I have been getting calls from Estonian media and also from some players lately asking what is going on with Estonian hockey? This does not feel like it is helping the game of hockey at the country. So instead of getting into any of these discussions of who has done what and who should have done what let me just say this:
* Please, think what is best for the game of hockey at Estonia and the players & act accordingly
* Put the game first always and the game will be good for you (like it has been for me)
* Estonian National Team has talented players and with proper preparations the team can hold on to their Div-1 spot at World Championships. Players did prove that at Narva last spring!
So I just want to wish all Estonian hockey people the best possible success. I am glad that I had the opportunity to help the national team last season to achieve it's goal and I am looking forward to see them doing well this season under new coaching staff, give them all your support.
Jukka Ropponen
keskiviikko 6. lokakuuta 2010
perjantai 23. heinäkuuta 2010
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.
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.
lauantai 8. toukokuuta 2010
Players first...
Last week Eesti Jäähoki Liit contacted us again and asked about possibility to continue to coach Team Estonia and prepare the team for the upcoming Div-I World Championships. We did quickly meet at Tallinn and here’s what us coaches did give for the Jäähoki Liit as answer:
1) Players first!!!
We asked jäähoki liit to put together a written plan describing how they are planning to manage the team, conditions, support etc for next season. From our perspective we need 100% guarantees that players are taken care of like they should as hard working professional athletes. This means everything from training conditions to meals and equipment etc. For us it does not make sense to negotiate about coaching before we know that players have been taken care of first and they have conditions & environment which will support hard work and winning culture. If we see a plan and guarantees that are satisfactory, we are ready to negotiate as we really appreciated the attitude, hard work and professionalism that Team Estonia players demonstrated at D-II Narva tournament.
2) Different situation
Us coaches are at a different situation than last season. Ismo was not under contract with any professional team at the time he agreed to coach Team Estonia and Jukka was only coaching Zurich Lions goalies. Now Ismo is coaching KooKoo at Finland and Jukka has signed for another year with Zurich and is also consulting KooKoo. This means that our time is limited and we would have to take time for this project away from our regular work, scarce vacation days with families etc. Anyhow, we are willing to negotiate as long as jäähoki liit shows us that players are taken care first. Naturally the project needs much more work that last season at D-II level so our time needs to be compensated as well. Good news is also that other people involved like Pekka Ajanto and Mika Harlo are also available under same conditions as us coaches.
Having said that we sincerely hope that Estonian hockey has turned a new page and the great game of hockey will start prospering at Estonia.
Jukka & Ismo
1) Players first!!!
We asked jäähoki liit to put together a written plan describing how they are planning to manage the team, conditions, support etc for next season. From our perspective we need 100% guarantees that players are taken care of like they should as hard working professional athletes. This means everything from training conditions to meals and equipment etc. For us it does not make sense to negotiate about coaching before we know that players have been taken care of first and they have conditions & environment which will support hard work and winning culture. If we see a plan and guarantees that are satisfactory, we are ready to negotiate as we really appreciated the attitude, hard work and professionalism that Team Estonia players demonstrated at D-II Narva tournament.
2) Different situation
Us coaches are at a different situation than last season. Ismo was not under contract with any professional team at the time he agreed to coach Team Estonia and Jukka was only coaching Zurich Lions goalies. Now Ismo is coaching KooKoo at Finland and Jukka has signed for another year with Zurich and is also consulting KooKoo. This means that our time is limited and we would have to take time for this project away from our regular work, scarce vacation days with families etc. Anyhow, we are willing to negotiate as long as jäähoki liit shows us that players are taken care first. Naturally the project needs much more work that last season at D-II level so our time needs to be compensated as well. Good news is also that other people involved like Pekka Ajanto and Mika Harlo are also available under same conditions as us coaches.
Having said that we sincerely hope that Estonian hockey has turned a new page and the great game of hockey will start prospering at Estonia.
Jukka & Ismo
maanantai 19. huhtikuuta 2010
Mission accomplished
August 31 last year we wrote to our blog with headline ”There is talent”. Now when our mission is over and Estonia has earned spot at next season Div-I level it is easy to say that we were correct – There is talent. Our players really deserved to win the tournament last week. These Estonian hockey players were dedicated, skilled and worked hard. It was a privilege for us to coach this team.
Now that players have earned the spot on Div-I for Estonia it is time that management starts respecting players and treating them right. It is amazing that these players have been able to play at high level when their management has not done their job. Things are not working from very simple things like having transportation on time or water at the bench to much bigger issues like getting them proper training conditions.
