We’ve looked at the captains of each team, but what about the key men behind the benches? Both finalists have head coaches with domestic success, although they’ve taken different routes in their careers.
Swedish-born Sam Hallam has had a successful journey so far in the CHL, leading the Växjö Lakers to seven wins and only four losses throughout the competition. The 32-year-old started his career playing for AIK Stockholm's junior and senior teams. After three years of alternating between both teams, Hallam played four seasons with Bofors IK. His coaching career started in 2006 when he became an assistant coach for the same club. Three seasons later, he was promoted to head coach and stayed for four years – leading them to the playoffs each time. In 2012, he moved to become an assistant coach for the Växjö Lakers.
One season into his time in Växjö, Hallam was promoted to head coach mid-season, succeeding Janne Karlsson. Six seasons since his promotion, Hallam led the Växjö Lakers to the 2014-15 Swedish Hockey League champions and now has the Lakers to the CHL Finals. Currently top of their domestic league, the Lakers are one of Europe’s hottest teams right now.
His opposite number in the CHL Final is Finnish-born, 49-year-old Marko Virtanen. Before starting his coaching career, Virtanen played between JYP’s under-20 and professional teams for around 10 years. During the 1992/93 season, he played eight games with the Finnish national team and 11 games in the 1993/94 season, as well as playing for JYP in the Finnish Liiga. In 1996, Virtanen moved to play in the Swedish Hockey league, but returned to JYP after three seasons and continued playing with them until retiring in 2000.
His coaching career began when he was appointed assistant coach for JYP-Akatemia. After two years, he started coaching JYP’s under-20 team, then moved ahead to become an assistant coach for JYP Jyväskylä for two seasons. Arriving mid-season in 2012, Virtanen helped the Jyväskylä team on its way to becoming league champions. By the start of the 2013/14 season, Virtanen was appointed head coach of JYP and in his first season won the European Trophy. Despite being fourth in their domestic league, Virtanen has led his team to the CHL FInals after a close Semi-Final against Oceláři Třinec.
Växjö and JYP both have successful and experienced coaches behind their benches. It’s a great match-up and it’ll be a great challenge for both leaders in the one-off Final.