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

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

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

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 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

Let the games begin...

Moving from Tallinn to Narva and first day here at the tournament venue is now behind us. Team did good on the workout today while we did a few adjustments to our lines and special teams with Andrei Makrov who joined our squad early Friday morning.

Now it is time to get pumped up for the opening game tomorrow against Israel. As coaches we believe on our team and know that boys will make Estonian hockey fans proud. Come and support our team here at Narva during the next week if you have a chance, boys will appreciate it.

Ismo & Jukka

Rising like a missile...!

Not quite like that, but Team Estonia is getting closer for being ready for the upcoming D-II World Championships. Although the headline is accurate as we have been skating in a rink that has been built into on old Soviet missile factory where it can actually rain indoors during the practices. Players have worked hard and despite the conditions, sore throats, flooding locker rooms etc they are all in good spirits & enthusiastic. This is why we are here, to help these guys that have passion and desire to play for this team.

It’s great to work with people that have passion for the game and don’t need to be pampered. Although the team is working well and getting better it is also evident that management and leadership for Estonian hockey has to also raise the bar for their own work. If everyone can improve on their own job and work with the best interest of the sport in their mind, the great game of hockey will grow at Estonia too.

Tonight we will face Finland that is a tough opponent for us. This game will be a good experience for our players and an honor for all of us to be part of this historical event. No matter what the score will be after the game we are sure that our team will go to the tournament at Narva with humble attitude and ready to play for the crest in front of our jerseys, not the names on the back!

Ismo & Jukka