

  • Lukas Haudum will not be in the TPS line-up for Saturday’s Liiga game against Ässät in Pori.
  • The 29-year-old Austrian forward has recorded 5+11=16 points in 11 Liiga games this season.
  • Haudum is TPS’s second-highest scorer and sits fourth in the Liiga scoring standings.
  • Haudum has played on TPS’s first line with Lukas Wernblom and Lars Bryggman; all three are in the league’s top 10 scorers.
  • Joel Määttä will take Haudum’s role as first-line centre against Ässät.
  • Eetu Mäkiniemi returns between the pipes after leaving Wednesday’s game against HIFK and missing Friday’s line-up.

IHM Discussion

Haudum’s absence removes a player who has been central to TPS’s early attacking output. His 16 points account for a substantial individual contribution, and the change breaks up a first line whose three members have all featured among Liiga’s leading scorers.

Määttä’s move to centre keeps the adjustment within the existing forward group rather than changing the line’s stated role entirely. The immediate task for TPS is to maintain the production and connection established by Haudum, Wernblom and Bryggman without their Austrian forward.

Mäkiniemi’s return gives TPS a significant reinforcement at the other end of the rink. The goaltender had been unable to finish the HIFK game on Wednesday and was then absent from Friday’s squad, making his return an important part of the team news before the trip to Pori.

Why It Matters

TPS are losing their second-most productive player for a game against a Liiga opponent, while also altering their first-line centre position. Haudum’s individual scoring rank and the output of his usual line underline the scale of the attacking change.

At the same time, Mäkiniemi’s return restores TPS’s first-choice goaltender to the line-up. The contrasting personnel news leaves TPS managing a notable forward absence while regaining a key option in goal.

TPS await clarity after Eetu Mäkiniemi injury scare

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

TPS are awaiting further clarity on goalkeeper Eetu Mäkiniemi after he was forced out of their away game against HIFK following the opening period.

Head coach Toni Söderholm said Mäkiniemi was removed as a precaution after an incident in front of goal. Söderholm could not provide a fuller assessment of the goalkeeper’s condition immediately after the game.

" There was a small situation in front of the goal where our goalkeeper ended up in a somewhat difficult position," Söderholm said." As a precaution, we took him out."

Mäkiniemi is TPS’s first-choice goalkeeper, making the uncertainty around his status a significant concern for the Liiga side.

Key Facts

  • TPS goalkeeper Eetu Mäkiniemi left the away game against HIFK after the first period.
  • Toni Söderholm said the withdrawal followed a small incident in front of goal.
  • Söderholm described the decision to remove Mäkiniemi as precautionary.
  • TPS had no further information immediately after the game on the seriousness of Mäkiniemi’s injury.
  • Söderholm, a former HIFK captain and HIFK youth product, said he enjoyed returning to the venue and praised its atmosphere and crowd.

IHM Discussion

The immediate detail is limited, but TPS acted conservatively rather than asking Mäkiniemi to continue after the goalmouth incident. Söderholm’s comments make clear that the club had not yet established the severity of the problem when he spoke.

For now, the important distinction is between a precautionary in-game withdrawal and a confirmed longer-term absence. TPS have confirmed the former, while the latter remains unknown.

Why It Matters

Mäkiniemi’s status matters because he is TPS’s first-choice goalkeeper. Any absence would affect the team’s options in net, but Söderholm did not put a timetable on the situation or indicate how serious the injury may be.

TPS ice fault traced to machine installation error

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

TPS have identified an installation error involving an ice-resurfacing machine as the cause of the ice problem that forced their Liiga regular-season game against Sport to be postponed at Gatorade Center in Turku.

The match was scheduled for last Friday but did not take place after a lengthy delay. Its start was initially pushed back while efforts were made to repair the surface, but the ice could not be made fit for play. Player safety could not be guaranteed, and the decision to postpone was made with Liiga approval following the officials’ assessment.

