For this reason, Jokerit shelved their star – Tomek Valtonen to IS: "Really simple"

The head coach of Jokerit Tomek Valtonen made a bold decision on Tuesday when the summer signings Maxime Fortier and Matt Caito were completely left out of the lineup for the Pelicans match. Jokerit defeated Pelicans 3–0 and took their first win of the season.

According to Valtonen, it was purely a sporting decision.

– I don’t know if it’s sending any message in itself. We want the best players to play from night to night – and in relation to that role. It’s really simple, Valtonen said to Ilta-Sanomat after the game.

Before facing Pelicans, Jokerit had lost all five of their matches. However, Valtonen did not want to call the shelving of the star signings a wake-up call.

– I don’t know if this is a wake-up call. It’s too easy to say it’s a wake-up call. I am satisfied with our performance.

Still, the situation of Fortier and Caito remained open. Valtonen did not promise the duo a return for the TPS match on Friday.

– There are always injuries, and Valtteri Pulli is currently injured. It has to be weighed and considered how each player performed today. A win is a win, but it’s not written anywhere that if we win, everyone continues, Valtonen said.

– We will of course look at each individual player to see how they perform in their role and how they play in relation to their own level.

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League | 26.10.2026 18:43