Liiga 2024-2025 Season Preview

Finnish Liiga celebrates its 50-year anniversary in the upcoming 2024-25 season.

This season will be the first in the history of the Championship with 16 teams participating, including the addition of the newest member Kiekko-Espoo. With a new playoff-format and bringing back the relegation series, the season expects to be thrilling at all levels of the standings.

This article will help be a useful guide to the 2024-2025 season.

Season Structure

One of the main topics, which has happened in the past offseason and mentioned earlier, here is a closer look at the renewed season structure:

After 60-games for each team in the regular season with the 3-2-1-0 point system, the top-4 will clinch its berth in the playoffs for the quarterfinal stage, while teams, ranked 5-12, will play in the best-of-five series with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals. Then there is a usual playoff format with the best-of-seven series, with 1 bronze-medal-game between the semifinal series losers.

The last two teams in the standings will have the playout series with the winner and finalist of Mestis for the right to stay in Liiga for the next year. The relegation series will be brought back for the first time in more than a decade.

The regular season, as always, will have 3 breaks:

• 10 days in the first half of November for Karjala Tournament
• 1 week Christmas break
• 10 days in the first half of February 

(if there are players selected for the NHL 4-Nations Face-Off – they are free to go at any time to the National Team)

The last day of the regular season is scheduled for March 15, with possible Game 7 of the Finals in the first dates of May, so all players will be available for the IIHF World Championship.

The Satakunta Winter Classic will be played in Pori in January 2025, as a 2-game outdoor series between Ässät and Lukko at the Amiko-areena. The games are counted to the regular season table.

Now let’s take a brief look at each of the teams and their key-factors heading into the season.

16. KooKoo

Last season result – 12^th place (missed playoffs)

‍Major transfers:

Signed:

• Robert Rooba
• Saku Salmela
• Kalle Loponen
• Marcus Davidsson
• Riley Sawchuk
• Joonas Oden
• Ville Puhakka
• Antoine Bibeau
• Jouko Myrrä (head coach)

Leaving:

• Jesse Nurmi
• Verneri Ahonen
• Nick Malik
• Ben Tardif
• Charles-Edouard D‘Astous
• Olli Salo (head coach)

Player to watch – Radek Koblizek

KooKoo is the team that really struggled in the last 2 seasons after the enormous success of reaching the semifinals in 2022.

The team was really shaken up in the offseason, and with the departments of: left winger Ben Tardif - 50 (15+35) points last year, Pekka Rautakallio Award (the best defender of Liiga) winner in 2023-24 Charles-Edouard D‘Astous, who scored 46 (17+29) points, the promising talent of Jesse Nurmi and the starting goalie Nick Malik, and the changes in both coaching and front-office, it is going to be very tough for KooKoo at the beginning of the season at least. 

Of course, the North American imports, like Riley Sawchuk, will have a bigimpact, as is Marcus Davidsson, who scored the cup-winning goal for Tappara in 2023, but the problem of chemistry in the line-up and the lack of leadership has potential to cause problems (to be determined).

15. SaiPa

‍Last season result – 15^th place (missed playoffs)

Major transfers:

Signed:

• Eero Klintrup
• Oskari Salminen
• Mikko Petman
• Ville Petman
• Oliver Kjaer
• Viktor Granholm
• Raimo Helminen (head coach)

Leaving:

• Jonne Tammela
• Ville Vainikainen
• Valtteri Ojantakanen
• Ville Hämäläinen (head coach)

Player to watch – Ville Petman

Financial problems for SaiPa, lasting through the last 5 years, are the story of disappointment and anxiety. Last year saw the club being the most unprofitable team in Europe with over 1.3 million Euro net loss. However, the new ownership of the club has done everything they could in the offseason, with granting more finances, bringing in some quality players and handling the team to NHL-alumni Raimo Helminen. Unfortunately, SaiPa couldn’t bring back Valtteri Ojantakanen, who scored 19 and 20 goals for the club in the previous 2 seasons, but the addition of Ville Petman from Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL, Seattle Kraken affiliate) – is what I am personally looking, heading into the new season. This year should be the starting point of getting back into business for SaiPa, and maybe the results are not the most important thing this year.