Kari Rantala, managing director of Koy Turun Monitoimihalli, said supervision and inspection had failed to detect the issue in time. He said the matter had been reviewed with the arena company’s maintenance operation, with changes to preparation and monitoring planned.

TPS and Sport will now play the postponed fixture on Sunday 29 November at 17:00.

Key Facts

  • TPS’s Liiga regular-season fixture against Sport was postponed after ice problems at Gatorade Center in Turku.
  • The game was delayed before being called off because the surface could not be repaired to a playable condition.
  • Liiga approved the postponement following an assessment by the officials, after player safety could not be guaranteed.
  • TPS said the underlying issue was an installation error involving an ice-resurfacing machine.
  • Kari Rantala said the fault was not identified in time because supervision and inspection failed.
  • In a players’ association survey published in spring 2025, 28 per cent of Liiga players rated the Turku ice as the league’s worst across all venues.
  • The rearranged TPS-Sport game is scheduled for Sunday 29 November at 17:00.

IHM Discussion

The immediate issue was not simply a delayed puck drop but a surface deemed unsafe for players. Once the ice could not be restored to playing condition, postponement was the necessary outcome under the circumstances described.

TPS’s explanation places the fault with the installation of the ice-resurfacing machine, while Rantala’s comments also acknowledge a failure to catch the problem before the teams were left waiting. The club and arena company have said they are changing both their preparation and monitoring processes.

The incident also arrives against a backdrop of previous criticism of the Turku ice. The 2025 players’ association survey does not establish the cause of this particular failure, but it gives added context to why the latest disruption will attract attention.

Why It Matters

Ice quality is a direct player-safety issue as well as a basic requirement for staging a professional game. The postponed fixture creates a confirmed new date for TPS and Sport, while the arena’s stated operational changes will be closely watched after the installation error and delayed detection.

Mini Q&A

Why was TPS’s game against Sport postponed?

The ice at Gatorade Center could not be repaired to a playable condition, and player safety could not be guaranteed.

What caused the ice problem?

TPS said the cause was an installation error involving an ice-resurfacing machine.

When will TPS and Sport play the rearranged game?

The match is scheduled for Sunday 29 November at 17:00.

What Comes Next

The next stated checkpoint is the rearranged TPS-Sport Liiga game at Gatorade Center on Sunday 29 November at 17:00.

TPS leave Ruben Rafkin out of HIFK away lineup

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

TPS will dress without defenceman Ruben Rafkin for their away game against HIFK, while forward Aatos Koivu is also outside the line-up.

Rafkin, an assistant captain at TPS, played on the first defensive pair alongside Petteri Lindbohm against Tappara. For the HIFK fixture, Sisu-Petteri Lehtonen takes Rafkin’s place next to Lindbohm, while Gleason Chicoine moves up into the second pair.

The changes extend through the forward group. Bryggman, Haudum and Wernblom are the only line to remain intact from the previous set-up.

Key Facts

  • Ruben Rafkin and Aatos Koivu are outside the TPS line-up for the HIFK away game.
  • Rafkin has played 11 Liiga games this season, recording 0+2.
  • In 56 games last season, Rafkin posted 1+15=16.
  • Sisu-Petteri Lehtonen will play alongside Petteri Lindbohm after Rafkin skated with Lindbohm against Tappara.
  • Gleason Chicoine moves into the second defensive pair.
  • TPS retain only the Bryggman-Haudum-Wernblom forward line unchanged.
  • The listed forward lines are Bryggman-Haudum-Wernblom, Virtanen-Yliniemi-Ikonen, Savinainen-Paajanen-Ylitalo and Munkki-Määttä-Pikkarainen, with Kuru also listed.
  • The listed defensive pairs are Lindbohm-Lehtonen, Chicoine-Landén and Binner-Tuhkala, with Lauridsen also listed. Mäkiniemi and Ruusu are listed for TPS.

IHM Discussion

The decision removes a defenceman who had been used in the first pair in the previous game and redistributes TPS’s blue-line group. Lehtonen’s move alongside Lindbohm is the most immediate adjustment, while Chicoine’s promotion changes the shape of the second pair.