We sincerely hope that Estonian hockey will have management in the future that can raise funds and take care of their players, the most important people in Estonian hockey.
Once again our sincere thanks to all players and people who helped Team Estonia to reach its goal and best of luck in the future.
Ismo & Jukka
Now that players have earned the spot on Div-I for Estonia it is time that management starts respecting players and treating them right. It is amazing that these players have been able to play at high level when their management has not done their job. Things are not working from very simple things like having transportation on time or water at the bench to much bigger issues like getting them proper training conditions.
We sincerely hope that Estonian hockey will have management in the future that can raise funds and take care of their players, the most important people in Estonian hockey.
Once again our sincere thanks to all players and people who helped Team Estonia to reach its goal and best of luck in the future.
Ismo & Jukka
keskiviikko 14. huhtikuuta 2010
Grande finale
Team Estonia and its members have 3 periods of hockey left this season and what can be better than playing for the championship at home tournament in front of the home crowd on a TV-game! If this does not fire up us as a team, then nothing does. It is not often that this kind of opportunity represents itself, so we will enjoy this as a team.
Before we face Romania tomorrow we have to “kill” the 2nd off day of the tournament. We have decided not to go on the ice as team has already played 4 games this week and practiced on the ice daily. Now it is time to recharge our batteries and start concentrating on the game.
Bottom line is that Romania is a good opponent, but team Estonia has the skills and players needed to win them as long as we play as a team and stick to our game plan. It will not be easy, but we can do it. Come support us here at Narva or cheer behind your TV at home while we do everything possible to give Estonian people a good hockey show to finish the season!
Ismo & Jukka
Before we face Romania tomorrow we have to “kill” the 2nd off day of the tournament. We have decided not to go on the ice as team has already played 4 games this week and practiced on the ice daily. Now it is time to recharge our batteries and start concentrating on the game.
Bottom line is that Romania is a good opponent, but team Estonia has the skills and players needed to win them as long as we play as a team and stick to our game plan. It will not be easy, but we can do it. Come support us here at Narva or cheer behind your TV at home while we do everything possible to give Estonian people a good hockey show to finish the season!
Ismo & Jukka
Becoming a team...
Team Estonia has 2 games left and we are at the last stages on the process on becoming a team. We all feel that we have a very good chance to win this tournament, but it does require that we take the last steps and start to play as one unit where every player is helping his fellow teammate to play better and better.
For most part we have improved on this and like last night against New Zealand (17-0 win) we had several players who did take great strides forwards, while a few players “enjoyed” more bench time than usual. Tonight we have to take those final steps on becoming a team so that we are 100% ready to play against the good Romanian team on Friday.
Ismo & Jukka
For most part we have improved on this and like last night against New Zealand (17-0 win) we had several players who did take great strides forwards, while a few players “enjoyed” more bench time than usual. Tonight we have to take those final steps on becoming a team so that we are 100% ready to play against the good Romanian team on Friday.
Ismo & Jukka
sunnuntai 11. huhtikuuta 2010
For the crest in front…
…not the name in back
This is our mission, to play as a team for Estonia and win the tournament. Team Estonia has the skills and players to do this as long as all players play for the team. Last night’s game against Israel (17-3 win) was a good demonstration what happens when we play as a team, although that was just the opening game and we still have a lot to improve.
Tonight’s game against China is going to be a lot tougher game as Chinese team is several notches better than our first opponent and they actually gave Romania a run for their money on the opening game.
One of the ways for us to show our commitment for the teamwork is award our game best player based on the individuals effort for the team, no matter what role they are playing. So we will not make the highest scoring player automatically our best player of the game like things have usually been done.
Thanks for everyone’s support for Team Estonia
Ismo & Jukka
This is our mission, to play as a team for Estonia and win the tournament. Team Estonia has the skills and players to do this as long as all players play for the team. Last night’s game against Israel (17-3 win) was a good demonstration what happens when we play as a team, although that was just the opening game and we still have a lot to improve.
Tonight’s game against China is going to be a lot tougher game as Chinese team is several notches better than our first opponent and they actually gave Romania a run for their money on the opening game.
One of the ways for us to show our commitment for the teamwork is award our game best player based on the individuals effort for the team, no matter what role they are playing. So we will not make the highest scoring player automatically our best player of the game like things have usually been done.
Thanks for everyone’s support for Team Estonia
Ismo & Jukka
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