Time for new coaches

Just a quick note from us coaches that it seems to us that things with Eesti Jäähoki Liit are on hold, at least when looking from our perspective. What I mean by this is that in May we did ask Liit to provide us the plan how to run National team program for this coming season and how to take care of the players and guarantee them the needed resources to prepare properly for the upcoming D-1 World Championships. We have not heard anything on this from Jäähoki Liit officials.

Last year this time we had all plans in place and agreement to coach the national team. This year we have not even started the discussions. In all honesty, it is not realistic to think any more that Ismo and I would have time to take over another national team project / season. Last year Ismo was not coaching pro hockey by the time we agreed on Estonian project and I had only contract with ZSC Lions. Now Ismo is working full time with KooKoo at Finnish mestis while I am continuing with ZSC Lions and on top of that also consulting KooKoo goalies & doing more deep coaching/consulting with Nikke Bäckström at Minnesota. This really does not leave either one of us a lot of free time and Estonian national team needs / deserves coaches that can focus a lot of their time for the players.

Next season will not be an easy task, but team Estonia has what it takes to play succesfull at D-1 level. In order to do that the program needs to get started ASAP. Players need a lot of coaching, personal training programs etc...

I am really glad on the players behalf that they will get the opportunity to showcase their skills at D-1 level next spring and wish them all best of luck. Enjoy your upcoming season and World championships as you really earned the spot with your great perfomance at Narva games.

Jukka Ropponen

Ps. I have told Eesti Jäähoki Liit that even if I am not coaching your national team any more I will maintain as a friend of Estonian hockey and my time allowing I can be available to run some practices and/or coaching clinics.