HIFK hired a new coach: “Brings tactical expertise”
HIFK has strengthened its coaching staff this season with Vesa Petäjä, 41. The Helsinki club announced on Friday that Petäjä will join the coaching team led by head coach Tommi Miettinen immediately.
Petäjä will arrive in Finland over the weekend. He has been working as the head coach of the Italian HC Unterland in the Alps Hockey League at the beginning of the season.
– It’s great that we are bringing Petäjä into the coaching staff. Miettinen wanted him on board earlier, but it was important for Vesa to handle things properly in Italy. Petäjä will bring tactical expertise to the coaching team, HIFK’s sports director Janne Laukkanen says in the club’s announcement.
Petäjä and Miettinen know each other from TPS. Petäjä was part of the coaching staff of the Turku club’s Liiga team from 2021 to 2025, while Miettinen worked as the head coach of TPS during the 2023–2025 seasons.
Petäjä also has coaching experience in Mestis and junior hockey. He has previously served as the head coach of Peliitat and coached the junior teams of Pelicans.
According to HIFK, Petäjä’s arrival completes the team’s coaching staff for this season. The coaching team led by Miettinen includes, in addition to Petäjä, Ville Viitaluoma and Jan Lundell.
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