Star coach Jalonen: “New ice hockey project to be created”

Other high-ranking sports officials, such as CONI boss Giovanni Malagò, also attended the press conference held by the star coach from Finland in Milan’s Allianz Tower. As the reigning Olympic champion, Jalonen has the difficult task of Blue Team into a serious opponent by the 2026 home games in Milan-Cortina. His (no less prominent) predecessor Mike Keenan had – more or less – failed at this task.

So on Thursday, Jalonen was introduced in Milan. The 61-year-old, who coached the Finnish national team until May, made no secret of the fact that the Olympics were a big plus point in his decision to go to Italy: "The games are a big motivation and should give us an important boost. But I'm also here to think long-term. In cooperation with the junior teams, a new mentality and a new Italian ice hockey project should emerge." “I will learn the Italian language.” Jukka Jalonen Jalonen must know how it works. He has won 7 medals at the Olympics and World Championships. He is also supported by Stefan Mair, the most prominent ice hockey coach in Italy. The Bozner returns to the Blue Team as assistant coach, which he led as head coach from 2015 to 2018. Sports director Stefan Zisser had already stressed in advance that Mair played a major role in the signing of Jalonen.

FISG boss Andrea Gios (l.) praised the new coach on Thursday. © Sabine Hannaert

When asked about the differences between Finland and Italy, Jalonen said: “Coaching ice hockey is always the same. I have an excellent coaching staff. I've recently watched a lot of games of the Italian teams to get an idea of the guys. I already have an idea how I can send them out on the ice."

What Italy’s bosses say CONI Boss Giovanni Malago had nothing but praise for Jalonen on Thursday: "Everyone knows how great his passion for ice hockey is. In Italy we saw that many years ago when he was at Alleghe. We are overjoyed that he is now back in our country. Ice hockey plays a very important role in the 2026 Olympic Games, we have high hopes for it." Giovanni Malagò, head of the Italian Olympic Committee. © ANSA / ETTORE FERRARI / FRR

FISG boss Andrea Gios praised the new coach: "Jalonen stands for quality and professionalism. He has always managed to be successful with his previous teams, even when the opponents had better players. He didn't always have the best team, but he made it the best. Our goals with him are to make a good impression like at the Olympics and to establish a new ice hockey culture in Italy."

The Gardena Marcello Cobelli , member of the FISG Board of Directors, says: "The election of Jalonen should initiate a change in mentality. We are very confident that we will do better in the future than we have recently. Unfortunately, we missed out on promotion to the top division at the home World Championships in Bolzano. Next year we are among the favorites in Romania."

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Star coach Jalonen: “New ice hockey project to be created”

Everyone who is anyone in Italian ice hockey was represented in Milan on Thursday. The new head coach of the Blue Team was officially presented there. Jukka Jalonen is to lead Italy to a successful home Olympics in 2026.

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