14. HPK

‍Last season result – 14^th place (missed playoffs)

Major transfers:

Signed:

• Christopher Bengtsson
• Jesse Kiiskinen
• Miska Kukkonen

Leaving:

• Jiri Parssinen
• Miro Karjalainen
• Joel Janatuinen

Player to watch – Jesse Kiiskinen

HPK had a very quiet summer, with only 2 transfers, that can have a big impact. First one - Christopher Bengtsson, the leading scorer from Valerenga (Norway) – is a player, that can become a leader of the team on the 1^st unit and on the powerplay. Second – Jesse Kiiskinen, the 19-year-old, who had nearly 3 points-per-game in Pelicans U20 team. Surely, he is the rising star – and if the ice time and style of play suits the forward – he can produce. If everything good happens, we can see a playoff-bound, but it would be a sort of a miracle.

13. JYP

‍Last season result – 13^th place (missed playoffs)

Major transfers:

Signed:

• Pekka Jormakka
• Nathan Schnarr
• Otto Makinen
• Valtteri Ojantakanen
• Johan Pennerborn (head coach)

Leaving:

• Christoffer Braden
• Jerry Turkulainen
• Mikko Petman
• C.J.Smith
• Reid Gardiner
• Robert Rooba
• Mikko Heiskanen (head coach)

Player to watch – Pekka Jormakka

A summer of changing. Changing everything. The front-office had lots of work, when JYP missed playoffs for the 4^th straight time last season. Jerry Turkulainen – the player, who carried the team practically alone last seasons and regular season MVP from last year – was let to go, while Nathan Schnarr, 50 (18+32) points with Pelicans (2023-24), will try to change him. This, arguably, was the biggest signing in the offseason. The former captain of Jukurit Pekka Jormakka will help him, alongside with Valtteri Ojantakanen from SaiPa. Changes were significant, and the team will, undoubtedly, be in a playoff contention, but the lack of depth in the lineup will cause JYP missing the post-season by the smallest of margins.

12. Jukurit

‍Last season result – lost in the quarterfinal

Major transfers:

Signed:

• Peter Abbandonato
• Kim Johansson
• Max Ellis
• Isaac Johnson
• Alex Berardinelli
• Severi Immonen
• Thomas Olse
• Sakke Hamalainen
• Marko Tuomainen (head coach)

Leaving:

• Konsta Helenius
• Pekka Jormakka
• Patrik Puistola
• Niko Huuhtanen
• Oskars Batna
• Michal Kovarcik
• Ondrej Kovarcik
• Linus Nassen
• Oliver Larsen
• Jarkko Immonen

Player to watch – Markus Ruusu

Olli Jokinen built a mega-team in Mikkeli through the last 3 years, with the 2023-24 season becoming a glory one for the small town.

In some moments, Jukurit was 2^nd in the standings, and practically nailed the comeback against Karpat in the playoffs. Jokinen, however, chased the new challenge in Sweden with Timra IK, and the winner of Mestis with IPK, Marko Tuomainen is the replacement. All the leader group left Mikkeli: Helenius with Huuntanen went to face the NHL dream, Puistola, who scored one of the most epic goals against Karpat last season, signed with Orebro, Jormakka and Larsen changed the clubs in Liiga itself. Jesper Piitulainen – the longest-serving Viking, was named captain for this season, and with the addition of players from North America Jukurit will try to build on a brand-new team. I suppose it can be enough to secure the playoff spot, but to be determined how far.

11. Lukko

‍Last season result – lost in the first round

Major transfers:

Signed:

• Nuutti Viitasalo
• Otto Heinonen
• Anton Olsson
• Antti Virtanen
• John Lethemon
• Karson Kuhlman
• Patrick Khodorenko

Leaving:

• Josh Brook
• Tuukka Tieksola
• Matt Abt
• Samuli Piipponen
• Julius Mattila
• Tarmo Reunanen
• Gabriel Fontaine
• Brayden Burke

Player to watch – Sebastian Repo

In the offseason, the team from Rauma didn’t become stronger: practically all Canadian stars either returned home or continued their journey in different European countries. I will point the departure of Julius Mattila, who has signed with Tappara, out as the most significant one. However, the leader of the team, Sebastian Repo, who has built a legacy in Rauma by winning the Kanada-malja for the first time in 48 years in 2020-21 season, will try to help the team to advance to the playoffs, however, it will be difficult to earn more than that.