TPS have also altered three of their four forward lines. Keeping Bryggman, Haudum and Wernblom together gives the side one established combination amid otherwise extensive changes.

Why It Matters

Rafkin’s omission is notable given both his assistant-captaincy and his recent first-pair usage. His 16 points in 56 games last season underline the offensive contribution TPS received from him over a full Liiga campaign, although he has two assists through 11 appearances this term.

The HIFK game will therefore feature a revised defensive alignment and a substantially reshaped forward group, with only one forward line carried over unchanged.

Jukurit upend TPS 4-1 as Ford and Olofsson deliver

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Jukurit claimed a 4-1 victory over TPS in Turku. Jukurit struck in the first period and then absorbed a stronger second-period showing from the home side; the visitors held firm through the third and stopped TPS’s late push. Jesper Olofsson and Connor Ford scored for Jukurit, while Joel Määttä scored TPS’s lone goal. Jukurit head coach Jonne Virtanen was pictured reacting during the game, while Kasper Pikkarainen logged 33 minutes and 12 seconds of ice time according to Liiga’s pages.

Key Facts

  • TPS lost 4-1 at home to Jukurit.
  • Jesper Olofsson scored for Jukurit and struck first.
  • Connor Ford also scored for Jukurit.
  • Joel Määttä scored TPS’s goal, described as a shot from a tight angle.
  • TPS played well in the second period but had been undone by first-period goals conceded.
  • Jukurit held on in the third period and ended TPS’s attempts to mount a comeback in the final minutes.
  • Jukurit head coach Jonne Virtanen is pictured reacting during the match.
  • Kasper Pikkarainen logged 33 minutes and 12 seconds of ice time, according to Liiga’s pages.

IHM Discussion

The match hinged on a troublesome opening period for TPS. First-period goals conceded in their own end proved decisive: although TPS lifted its level in the middle period, it could not erase the deficit. Jesper Olofsson and Connor Ford supplied Jukurit’s named goals, while the home side created chances without finding enough finishing. Määtän’s goal offered TPS a lift, but not a route back into the result. The evening also carried plenty of emotion, with Virtanen’s reaction and Jukurit’s celebration in the Turku end underlining the visitors’ control of the occasion.

Why It Matters

The result gives Jukurit an away win and leaves TPS with a home defeat despite a stronger second period. For TPS, it showed how early concessions and missed chances can create a gap that is difficult to close. Jukurit converted their early momentum and protected their lead under pressure late on.

Mini Q&A

What was the final score?

TPS 1-4 Jukurit.

Which Jukurit players scored?

Jesper Olofsson and Connor Ford scored for Jukurit.

Who scored for TPS?

Joel Määttä scored TPS’s lone goal with a tight-angle strike.

How did the game develop across the periods?

Jukurit scored in the first period to establish a lead. TPS played well in the second but could not overturn the deficit, before Jukurit held firm in the third and ended the late comeback attempt.

Any notable ice-time or individual statistics mentioned?

Kasper Pikkarainen logged 33 minutes and 12 seconds of ice time, according to Liiga’s pages.

Coach Mark Comment

TPS needed a sharper response after the early goals and more finish around the net during their stronger second period. Jukurit’s advantage allowed them to defend their lead with composure through the third and withstand the late push.

IHM Final View

Jukurit earned a clear win in Turku by taking advantage of a productive opening period and then defending stoutly as TPS pushed back. Named scorers Jesper Olofsson and Connor Ford supplied the decisive moments, Joel Määttä replied for the hosts, and the visitors held on to claim the 4-1 result. The match will be seen as a missed opportunity for TPS and a compact away performance for Jukurit.

Petteri Lindbohm signs with TPS on foreign-option deal

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

TPS have bolstered their defence by signing 32-year-old Petteri Lindbohm to a contract that runs for the remainder of the season and includes an option allowing him to depart for a club abroad during the campaign. Lindbohm, who began the Liiga season unsigned, joins a Turku roster that has opened the season with two wins and one defeat.

