In Milan-Cortina all the stars of the NHL to relaunch ice hockey in Europe – Sport

MILANO – After twelve years, hockey professionals will return to Milan-Cortina, having been absent since Sochi 2014. And given the importance of the event, Italy has decided to rely on the Finnish coach Jukka Jalonen: “I worked here in Italy for 25 years as coach of Alleghe, I love your sporting mentality. And I am very motivated. I don’t know the players well, but I have a very prepared staff. In November in Budapest we will play the first match”, said the new Italian coach, presented at the Allianz skyscraper, in the “Baita” of Milan-Cortina.

Malagò: “Hockey has a huge following”

John Malagopresident of Coni and of Milano Cortina 2026 Foundationsaid of Jalonen: “Thank you Jukka for being here and for believing in our team. Your sporting and personal history shows how great your passion is. We are happy that you are with us and that the Italian federation has supported this candidacy”. And he recalled: “Jukka began his coaching career at a very young age and achieved very important results. Hockey has a huge international following and we have decided to aim high”.

No preclusions for foreigners

Jukka Jalonen, a Finnish national team coach, led his country to a gold medal at the IIHF World Championship. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, he coached the team that won Finland’s first ever Olympic gold medal in ice hockey. He was the head coach of Jokerit in the Kontinental Hockey League from 2016 to 2018 before returning to coach the Finnish national team. And he announced that he does not want to do without oriundi in the selection of players: “I will simply call up the best”. The goal is also to take Italy to the next World Cup, given that today the national team is excluded from the best 16 in the world.

Milan throws down the gauntlet to Paris

Andrea Giospresident of the Italian Ice Sports Federation (FISG), made a realistic statement: “We know we can’t aspire to a medal, but we want to make a good impression.” This doesn’t mean settling: “Jalonen will be assisted by an Italian staff. We wanted Jukka because we know he represents excellence in our world. He has always been able to bring athletes who didn’t have the same skills as his competitors to success. In his career he has been able to create unity and cohesion, with a great tactical structure,” added Gios. Then, the challenge in Paris: “In terms of organization, we will be able to do better than the French. I quote Velasco: everyone wants to win, few are ready to make sacrifices, very few believe in it all the way.”

The sports hall will be ready on time

Marcello Cobellihead of the Hockey sector of the Italian Ice Sports Federation (FISG), added: “We are sure that the future of our ice hockey will be much brighter than in the past”. And on the occasion, the CEO of Milano-Cortina Andrea Varnier assured: “The Santa Giulia ice rink will be ready in time for the Olympics, even if we are aware of the fact that the last few weeks will be crucial”.