10. Ässät

‍Last season result – missed playoffs

Major transfers:

SIgned:

• Olli Pallola
• Kasper Puutio
• Valtteri Viljanen
• Peter Tiivola
• Jonne Tammela
• Jarno Pikkarainen (head coach)

Leaving:

• Jonathan Davidsson
• Marcus Davidsson
• Libor Zabransky
• Martin Lefebrve
• Aleksi Matinmikko
• Will Graber
• Jere Härkälä

Player to watch – Lenni Hameenaho

Ässät has made some changes to the team’s depth this summer, deciding to stay with the current leadership group of Eemil Erholtz, Jan-Mikael Jarvinen and Lenni Hameenaho. The last one, the prospect of New Jersey Devils, has put up a stellar performance last season, producing 31 (14+17) points. If he can keep it up this year, it is a big chance that we can see him in the NHL in the upcoming years. The biggest change was made at the head coach position, where Jarno Pikkarainen, the former coach of HIFK, tool the control over. The tendency of bringing in young players with the chemistry of the leaders can lead the team from Pori to a good season.

9. Vaasan Sport

‍Last season result – lost in the first-round 

Major transfers:

Signed:

• Niilo Halonen
• Linus Andersson
• Viktor Lang
• Otso Rantakari
• Juuso Hahl (head coach)

Leaving:

• Reece Scarlett
• Zack Hayes
• Jens Looke
• Teemu Suhonen
• Juho Tommila
• Risto Dufva (head coach)

‍Player to watch – Miroslav Svoboda

Despite the departure of Risto Dufva, the roster of Vaasan Sport didn’t change much. The significant loss is Jens Looke, who signed with Ilves, but Linus Andersson from KooKoo will receive a 1RW role this year. Despite very rough pre-season games, the team can create difficulties for everyone in the league and will seek the opportunity in every centimeter of the ice. Miroslav Svoboda, the goaltender from Czech Republic, had a splendid last season, playing 50 regular season games out of 60 possible. This man can keep the team in practically any situation. The playoff contention is the minimum, what this team can reach.

8. TPS

‍Last season result – lost in the quarterfinal

Major transfers:

Signed:

• Jean-Christophe Beaudin
• Carter Savoie
• Eetu Pakkila
• Markus Oden
• Adam Werner

Leaving:

• Emil Hemming
• Ruben Rafkin
• Markus Nurmi
• Linus Froberg
• Kalle Vaisanen

Player to watch – Petrus Palmu

The team from Turku had a quite strong last season, with getting into the best-eight and giving a fight to future champion Tappara, losing in six games. The lineup did change a little, with a top-prospect and this year first-rounder for Dallas Stars (29^th overall) Emil Hemming departing to the OHL, a top-4 defender Ruben Rafkin joining Tappara, and striker Markus Nurmi signing with Lulea (Sweden). However, the main group and the playing system of head coach Tommi Miettinen stayed in Turku, and TPS can be a legit playoff-team this year.

7. Kiekko-Espoo

‍Last season result – bronze medal (Mestis)

Major transfers:

Signed:

• Cameron Hillis
• Peter Quenneville
• Eelis Marila
• Venni Tolppola
• Heikki Liedes
• Aleksi Laakso
• Kasper Kulonummi
• Anders Koch
• Joni Ikonen
• Jyrki Aho (head coach)

Leaving:

• Piotr Ciepielewski
• Oskari Utriainen
• Ron Gustafsson
• Tomas Westerlund (head coach)

Player to watch – Heikki Liedes

The newest Liiga member – Kiekko-Espoo is looking to surprise everyone in their inaugural season, the team had one of the strongest offseason, adding not only depth players, but also top-6 wingers, such as Heikki Liedes and Peter Quenneville, without losing practically anything. The pre-season games made me sure that they are ready to a new challenge. This team is a dark horse, with a great balance between the lines and a desire to show themselves at the highest level.

