Joonas Nättinen, who won Olympic gold in 2022 with the Lions, intends to continue his long career next season as well. The 35-year-old forward hinted in the spring that his career might be over after Ilves suffered a semifinal defeat to Tappara.

However, the tone has changed now. Nättinen tells Keskisuomalainen that he plans to continue his playing career next season.

– I might have said it a bit poorly in the moment of disappointment. I have always intended to continue playing, Nättinen states.

The experienced center is primarily looking for a new team in Finland but is also keeping foreign options open.

– I am primarily searching for a position in the league, but foreign options are not ruled out either, says the JYP graduate.

Nättinen played for Ilves for the last two seasons and served as the captain of the Tampere club in the recently concluded season. Throughout his long career, he has also become familiar with the KHL and SHL, and his resume includes one NHL game with the Montreal Canadiens.

In the recently concluded Liiga season, Nättinen recorded 12 points with 3 goals and 9 assists in 50 regular season games.

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