HIFK announced its captaincy for the upcoming season - here is the team's new captain

HIFK announced its captaincy for the Liiga season 2025-26.

The new captain of the team is Iiro Pakarinen. The alternate captains are Ilari Melart and Jori Lehterä.

– Iiro represents the HIFK that we want to be. He has a history with the club, which also weighs in the balance, but the daily work and leading by example is the biggest thing. Operating under the team’s values is top-notch, head coach Olli Jokinen states in the club’s announcement.

Melart was the captain of HIFK for the last two seasons. During his absence due to injuries, Lehterä also took on the captain’s responsibilities.

– We have a very good captaincy. If one of them is absent, we go by the earning logic, Jokinen says.

Pakarinen, 33, has played 279 regular season games for HIFK, scoring 96+58=145 points. Last season, he achieved a personal best of 30+12=42 points in 58 games and won the league’s goal scoring title.

– Of course, it feels great. It is a great honor and privilege to serve as captain of this club. I have been part of the captaincy for the past couple of years, but when I heard about this from Olli, it gave me a really amazing, warm, and proud feeling, Pakarinen explains.

Pakarinen describes in HIFK’s announcement what kind of captain he intends to be for his team.

– A captain who leads by example. I may not be the loudest in the locker room, but luckily there are several guys to take on that role. I can also show an example verbally if needed, but my way has always been to do things as well as possible both on and off the ice.