IL: Toni Söderholm now reveals what happened in the case of Tarmo Reunanen - "It's sick"

The head coach of TPS, Toni Söderholm, has dismissed speculation circulating in public that the collision involving Tarmo Reunanen during practice on February 12 would have affected the defender’s position in the team.

During practice, Reunanen made a hard tackle on 19-year-old Aatos Koivu, as a result of which Koivu had to miss two games. There has been speculation in public that the collision may have affected Reunanen’s position and led to his being sidelined, but Söderholm strongly denies any connection.

In connection with the incident, it has been pointed out that Koivu’s uncle Mikko Koivu is part of the coaching staff at TPS and his father Saku Koivu is in the team management. Söderholm strongly denies any connection.

– It is sick that things are twisted like this. There is not a shred of truth in those claims. That is total disinformation from the followers of the sport. Let’s consider the opinions of people who do not know what the truth is, Söderholm stated in an Iltalehti interview.

According to the head coach, Reunanen was already out of the playing lineup before the practice in question.

– When this collision happened in practice, Reunanen had already been outside the playing lineup, Söderholm reminds.

Reunanen’s exclusion from the lineup was not unusual. He was sidelined on February 7 and 10, as well as twice last year. According to Söderholm, the decisions were based on the competitive situation and performance in games.

– Reunanen was already outside the playing lineup for the first times at the end of last year. We had a situation in the defense where there were many healthy defensemen, fierce competition for positions, and a busy game schedule. We rotated the defensemen.

The 27-year-old Reunanen started the season strongly, but as his performance level dropped, he was sidelined in February.

– The fact is that ‘Tare’ did not reach his best level later in the season. We, as coaches, did not get the best out of him in the role for which he was brought in, Söderholm says.

On Tuesday, Reunanen moved to HC Ajoie in the Swiss top league for the remainder of the season. His contract with TPS also covers next season.