HIFK: big news!
HIFK has appointed Janne Laukkanen as the new sports director. The former NHL defenseman will start in his role on August 1, 2026, and will be responsible for the overall sports operations of the club, including building the Liiga team, recruitment, and the sporting strategy.
HIFK has been searching for a new sports director since the club decided to end the employment of Janne Pesonen last November. After this, the role was temporarily handled by a working group that included Mika Kortelainen, head coach Olli Jokinen, and CEO Ilkka Kortesluoma.
The past season was difficult for HIFK due to injuries, but the team still made it to the playoffs. KalPa eliminated HIFK in the first round with a series score of 3–2.
– HIFK is one of the most significant clubs in Finnish ice hockey, and the goal is to build a long-term winning culture, says CEO Ilkka Kortesluoma in a statement.
Laukkanen moves to the position from Lahti Pelicans, where he served as sports director for ten seasons. He has also previously worked at HPK and had a long career in the NHL as well as with the Finnish national team.
HIFK’s sports development director will continue to be Timo Elo, who is responsible for the junior pathway and the continuity of coaching from the U18 age group to Liiga.
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