The league’s best were awarded – KooKoo celebrated, Tappara scooped up all-star spots
The best of the Liiga season 2025-26 were awarded in Helsinki over the weekend.
The Kalevi Numminen award for the best coach of the season was won for the first time in his career by KooKoo’s Jouko Myrrä, who led the Kouvola club to its first-ever final appearance in the club’s history. Myrrä received the top spot from every voting ice hockey journalist.
The best defender award was claimed by Ilves’ Simon Johansson, who broke the club’s record for most points by a defender in a single season with 51 points.
The best goalkeeper was chosen as KooKoo’s Eetu Randelin. The gentleman player award was won by Ässät’s Jan-Mikael Järvinen, and the rookie of the year was awarded to SaiPa’s Emil Kuusla.
The all-star lineup of the past season consists of goalkeeper Eetu Randelin, defenders Simon Hjalmarsson and Jyrki Jokipakka (Tappara), as well as forwards Mikael Ruohomaa (Lukko), Benjamin Rautiainen (Tappara), and Joachim Blichfeld (Tappara).
Jukka-Pekka Koistinen was awarded referee of the year and Joni Pekkala was named linesman of the year.
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