Despite being from Finland, veteran winger Teemu Laine is now long associated with Swedish club HV71 Jonkoping. He just recently helped his team eliminate Finnish club Lukko Rauma from the CHL Round of 32.

by Miro Perhe

RAUMA – Teemu Laine is a valuable veteran presence on HV71 Jonkoping. The 34-year-old Finnish winger first arrived in the Swedish city in 2008 and, except for a three-year period in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk and Donbass Donetsk, has played there ever since. 

This is now his third Champions Hockey League for the club, including the original 2008-09 season. So far this season, he has a goal and an assist in four CHL games. 

On Tuesday, he was back in his native Finland against Lukko Rauma to help HV71 gain a spot in the Round of 16. He spoke after the game. 

How would you describe the game and series?

“We started well in the first game, got the 2-0 lead and kept it till the end. We had a little bit of trouble in the first shifts (in the second game) because the rink is smaller here and Lukko pressured us well. During the game we got the hang of it and found a way to win.”

After every Lukko goal you pressured very hard and scored the equalizer shortly after. Did your coach gave you instructions about that?

“Yes, a little bit. In any case, we can’t be satisfied with tonight’s game. We have played well in the SHL and this game wasn’t good. It’s hard when you play against teams from different countries and they have different styles.” 

Lukko strives to play same kind of hockey as most of the teams in the SHL. Did you recognize any similarities?

“Lukko played this game better than they played on our home ice. It’s a trend nowadays. In Sweden, every team play fast and north-south hockey. On the basis of my CHL experience, Finnish teams play more careful hockey and try to keep possession of the puck more.”

HV71 have started well in the SHL. Does that momentum help you in the CHL?

“Of course. We've won quite a few games in a row. We have mostly the same team as last year and have added a couple coaches to the staff. We've kept doing our own thing and it works.”

NOTE: The team had won six games in a row following the return game in Rauma – four in the SHL and two in the CHL. That ended with a 5-3 loss to Orebo Hockey in the SHL on Thursday.

Swedish and Finnish clubs have dominated the CHL the last two seasons. Can you give any reason for that?

“I don’t know. I would say that the SHL is best league in Europe after the KHL, with the Finnish league after them. Nordic hockey is top class.” 

Speaking of the KHL, you played there and have also lived many years in Jonkoping. Have you given any thought about coming back to Finland eventually? 

“Never say never. But I live in Sweden, I have Swedish wife and Finnish-Swedish kids – or Swedish-Finnish kids, however you want to put it. I've settled down in Jonkoping. I've lived seven or eight years there and I have a life in Sweden.”

So you haven’t ruled out finishing your career in Sweden?

“Absolutely not. It’s too early to say, though. Let’s try to get the knee back in good shape and we’ll see how it goes.”