6. KalPa

‍Last season result – 4^th place

Major transfers:

Signed:

• Patrick Curry
• Iivari Rasanen
• Veeti Miettinen
• Oliver Larsen
• Lukas Kanak

Leaving:

• Anton Karlsson
• Sami Tavernier
• Oliver Kapanen
• Saku Salmela
• Severi Immonen
• Hugo Gallet
• Aapeli Raasanen

Player to watch – Oliver Larsen

The team from the North of Suomi had a great last year, shocking Ilves in the playoffs, and losing only in overtime to Karpat in a bronze-medal game. Unfortunately, the young star of Oliver Kapanen decided to leave KalPa and joined Timra Ik as a trampling to the NHL. Raasanen and Gallet, who played a big part in middle-6 also left the team. Despite this, the team got the 1D in the face of Oliver Larsen, who was 0.5 PPG last season with Jukurit, and can play a ton of ice-time. This campaign will give an answer on whether 4^th place was a one-time outbreak, or there is a new top-team in Liiga.

5. Ilves

‍Last season result – lost in the quarterfinal

Major transfers:

Signed:

• Jakub Malek
• Ilvari Heikkinen
• Joonas Nattinen
• Toni Utunen
• Erik Borg
• Kasper Bjorkqvist
• Jens Looke
• Dominik Pavlat
• Tommi Niemela (head coach)

Leaving:

• Sami Niku
• Emil Jarventie
• Eetu Pakkila
• Joona Ikonen
• Adam Clendening
• Oula Palve
• Antti Pennanen (head coach)

Player to watch – Eemeli Suomi

Disappointing seasons continue to happen at the yellow-green side of Tampere – once again Ilves lost in the quarterfinals and could not achieve the final-four, while Tappara celebrated another championship. Antti Pennanen went on to coach the National Team for the NHL 4-Nations Face-Off, while Tommi Niemela (last 2 seasons finalist with Pelicans) was welcomed to Ilves. On paper, the team can win over anyone in Liiga. The question here is in the hockey psychology and, maybe even, in a bad curse. The goalie tandem of Malek-Pavlat will be a top-3 this season, while Eemeli Suomi, who has 350+ points in Liiga throughout his career, will carry on the offensive part, already scoring the OT GWG in CHL-opener against Unia Oswiecim. Is this enough for at least the Finals? We will see, but there are big doubts about it.

3-4. IFK Helsinki

‍Last season result – lost in the quarterfinal

Major transfers:

Signed:

• Panu Mieho
• Daniel Makiaho
• Petr Kodytek
• Ronald Knot
• Juhani Jasu

Leaving:

• Joni Ikonen
• Juha Jaaska
• Eetu Koivistoinen
• Teemu Tallberg
• Niko Hovinen
• Julius Nattinen
• Miro Vaananen
• Johan Motin

Player to watch – Jori Lehtera

Pelicans – IFK series were a banger last season, as the capital-team coming back from being 0-3 down, and almost completing the reverse-sweep, but Lars Bryggman broke the hearts of IFK, scoring the Game 7 GWG with 2 minutes remaining in 3^rd period. The changes were made in the lineup, with the legendary goalkeeper Niko Hovinen retired, top-6 forwards Nattinen and Jaaska with a defender Motin also left the club. Among signings it is needed to figure the person of Petr Kodytek (40 points with Ilves, 2023-24). Together with NHL and KHL former star Jori Lehtera, Iiro Pakarinen and Kristian Vesalainen will lead the team’s offense. If you need a fight – there is Leo Komarov. The average level of the players is quite high, and this year IFK should be in a final-four.

