Release from 31.07.2024

Kai Suikkanen before his first season in Cortina: “I have really high expectations”

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The Alps Hockey League kicks off the new season on Saturday, September 21. One of the top favorites for the title will once again be S.G. Cortina Hafro. The Italians have reached the final in the past two seasons, but were beaten in both. Kai Suikkanen was hired as the new head coach this summer. The Finn already won the win2day ICE Hockey League title with Bolzano in 2018. This is already his fourth year in one of his favorite countries, Italy. We spoke to the 65-year-old in detail in an interview.

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Kai, we're delighted to welcome you to the Alps Hockey League. When did Cortina contact you and how did the engagement come about?
Kai Suikkanen: “Cortina contacted me beginning of July. Then we started negotiations. Cortina told me what they want, and I told them my ideas, we saw that we speak the same ‘hockey language’, then things moved kind of fast and we made the decision that I sign a contract with them.”

What expectations do you have for your first season in Cortina?
“I have heard good stories about Cortina’s organization and of course the city of Cortina is beautiful. I have really high expectations about next season. We just have to work hard with the team, and I think we have a really good chance to have a good season.”

Do you feel any pressure here? Cortina reached the final in each of the last two years. I assume the final is the declared goal for the coming season too?
“I know that Cortina has reached the finals two times on the row, but I don’t feel any pressure of that. And there is always some kind of pressure for all coaches. I have coached in five different countries on their best level, so I’m used to pressure.”

What do you already know about the league in general? What will be important for your team to achieve the goals for the season?
“I think I know enough about Alps Hockey League. When I was in Bolzano, Ritten was our farm team and in Dornbirn Bregenzerwald was our farm team and I was watching their games and practices. So, I know what Alps Hockey League is made off. But always when the new coach comes to the team, we have to talk a lot and practice a lot that everybody learns what kind of hockey we want to play. It doesn’t happen suddenly; we have to be patient and practice it day after day, and we will learn it.”

Cortina has already announced some notable new signings. How much influence did you have on the new signings and what do you expect from them?
“⁠When I signed, Cortina had already a lot of local players signed, and we didn’t need much more and I think the team looks good. About imports: we only need one more and together with Cortina management I think we will find a good player who fits to our team.”

When do you start the preparation for the new season and what is the main focus of the preseason?
“Preparation for next season starts in August and we have everybody in Cortina for the 1st September. Then it gives us three weeks’ time with the full team before the season starts.”

You are of course no stranger to Italy. Last season you were head coach of Kaltern. And of course your time at Bolzano is unforgettable. You won the championship in 2018. Is it still your highlight as head coach?
“⁠Big year in Italy for me was that championship year 2018 in Bolzano, even I have done the same thing in Finland couple times as a coach, it’s still one of my best memories as a coach.”

Cortina is now your third stop in Italy. You seem to feel very much at home in this country. What in particular do you like about Italy/northern Italy?
“This is going to be my fourth season in Italy. Why Italy? Because I like Italy/Northern Italy a lot, very beautiful clean area and the weather is great. People in that area are very nice and polite, so I really like to live there.”