Storhamar Hamar head coach Alexander Smirnov was a well-travelled defenceman during his playing career, and one of his stops in the mid-1990s was TPS Turku. He now looks forward to facing his former club, with which he has great memories and where one of his former teammates is still playing.

by Kristian J. Eng

HAMAR – The Round of 16 match-up with TPS Turku will be a bit special for Storhamar head coach Alexander Smirnov. Between 1992 and 1995 the Russian defenceman played in the white and black of TPS and was a big fan favourite. During this time the won the Liiga twice and claimed the European Cup as well. After his three years in Finland he moved on to Storhamar in the summer of 1995 for his first spell with the club he now coaches. Now Smirnov is looking forward to facing his old club and believes the fans can look forward to two great games.

“Of course it will be a special and nice occasion for me to face TPS,” Smirnov told us. “I recognize a few faces still there from my time in Finland and it will be great to meet a few of them. Of course this is a long time ago now, but there are some great memories coming back with this trip. I also know Storhamar will come to a nice place, a lovely arena and can look forward to a game played in a great atmosphere.” 

Smirnov has fond memories of his time in Turku. “It was a great time, three fantastic years, and I feel very privileged to have played in that jersey and with that logo on my chest. In the early 1990s they were the best team in Europe and I often look back at that time and value it very highly. It was really an incredibly good team!”

It was the legendary Russian coach Vladimir Yurzinov who signed Smirnov to TPS in 1992. He is still full of admiration for his old boss and keeps in touch with the man he describes as a mentor for his coaching career. 

“Yurzinov is one of the best coaches in the world, as well as fantastic person. He gave me a lot when I was a player and we have won and achieved so much with him. I always learned stuff from him and I must say he both helped me decide to become a coach and formed me in that role,” Smirnov said of his old coach. 

“We still have a lot of contact and now and then I seek his advice. I must also mention that he gave many young Finns the chance to take their careers into even bigger leagues. I know Finnish hockey still is thankful towards him to this day. I really hope he will be able to come and watch the game in Turku.”

Even though it has been 20 years since Smirnov last pulled on the white and black jersey, one of his old teammates is still active with the club. His old defence partner Petteri Nummelin will be on the opposite side when the game faces off. That will be another special little quirk about the game according to Smirnov, who is happy for his old pal. 

“I’m very happy for him that his health and his body has allowed him to go on, it is really an accomplishment to be respected,” Smirnov said of the 42-year-old Nummelin. “He is certainly one of the great defencemen in Finnish hockey history. I remember us playing together and him starting his pro career alongside me. He has always been a great player and a great person. I’m not surprised he has achieved what he has.”

Once the games starts memories emotions must go, and we have to ask which of the two clubs means most to Smirnov. “That’s true. During the game there is no room for sentiment, it’s part of the game,” he admits. “Of course Storhamar means most to me. Hamar is my home and they are the club in my heart. But, as I said, I’ll always think highly of TPS and Turku and the time I spent there is something I value very highly. Now, though, I’m looking forward to write new history in this tournament with Storhamar.”

Finally, we asked Smirnov what he expects from his team from this match-up. “We have nothing to lose – TPS are the favourites. We want to play for Norwegian hockey and all our fantastic fans who follow us throughout Europe and give us massive support at home in Hamar. We’ll give it all we've got and see where it takes us. I think they will be two exciting games!”