Following Russia’s invasion Ukraine this week, Jokerit decided not to participate in Kontinental Hockey League playoffs.
The Finland-based team was to face Moscow’s Spartak during the Gagarin cup playoffs. The league announced that it would revise the Western Conference playoff bracket.
Jari Kurri is the chairman of Jokerit. made the decision to suspend the team’s 2021-22 seasonAnd he stated that it was impossible to compete in the KHL playoffs because of “the current global condition”.
Kurri said, “My position regarding the end to the season was very clear on Thursday morning.” “The world is experiencing really difficult times right at the moment. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people affected by the situation. We are hopeful that there will be a peaceful resolution to this situation soon.
Jokerit is a member since 2014-15 and was the second-best Western Conference team this season.
Alexei Morozov (KHL president) said that Jokerit was a vibrant and excellent team with recognizable styles. “It’s extremely unfortunate that the Jokerit’s departure was not due to sporting reasons, it’s due to political reasons.”
Jokerit’s decision to leave Jokerit came amid pressure from its sponsors and fans. Helsinki Jokers fan group “Eteläpääty ry” issued a press releaseOn February 22, the KHL demanded that the team be withdrawn. It stated that “continuing the games will cause irremeasurable damage to the whole club, which may not be repaired again.”
According to Finnish television station MTV via YLEJokerit sponsors have ended their relationships with the team, according to several. Hartwall, their title sponsor, has questioned the team’s commitment and cited “Russian military actions in Ukraine” for the reason.
Jokerit is one of five KHL teams based outside Russia. Dinamo Minsk, Dinamo Riga (Belarus), Barys Nursultan, Kazakhstan, Red Star Kunlun, and Dinamo Riga (Lettonia) are the other KHL teams. Kunlun was based outside Moscow for the COVID pandemic.