Lindbohm said he had trained well over the summer and was pleased to join TPS, calling the club ” a fine and traditional team” and saying it was an honour to wear the shirt. TPS sporting director Mika Suoraniemi explained the move was prompted by captain Niklas Friman’s long sick leave. Suoraniemi added that Lindbohm was a priority in their market search, and that while Lindbohm’s primary objective remains to secure a playing place abroad, talks quickly produced mutual interest in a TPS switch.

The signing adds a player with extensive international and club experience to TPS’s dressing room. Lindbohm has played 161 Liiga games for Jokerit, Ässät and HIFK, collecting 36 points; his playoff record in Liiga stands at 12 games with one goal and one assist. Last season he played 27 regular-season and five playoff games for HIFK, scoring 3+5 in the league and 1+0 in the post-season. His wider career includes 49 NHL appearances with the St. Louis Blues and Florida Panthers, 45 KHL matches for Jokerit, 135 National League games with Lausanne HC and EHC Biel-Bienne, and 52 SHL outings for Frölunda HC.

On the international stage Lindbohm was part of Finland’s gold-medal winning Olympic team in 2022 and the world championship-winning squad in 2019, and he also won world championship silver in 2021.

Key Facts

  • Petteri Lindbohm (32) has signed with TPS on a contract covering the remainder of the season.
  • The contract contains an option that allows Lindbohm to leave for a club abroad during the season.
  • Lindbohm was without a contract at the start of the Liiga season before joining TPS.
  • TPS began the season with two wins and one loss prior to Lindbohm’s arrival.
  • Mika Suoraniemi, TPS’s sporting director, said the signing was made necessary by captain Niklas Friman’s long sick leave.
  • Lindbohm has played 161 Liiga games for Jokerit, Ässät and HIFK, scoring 36 points.
  • His Liiga playoff record is 12 games with 1+1.
  • Last season for HIFK Lindbohm appeared in 27 regular-season games (3+5) and five playoff games (1+0).
  • Lindbohm’s club career also includes 49 NHL games (St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers), 45 KHL games (Jokerit), 135 NL games (Lausanne HC, EHC Biel-Bienne) and 52 SHL games (Frölunda HC).
  • Internationally, Lindbohm won Olympic gold in 2022, the world championship in 2019 and world championship silver in 2021.

IHM Discussion

TPS moved quickly to plug a gap created by Niklas Friman’s prolonged absence, prioritising a player with both domestic and international experience. The contract’s foreign-exit clause preserves Lindbohm’s stated objective of returning to a club abroad if an opportunity arises, while giving TPS immediate depth and veteran presence on the blue line.

From a squad-management perspective the deal is a short-term solution: it addresses an urgent need without closing down Lindbohm’s options. For Lindbohm, joining a traditional Liiga club that had already taken positive steps in the early season offers a route back into competitive regular-season hockey after starting the campaign unsigned.

Why It Matters

The signing matters for TPS because it adds experience during Friman’s lengthy absence through illness and does so quickly. Lindbohm’s career across top leagues and his international medals add a player accustomed to high-stakes games, while the foreign option means the arrangement may be temporary rather than a long-term transfer.

Mini Q&A

Has Petteri Lindbohm officially signed with TPS?

Yes. Petteri Lindbohm has signed a contract with TPS covering the remainder of the season.

Does Lindbohm’s contract allow him to leave during the season?

Yes. The deal includes an option that permits Lindbohm to depart for a club abroad during the season.

Why did TPS sign Lindbohm?

TPS sporting director Mika Suoraniemi said the signing was prompted by captain Niklas Friman’s long sick leave and that Lindbohm was a priority in their market search.

What experience does Lindbohm bring?

Lindbohm has played 161 Liiga games (36 points), 49 NHL games, 45 KHL games, 135 NL games and 52 SHL games, and he has Olympic gold (2022), world championship gold (2019) and world silver (2021).

