Hockey coach Andrei Nazarov responded to Harri Harkimo, the former owner of the Finnish club Jokerit, who labeled the team’s move to the Kontinental Hockey League as a mistake. Nazarov referenced a line from a revered figure and used it to frame his point about lessons learned from the past. He noted that when Jokerit joined the KHL, it faced a period of experimentation, earned revenues, and now reflects on those choices with a different perspective. The coach attributed this shift to the Finns embracing new competition, gaining experience, and understanding the broader implications of their strategic decisions in European hockey. In Nazarov’s view, the experience in the KHL helped Jokerit and similar teams grow stronger, more competitive, and better prepared for future seasons.
Jokerit and Dinamo Riga withdrew from the Kontinental Hockey League at the end of February 2022 in response to the geopolitical situation surrounding Ukraine. With their departure, Spartak Moscow automatically moved forward to the Gagarin Cup semi finals, reshaping the playoff landscape and impacting the competitive balance within the league. The exit of these clubs marked a notable turning point for the KHL, influencing fan engagement, sponsorship dynamics, and the overall calendar of the season for teams across the region.
The Finnish teams had previously reached the quarter-finals of the Gagarin Cup on two occasions, underscoring the competitive level present within Nordic participation in the league. Their presence, performance, and occasional deep playoff runs highlighted the cross-border nature of professional hockey in Europe and the ways in which regional clubs contribute to the league’s overall depth and credibility. These runs also fueled discussions about development pipelines, scouting networks, and the financial models that support participation in a top-tier continental competition.
The Ukrainian crisis led to a broader shift in rosters, with many foreign players and coaches leaving Russia. Several hockey federations expressed concern about participation in the KHL, citing political and logistical challenges. In Latvia, legislation restricted local athletes and coaches from competing in Russia and Belarus, reflecting a wider trend of policy responses that affected the sport across several countries. The ripple effects touched training schedules, eligibility rules, and the ability of teams to retain international talent amid uncertain environments. This period also spurred clubs to reassess their international recruitment strategies and to place greater emphasis on domestic development programs to maintain competition level regardless of external pressures.
Jokerit had previously faced criticism for its symbolism and positioning within the broader Russian influence in the league. The club and its supporters argued that hockey should stand apart from political narratives, focusing on sport, development, and regional exchanges. The tensions surrounding that period fed into ongoing debates about league structure, governance, and the role of national contexts in shaping participation in a multinational competition. Throughout these conversations, teams looked for ways to preserve competitive integrity while navigating the realities of international sport amid geopolitical shifts. The overarching theme remained clear: hockey in the region continues to evolve through a mix of strategic choices, cross-border collaboration, and responses to external events that affect every level of the game, from players on the ice to executives behind the bench. (Source: Industry recap and league coverage from regional sports analysis outlets.)