3-4. Pelicans

Last season result – 2^nd place

Major transfers:

Signed:

• Libor Zabransky
• Iikka Kangasniemi
• Miro Vaananen
• Wyatt Kalunyk
• Michael Vukojevic
• Juhamatti Yli-Junnila (head coach)

Leaving:

• left:

• Filip Kral
• Nathan Schnarr
• Toni Utunen
• Aleks Haatanen
• Kasper Puutio
• Jesse Kiiskinen
• Aatu Jamsen
• Tommi Niemela (head coach)

Player to watch – Lars Bryggman

Pelicans – the finalist of the last 2 seasons, had 4 big losses in the offseason, but managed to do everything to level out them. The leading defenceman Filip Kral, 45 (6+39) points, clearly overgrown the level of Liiga, and now starts his journey at the camp of Pittsburgh Penguins. Libor Zabransky from Assat was signed to Lahti to the 1-2D position, but he is much more defensive, than Kral was, so there is a problem in the quarterback position for the powerplay. Iikka Kangasniemi returns to Lahti to be a top-liner instead of Nathan Schnarr, who leaved to Jyvaskyla. Youngstar Aatu Jamsen leaved to Ontario Reign (AHL, LA Kings affiliate). Some good signings to the bottom-6 were made. Alongside with a new coach, the team will definitely look different, but it still remains a formidable force.

2. Tappara

‍Last season result – champion

Major transfers:

SIgned:

• Juha Metsola
• Paavo Kohonen
• Joose Antonen
• Aleksi Mustonen
• Emil Jarventie
• Ruben Rafkin
• Daniel Brickley
• Hugo Gallet
• Aleksi Matinmikko
• Julius Mattila
• Verneri Ahonen
• Aapeli Rasanen

Leaving:

• Anton Levtchi
• Petri Kontiola
• Nicholas Baptiste
• Heikki Liedes
• Christian Heljanko
• Valtteri Kemilainen
• Veli-Matti Vittasmaki

Player to watch – Kristian Tanus

Tappara beat everyone again last year by winning third consecutive Kanada-malja. Unfortunately, the team lost practically all its leaders. Heljanko, arguably the best goalie outside the NHL, after winning the Jari Kurri Trophy (Playoffs MVP), joined Linkoping, Anton “The Magician” Levtchi, who had 71 (28+43) points and scored a hat-trick to comeback in the Game 4 of the Finals, signed with Lulea, as a foreign-option in the contract, Petri Kontiola retired after finally winning the championship and the top-pair defencemen Vittasmaki-Kemilainen left to the Center Europe. The team lost the best line in Liiga in the offseason. Of course, the signings were also made and the management did everything they could: Juha Metsola is a great starting goaltender, Aleksi Mustonen and Julius Mattila will likely receive time in the top-6, Aapeli Rasanen will try to secure the spot in the 1^st line. Another piece of good news for Tappara – Kristian Tanus is finally healthy and ready to put up a show together with ageless Veli-Matti Savinainen. However, the team, for sure, didn’t become stronger, and for the first time in 5 years Tappara does not have the best lineup in the championship. The coach Gronborg will have come up with something new to win again. The last thing, which is also worth to mention – no team has won 4 consecutive Kanada-malja Trophy. Will Tappara prevail once again?

1. Karpat

‍Last season result – 3^rd place

Major transfers:

Signed:

• Austin Rueschhoff
• Josh Melnick
• Michal Kovarcik
• Ben Tardif
• Reid Gardiner
• Viljami Juusola

Leaving:

• Ville Koivunen
• Kasper Bjorkvist
• Peter Tiivola

Player to watch – Michal Kovarcik

As it was expected, the current-best Finnish prospect, in my opinion, Ville Koivunen left to conquer the North America. However, the team from Oulu became even stronger in the offseason. 2 AHLers Austin Rueschhoff and Josh Melnick will bring great experience and leadership, Ben Tardif and Reid Gardiner will produce at the highest level, and Michal Kovarcik will have even stronger linemates than last year in Mikkeli. With the best Liiga-goalscorer Teemu Turunen and his linemate Aleksi Antti-Roiko, Karpat is the main favorite to win it all. How it will happen – we will see in 8 months!

In closing of this Liiga preview for each of the Liiga clubs above, we look forward to an exciting year ahead as we scout games on the ice and talk with players, coaches, and staff off the ice.