Coach Mark Comment

Lindbohm’s experience gives TPS another established option on defence at a time when Friman is unavailable. The immediate task will be to integrate him into the existing structure, with the foreign option underlining that this may be a short-term arrangement.

IHM Final View

This is a sensible, short-term signing by TPS: Lindbohm fills an urgent defensive need caused by Friman’s long sick leave while keeping his own overseas ambitions intact. Expect him to be used as experienced depth for the remainder of the campaign unless an overseas offer arrives and his contractual exit option is exercised.

TPS captain Niklas Friman sidelined for months with injury

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

TPS captain Niklas Friman will be unavailable for several months after the injury he suffered in the recent match against Sport, the club has announced. Friman left that game after just four minutes on the ice; subsequent examinations produced an assessment that will keep him out for around three months. Friman had recorded 1+1 in three appearances this season prior to the injury. Forward Veli-Matti Savinainen, who has not played at all this season, is now expected to return to the lineup in October. Defence man Oliver Lauridsen remains sidelined as he serves the final four games of a suspension imposed last spring.

Key Facts

  • TPS captain Niklas Friman was injured in the match against Sport and played only four minutes in that game before leaving.
  • Medical examinations indicate Friman will be out for approximately three months.
  • Friman registered 1+1 in three games this season before the injury.
  • Veli-Matti Savinainen has been unavailable for the entire season so far but is expected to return to play in October.
  • Oliver Lauridsen is currently unavailable while four suspension games remain from a ban received last spring.

IHM Discussion

Losing Niklas Friman for an estimated three months is a significant blow for TPS. As captain, Friman brings leadership that the squad will need to replace temporarily, while his absence reduces the club’s defensive depth and experience. His 1+1 from three games shows he had contributed offensively at the start of the season, and TPS will need to adjust its defensive rotation through the early months of the campaign.

Veli-Matti Savinainen’s projected October return offers a timely addition to the forward group after he missed the opening part of the season. TPS will hope he can quickly find his rhythm and help spread the offensive workload while Friman recovers.

Oliver Lauridsen also remains unavailable for four more games because of his suspension. With both defencemen absent, TPS will need contributions from its depth options.

Why It Matters

Friman’s absence and Lauridsen’s remaining suspension leave TPS with reduced defensive options for the coming weeks. Savinainen’s expected October return would restore a forward option, but TPS will still be without its captain for a substantial part of the early season. How the club manages its defensive rotation during that period will be an important storyline.

Wernblom tops Liiga scoring after seven-point start for TPS

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Wernblom produced four points (1+3) in TPS’s 5-1 victory over HIFK, bringing his total to seven points from the opening two rounds of Liiga and placing him atop the league’s scoring chart. The 26-year-old forward, who moved to TPS from Malmö during the 2023/24 season, has continued the productive form he showed last term.

Key Facts

  • Wernblom had one goal and three assists when TPS beat HIFK 5-1 in Liiga’s second round.
  • Wernblom has seven points from the two opening matches and leads Liiga’s scoring race.
  • In the season opener against last season’s finalists KooKoo, Wernblom contributed to a 4-2 win (as part of his two-game start).
  • The 26-year-old moved to TPS from Malmö during the 2023/24 season and has been productive since arriving in Åbo (Turku).
  • Last season Wernblom recorded 49 points in 57 Liiga games, making him the second-highest scoring Swede in the league.
  • Wernblom’s 24 goals last season were the most by any Swedish player and placed him eighth in the league’s overall goal scoring list.
  • Lars Bryggman, a linemate and fellow Swede, has also started strongly with six points (4+2) in two games after leaving Skellefteå following the SM gold in spring.
  • Bryggman’s four goals through two games put him level for the league’s goal-scoring lead alongside HPK forward Sami Päivärinta.

