Ilves dropped a big goalkeeper news!

Ilves has made a commitment to its goalkeeper department for the next season. The Tupsukorvat have signed a one-year extension with Mantas Armalis, 33.

– Mantas Armalis is a top personality and a true professional in terms of his playing, mental, and physical attributes. He is a good example of how professional and holistic preparation can quickly lead to high-quality performance on the field, even after a break from games. We are very pleased with the way he integrated into our team and his actions both on the field and in the locker room, commented Ilves’ sports director Timo Koskela in the club’s statement.

The Lithuanian Armalis has played nine matches this season between Ilves’ posts. In those, his save percentage has been excellent at 92.5.

Armalis’ contract extension is already a preparation for the next season for Ilves, when the number of teams and possibly matches in the Liiga is expected to increase.

– With the CHL, we as a club have already become accustomed to large numbers of games in recent seasons, but the potentially increasing number of games in the upcoming Liiga season, which would be desirable for sporting fairness, the high stakes, the possible irregularity of the league schedule, and matches on consecutive days will challenge all clubs and players in a comprehensive new way even during the regular season, Koskela commented.

– A four-fold regular season, regardless of the number of teams, is, in our view, the only correct and fair sporting model for the Liiga super season 2026–2027. Teams need quality and depth in all areas, and we are really pleased that we reached a contract extension with Mantas at this stage.