When tabloid Ilta-Sanomat announced earlier this month that recently retired Finnish men's national ice hockey team coach Jukka Jalonen had taken a job coaching the Italian national team, many thought it was an April Fool's joke.
Jalonen has not yet signed an official contract, but on Monday morning the Italian Ice Sport Federation announced that he would be the new coach of the Italian national team.
Finland's most successful national team coach will lead the Italian team in the 2025 and 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships on a two-year contract. Additionally, since Italy is hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics, Jalonen will coach the Italian team in Milan.
"I can well understand if this came as a surprise to many. For me, this seems like a really good choice, and the coaches around me have agreed. I will listen to their views," Jalonen told Yle Sport. He coached HC Alleghe in the Italian Hockey League Serie A during the 1998-99 season.
Jalonen excited for new scenery
Initially the Italian federation only wanted Jalonen on board as a consultant, but conversations progressed and both parties were interested in the national team project.
The Italians wanted to make sure that Jalonen would be loyal to the programme and not take any other coaching during his two-year-stint as head coach. The only exception for another coaching position would be if a National Hockey League (NHL) team in North America calls Jalonen up.
"There is no option in the contract other than the NHL option, which I don't think is very likely to happen. But I made it clear that I am loyal and respect the contract and will not take another European club coaching job during the contract period," Jalonen said.
Ice hockey in Italy
Italy is not much of a heavy hitter in international ice hockey, a sport that has historically been dominated by six countries — Canada, Russia, the United States, Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic.
Italy's men's national team has fluctuated between the upper echelons of international ice hockey, getting relegated from the IIHF's top division in 2022 down to its second-tier Division 1. Since Italy is hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics, the team is guaranteed a bid in the Olympic tournament.
Hockey is a northern sport in Italy, particularly in the German-speaking region of South Tyrol. Jalonen will be based out of this region in the city of Bolzano, considered the hockey capital of Italy.
In addition to working on the national team, Jalonen will also be working to develop the sport as a whole in Italy.
Jalonen is no stranger to underdog stories with the Finnish national team and has ticked off every possible accomplishment as head coach of the Lions. He said that the prospect of coaching in Italy greatly appeals to him.
"This is a really different project and option, and that's what's so fascinating about it, of course. We're doing something completely new. And I know from personal experience that the quality of life in Northern Italy is high. The scenery is beautiful, the people are nice and the food is good," Jalonen added.
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