IHM Discussion

TPS have received immediate offensive returns from Wernblom and Lars Bryggman. Wernblom’s four-point night against HIFK stood out for its balance of scoring and playmaking: one goal and three assists underlined his ability to create and finish. His seven points in two games follow a productive season in which he recorded 49 points in 57 Liiga appearances.

Bryggman has added six points (4+2) in two games after joining TPS from Skellefteå. He shares the early goal-scoring lead with HPK forward Sami Päivärinta.

Why It Matters

An electric start from key forwards gives TPS early momentum in the Liiga standings and raises expectations for their attacking production. Wernblom leading the points race after two rounds signals he is a central figure in TPS’s offence; Bryggman’s scoring punch adds depth and a secondary threat that opponents must respect. For the players themselves, continuing this form would reaffirm last season’s numbers and strengthen TPS’s prospects in the early weeks of the campaign.

Mini Q&A

How many points does Wernblom have after two Liiga games?

Wernblom has seven points from his first two Liiga games (one goal and three assists in the second game).

What was the score when TPS beat HIFK?

TPS defeated HIFK 5-1 in the match where Wernblom recorded a goal and three assists.

Where did Wernblom move from and when?

Wernblom moved to TPS from Malmö during the 2023/24 season.

How did Wernblom perform last season?

Last season he had 49 points in 57 Liiga games, and his 24 goals were the most by any Swedish player in the league, placing him eighth overall in goal scoring.

Which teammate is also off to a fast start and what are his numbers?

Lars Bryggman has produced six points (four goals and two assists) in TPS’s two opening matches and is tied for the goal-scoring lead with HPK’s Sami Päivärinta.

Olympic winner Niklas Friman returns to TPS as captain

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Niklas Friman, 32, has returned to Turun Palloseura and will captain the Liiga side for the coming season. Friman described the club’s upgraded training facilities and said he has enjoyed every day since his homecoming. A second-generation TPS player – his father Kari-Pekka Friman played for the club in the 1980s – Friman last wore the blue-and-white in 2015-16 before spells in the KHL, SHL, HPK (where he won a Finnish championship) and most recently in Switzerland with HC Ajoiessa. He is an Olympic gold medallist and world champion with two gold medals from 2022. Otto Paajanen joins TPS as another established leader, and expert Ismo Lehkonen has praised the pair’s potential impact after a disappointing season that left TPS outside the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.

Key Facts

  • Niklas Friman, age 32, has returned to Turun Palloseura (TPS) and been named the team’s captain for the upcoming season.
  • Friman says the club’s training facilities, gym and overall environment have seen investment since he last played there.
  • Friman made his Liiga debut for TPS as an 18-year-old in the 2011-12 season.
  • His TPS contract previously ended after the 2015-16 season; he left Turku in summer 2016.
  • Since leaving TPS, Friman has played in the KHL, won the Finnish championship with HPK, played in the SHL and spent last season with Swiss club HC Ajoiessa.
  • Friman is an Olympic gold medallist and world champion, with two gold medals from 2022.
  • Friman has captained at various points in his career: TuTo U16, TPS U20, HPK (vice-captain) and Ilves.
  • Friman previously shared a dressing room with Tomi Kallio, Ville Vahalahti, Antero Niittymäki and Ilkka Pikkarainen; their sons are now his TPS teammates.
  • Friman’s father, Kari-Pekka Friman, played for TPS’s Liiga team in the 1980s.
  • Otto Paajanen has also joined TPS and brings recent championship experience; he was KooKoo‘s captain during their run to the Liiga final.
  • Ismo Lehkonen called Friman and Paajanen “quality controllers” whose experience of success and failure will help the club.
  • Friman recalls a turbulent early spell at TPS, when the club had six different head coaches across five seasons following his debut.

IHM Discussion

Friman’s return to TPS carries both symbolism and practical value. He debuted as a teenager in Turku, where his father also played, and returns as a decorated international to captain his hometown club.

