Pelicans’ new sports director is known!
The Lahti Pelicans announce that Jarkko Oikarinen is the club’s new sports director. Oikarinen will start in his role immediately.
Oikarinen, 41, has worked in recent years in Sweden on the payroll of Kalmar HC. He initially served as assistant GM and later also as sports director. Kalmar plays in Allsvenskan, which is the second tier of Swedish hockey.
– We were not looking for a name, but the right profile. We sought a person who understands how to build sports operations and how to look at the player market proactively. Jarkko combines the mindset of a builder, international understanding, and strong networks, especially towards North America, Pelicans’ CEO Juuso Pulliainen states in the club’s announcement.
Oikarinen succeeds Janne Laukkas, who served as Pelicans’ sports director for ten seasons. He recently moved to become the sports director of HIFK.
– A lot has been done right in Pelicans under Janne Laukkas, and this is a good foundation to continue together with the club. I want to bring clarity to the sports operations, more collaboration, and a belief in long-term work. We need to start doing and see what we can achieve, instead of talking big about what we will do, Oikarinen says.
Oikarinen’s strengths include understanding different hockey cultures and extensive contact networks in Finland, Sweden, and North America.
– I believe in long-term work. Success is built on trusting teamwork, and trust is created through interaction. Success is always made together.
– The goal is to build competitiveness in the long term so that the club can fight at the highest level possible year after year, Oikarinen concludes.
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