Ice hockey coach Jukka Jalonen‘s son Jimi Jalonen has quietly ended his playing career and joined the ranks of HPK, reports Ilta-Sanomat. The 29-year-old Jalonen currently works as a player scout for the Hämeenlinna club.

Jalonen played his last games in the fall with the Anglet team in the French league. Long-standing knee issues ultimately led to the decision to stop playing.

– I have had knee problems for a long time, and that’s what ended my playing, Jalonen says.

However, the career did not end in emptiness, as the transition to a new role went smoothly.

– I got through surprisingly easily. I had several years of battling those injuries. In a way, quitting was a relief, Jalonen says.

During his career, Jalonen played over a hundred regular season games in the league for HPK, Jukurit, Kärpät, and SaiPa. Additionally, the defender was seen last season in Mestis with Jokers.

Player scouting and sports management have interested Jalonen for a long time.

– I have always been interested in this side of the business, Jalonen says about his new role.

– Players and statistics have always interested me, even during my playing career.

Jalonen started with HPK on a trial basis in November and has been working full-time as a player scout since the beginning of the year. At the club, he collaborates closely with coaching staff and another player scout to build the team.

In everyday life, support also comes from his father, experienced top coach Jukka Jalonen.

– We talk almost daily. I ask a lot of questions. How to work with the coaches and so on, Jalonen says.

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