Friman and Otto Paajanen give TPS two experienced leaders after last season’s playoff miss. Friman brings a Finnish title, KHL and SHL experience, plus two international gold medals in 2022. Paajanen captained KooKoo during its run to the Liiga final and was HPK captain when the club won the Finnish title in 2019. Ismo Lehkonen has described the pair as “quality controllers” capable of setting standards in the daily work.

Friman has previously captained junior and senior teams, and his comments point to a leadership role built on demanding habits in training, off-ice work and on the ice. That experience can be valuable to younger teammates, including the sons of former TPS players with whom Friman once shared a team.

He has also highlighted investment in TPS’s gym, training and wider environment since his previous spell at the club. The coming season will show how that setting and the new leadership group shape the team’s response.

Why It Matters

For TPS, Friman’s appointment places an experienced player at the centre of its leadership group after a season that ended outside the playoffs. Alongside Paajanen, he brings championship experience and a record of captaincy at several levels. His return also links TPS’s history with its current squad, while the club’s improved facilities provide a stronger setting for daily work.

Mini Q&A

Who has returned to TPS and been named captain?

Niklas Friman, age 32, has rejoined Turun Palloseura and will serve as the team’s captain.

What recent clubs and competitions has Friman played in since leaving TPS?

After leaving TPS in 2016 Friman played in the KHL, won the Finnish championship with HPK, played in the SHL and spent last season with Swiss club HC Ajoiessa.

What international honours does Friman hold?

Friman is an Olympic gold medallist and world champion, with two gold medals from 2022.

Who else brings leadership to TPS and why is he important?

Otto Paajanen has joined TPS; he was KooKoo’s captain during their run to the Liiga final and captained HPK in 2019, bringing championship experience and daily standards.

What investments at TPS did Friman highlight on his return?

Friman said the club has invested in the gym, training and general facilities, improving the environment for players.

What immediate test does the club face?

The coming Liiga season will test whether the new leadership and upgraded facilities can return TPS to the playoffs after last season’s absence.

What Comes Next

The coming Liiga season is the next test for TPS after last season’s playoff absence. Friman and Paajanen will be central figures in setting the team’s daily standards as the campaign unfolds.

IHM Final View

Friman’s homecoming combines club history with proven experience. As captain, he brings the habits of a player who has led teams before and won at club and international level.

TPS seek reset after last season’s disappointment

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

The Liiga season opens amid unusually high stakes: a 64-game regular season with 17 teams and relegation for the bottom three at its close. For Turun Palloseura (TPS), the context is stark. Last season ended in disappointment when TPS missed the playoffs, and the club has responded with a push for a ‘total change’. Hockey analyst Ismo Lehkonen said clubs are focused above all on staying in the top flight and may take risks to avoid finishing in the bottom three.

TPS have added returning players and new faces in an effort to bring experience to the group. Otto Paajanen, who captained KooKoo during their run to last season’s Liiga final, joins TPS. Defenceman Niklas Friman has returned to TPS; he made his Liiga debut with the club in 2011-12, left in 2016 and later won the Liiga with HPK in 2019, plus Olympic and World Championship gold in 2022. Homegrown player Hannu Kuru has returned to Turku, while the club have also signed Lukas Haudum, who won Austria’s domestic title in the spring. Lars Bryggman returns to Finland and TPS from Skellefteå as a reigning Swedish champion. He recorded 117 points in 158 regular-season games across three seasons with Pelicans.

TPS also had off-ice issues last season involving Pride and Veli-Matti Savinainen, as well as Tarmo Reunanen’s sidelining. Lehkonen said the organisation needed ‘a total change, here and now’, adding that staff brought into the club office were intended to change its rhythm.

Youth development remains part of TPS’s longer-term picture. Several second-generation players who saw Liiga ice time last season are competing for regular roles. Lehkonen cautioned, however, that many still need work on their skating and physical development before TPS can rely on them heavily this season.

