Ilves and HIFK announce coaching changes for upcoming seasons

Finnish ice hockey clubs Ilves and HIFK have announced significant coaching changes for the upcoming seasons. Raimo Helminen will join Ilves as head coach, moving from his current role at SaiPa. Helminen, a former Ilves player, has signed a two-year contract covering the 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 seasons.

Tommi Niemelä, the current head coach of Ilves, will move to HIFK. His appointment is also a two-year deal for the 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 seasons. Both clubs released the information simultaneously to ensure professional stability and peace for the coaches and teams during the remainder of the current season.

At SaiPa, Janne Hietaniemi is set to rise to the position of head coach following the conclusion of Raimo Helminen’s tenure.