Harri Pesonen bid farewell to his long-time team – this is how he commented on the continuation of his career
Veteran forward Harri Pesonen, 37, who has won Olympic gold and two World Championship golds with the Lions, played his last game for his long-time club SCL Tigers on Monday.
The Swiss league played its final round of the regular season on Monday, and SCL Tigers missed the playoffs. The club announced in February that it would not offer Pesonen a contract extension, marking the end of a significant era.
Pesonen represented the Tigers for seven seasons, serving as the team’s captain for the last four seasons. He played 343 games for the club, the most by any foreign player in the club’s history. Pesonen recorded 250 points, placing him seventh in the club’s all-time scoring list and second among foreign players.
Pesonen bid an emotional farewell to his long-time club. Fans had made a “Thank you Harri” tifo that adorned the stands before the start of the game. After the match, Pesonen thanked the fans on the ice with his family and received loud applause.
In a post-game interview, Pesonen was asked how it felt to become a club legend as a foreign player.
– Maybe people recognize me a bit better here. I’m lucky to have ended up in such a place. The people welcomed me and my family wonderfully, Pesonen said.
Pesonen also commented on the continuation of his career.
– It feels like I might have one or two good years left ahead. It feels like the gas isn’t quite out yet.
Pesonen mentioned that decisions might be heard in the coming weeks. However, he did not reveal whether his plans are in Switzerland or Finland.
– Let’s see what happens, Pesonen simply stated.
Pesonen has also represented Lausanne in Switzerland for four seasons. He is the third most productive Finnish player in the history of the Swiss league with 391 points. Only Kimmo Rintanen (553) and Petteri Nummelin (496) are ahead of him.
In Finland, Pesonen last played in the 2011-12 season, when he represented his youth club JYP.
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