Key Facts

  • The Liiga regular season comprises 64 games and 17 teams.
  • At the end of the regular season the three weakest teams will be relegated to the lower B-series.
  • Jokerit have returned to the top flight, reviving a classic TPS rivalry last seen in the Liiga regular season in 2014.
  • Ismo Lehkonen said clubs’ primary objective this year is to remain in the top tier and that some teams may take significant risks to avoid relegation.
  • TPS missed the Liiga playoffs last season and finished their campaign in the regular season.
  • TPS have brought in Otto Paajanen, who captained KooKoo during their run to the Liiga final last spring.
  • Defenceman Niklas Friman has returned to TPS; he previously made his Liiga debut with TPS in 2011-12, left in 2016 and later won the Liiga with HPK in 2019 and Olympic and World Championship gold in 2022.
  • Homegrown player Hannu Kuru has returned to TPS.
  • TPS signed Lukas Haudum, who won an Austrian domestic championship in the spring.
  • Lars Bryggman, Pelicans’ captain two seasons ago, returns to TPS from Skellefteå as the reigning Swedish champion; he scored 117 points in 158 regular-season Pelicans games.
  • Several second-generation players saw Liiga ice time last season, but Lehkonen said they require further development in areas such as skating and physicality.

IHM Discussion

TPS’s activity over the summer reads as a deliberate recalibration rather than a short-term gamble. The additions of Paajanen and Friman supply leadership and Liiga-winning experience that can steady a locker room, while Haudum and Bryggman bring recent championship pedigree from Austria and Sweden respectively. Reintegrating club-trained players such as Hannu Kuru also signals a dual approach: immediate stabilisation plus a continued belief in the academy pipeline.

Lehkonen’s repeated point about risk and the need for ‘total change’ is worth unpacking. With budgets rising across the league and relegation applying to three clubs, the financial and sporting consequences of another failed season are magnified. TPS must balance the demand for instant improvement with the realistic development timelines for several young, second-generation players. The practical work – daily skating, strength and positional training – is the manageable end of that problem; the organisational and cultural reset Lehkonen describes is harder and will show up in how quickly TPS turn close games into wins.

Why It Matters

The structure of this Liiga season raises the consequences for every club. For TPS, the campaign will test whether the added experience can help the club recover from last season’s disappointment while younger players continue their development. League-wide, rising budgets and the threat of relegation could encourage aggressive decision-making as the standings take shape.

Mini Q&A

Why is TPS describing this summer as a ‘total change’?

TPS missed the Liiga playoffs last season and have made signings and brought players back, while Lehkonen said the organisation needs a total change.

Which notable players have joined or returned to TPS?

Otto Paajanen, defenceman Niklas Friman, homegrown returnee Hannu Kuru, Lukas Haudum and Lars Bryggman are among the arrivals or returnees mentioned.

How has the Liiga format changed for this season?

The regular season has 64 games, Jokerit have rejoined the top flight, there are 17 teams in total, and the three weakest teams at season’s end will be relegated to the B-series.

Will TPS rely on young, second-generation players this season?

TPS promoted several second-generation players last season, but Ismo Lehkonen warned the club cannot yet rely on them fully; many still need work on skating and physical development.

Who raised concerns about clubs’ risk-taking this season?

Hockey analyst Ismo Lehkonen said he would not be surprised if ‘a couple of clubs’ went under as risk levels rise across the league.

Coach Mark Comment

From a coaching perspective the immediate priority for TPS should be clarity and repetition. Introducing experienced winners like Friman and Bryggman must come with clearly defined roles so they can model the behaviours younger players must copy: compete in one-on-one battles, maintain gap control, and execute simple breakout options under pressure. Simultaneously, coaches need a measurable development plan for second-generation prospects – daily skating tests, progressive strength targets and situational minutes that emphasise defensive responsibility. Cultural resets take time, but consistent practice habits and transparent accountability are the fastest ways to change results on the ice.

IHM Final View

TPS have responded to last season’s disappointment with returning players, new additions and changes around the organisation. Whether that blend can produce an immediate improvement will depend on how quickly the group settles on the ice.