Ilves Tampere will make their Champions Hockey League debut this season and their fans, and Finnish hockey fans in general, couldn't be more excited to see the traditional club return to the European stage. Even more exciting is the fact that for the very first time in the CHL, two clubs from the same city will be competing at once!
We all know Tapppara Tampere, the seven-time CHL participants and last season's Finalists, but here's an introduction to the other Tampere team - Ilves Tampere, who we will see on CHL ice for the very first time late this year.
Ilves played their best season in a long time last season when they landed third place in the Liiga regular season standings. During the playoffs they managed to defeat one of Liiga’s most successful teams, Kärpät Oulu, but in the semi-finals, TPS Turku proved too tough for the young team. Their 2021/22 season concluded with a historical bronze medal as they finally rose to the podium after 21 years of waiting.
Ilves were established in 1931 and were a promising Finnish sports organization right from the very start. The club won their first championship in the 30’s and have won 16 in total to this day. Their first gold medal came whilst they were still skating on a frozen lake, and since 1965, Ilves have been competing in Finland’s first-ever ice hall, Hakametsä. Recently, however, this legendary arena was left to Liiga history and Ilves have since moved to the new Nokia Arena which they share with their biggest rivals and last season's CHL Finalists Tappara Tampere.
Being a household name in the Finnish hockey scene does mean something. Ilves have been in the hearts and minds of Finnish hockey fans for decades – only, their popularity has waxed and waned due to the club’s own ups and downs of late. The glory days of the green, black, and yellow were in the years when the club was still skating outside, in the open air. Unfortunately, Ilves had only won two championships while skating in the Hakametsä rink. Added to the fact is that Ilves have had their fair share of scary moments including a close call with bankruptcy and relegation. Thankfully, neither went through, but these moments are imprinted in Ilves' fans who hope that the future of their hockey team will only get brighter.
Still, while many clubs in Finland have collapsed, Ilves have persevered. Their current CEO Risto Jalo is also a champion – and hero – who played with the team in 1985. Furthermore, Ilves' player recruitment under Sports Director Timo Koskela has been as dominant as ever.
Speaking of legends, Jalo is just one of the many big names of Finnish hockey who have represented Ilves in their careers. Other players who have enshrined their names in the country's hockey history include Raimo Helminen, Raimo Summanen, Jukka Tammi, Timo Peltomaa, Lasse Oksanen, as well as the late Aarne Honkavaara. The granddad of Finnish hockey did a lot for the sport in many different fields. In fact, the award for the best goal-scorer in Liiga is named after Honkavaara.
So, while Ilves may have been playing under the radar these past couple of decades, their return to form is finally here. Further evidence of this can be seen as the Tampere team will join the CHL next season alongside their rivals Tappara. This will likely attract ice hockey fans from around Europe to watch them play.
However, despite not playing on one for some time, it’s not Ilves' first time on an international rink. The club made their appearance in both the European Trophy tournament and the Continental Cup in the 60’s, 90’s and early 2000’s. This means there will be generations of fans who remember, and who will support, the brand and the logo of Ilves on the European stage.