News
15.8.2001
IFK signed Andrej Podkonický
IFK signed a one-year-contract with a 23-years old Slovakian forward Andrej Podkonicky. He has played in North American hockey leagues since 1996. In 96 he joined the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League in which he played two seasons. During those seasons he played 135 games scoring 55 goals and assisting 90 goals and taking 208 minutes of penalties. After that he played with the Worchester Ice Cats an affiliate club of the St.Louis Blues who drafted Podkonicky in 1996. He played there untill december of 2000 when he was traded to Florida Panthers. In Ice Cats he played 154 games scoring 37 goals and 89 assists (135 PIM). After the trade to Florida Panters he was immediately sent to Louisville. There he played 41 games (6+10=16 31 PIM). He also played six games in the NHL scoring one goal (from the rebound of Pavel Bure).
Andrej Podkonický
9.5.1978 Zvolen, Czech Rep.
Height 6.02 / Weight 207
Shoots: Left
Selected by St.Louis Blues Round 8 # 196. overall in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
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1996-97 Portland Winter Hawks WHL 71 25 46 71 127 6 1 1 2 8
1997-98 Portland Winter Hawks WHL 64 30 44 74 81 16 4 12 16 20
1998-99 Worcester IceCats AHL 61 19 24 43 52 4 0 0 0 4
1999-00 Worcester IceCats AHL 77 16 25 41 68 9 2 5 7 6
2000-01 Worcester IceCats AHL 16 2 3 5 15 -- -- -- -- --
2000-01 Louisville Panthers AHL 41 6 10 16 31 -- -- -- -- --
2000-01 Florida Panthers NHL 6 1 0 1 2 -- -- -- -- --
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Lähde: www.hockeydb.com
July
Transactions
Czech forward Jaroslav Bednar was signed for one year by the Kings. 25 years old powerforward Hannes Hyvönen was signed by the San Jose Sharks. NY Rangers draftpick Marek Zidlicky didin't sign with the Rangers and plays for IFK next season. IFK signed forward Kimmo Salminen and Swedish defender Jonas Junkka and traded forward Mika Nieminen to Ilves Tampere of the Finnish Elite League. IFK also aquired a finnish forward Niko Halttunen on a try-out from Swedish team Björklöven Umeå.
28.6.2001
IFK signed to defenders
IFK signed 26 years old Slovakian Ján Kobezda and 24-years old Czech Robert Kántor. Both contracts are two years.
24.6.2001
Bednar and Zidlicky drafted
IFK's Czech-players forward Jaroslav Bednar and defender Marek Zidlicky were drafted. Bednar was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings on the 2nd round (51st overall). Marek Zidlickyn was drafted by the New York Rangers on the 6th round (176th overall).
Also two ex-juniors drafted
1983-born forward Tuomo Ruutu, a brother of Canucks' Jarkko Ruutu was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks on the 1st round (9th overall).1982-born Ben Eaves son of ex-IFK coach (1996-97) Mike Eaves's was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins on the 4th round (131st overall). Last season Ruutu played for Jokerit Helsinki of the Finnish Elite League. Eaves played for Boston College (NCAA).
9.5.2001
Jan Caloun has left the team!
Jan Caloun's contract has been cancelled today. Caloun wasn't satisfied and asked for a cancellation which the team agreed. He would have had two years left of his contract. Later he signed with Espoo Blues of Finnish Elite League.
Thanks for everything, Honza! Take care!
17.4.2001
A new headcoach and some players
IFK has signed a new headcoach. New headcoach for two years will be 43 years old Heikki Mälkiä who recieved a bronzemedal with Ilves Tampere last season. He has coached different Finnish teams now for ten years. He was also a candidate for two years ago when IFK searched for a new headcoach.
New forwards will be 29 years old Latvian Aigars Cipruss (176 cm/78 kg) and 26 years old Finn Jonni Vauhkonen (189 cm/94 kg). Vauhkonen has been selected by the Chicago Blackhawks on the fifth round (128 overall) in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.
IFK signed also new juniors. Forwards Carlo Grünn (30.4.81 179 cm/81 kg), Ville Viitaluoma (16.2.1981 184 cm/80 kg), Ilkka Pikkarainen (19.4.1981 188 cm/86 kg), Matias Loppi (22.03.1980 185 cm/85 kg), Kim Hirschovits (9.5.1982 186 cm/ 88 kg) and defender Mikko Ilkka (11.05.80 187 cm/89 kg) . Also forward Kimmo Kuhta 25, stays in the team for next season.
After Ari Ahonen headed to New Jersey IFK had to find replacements for him. To replace Ahonen's spot IFK signed two young goalies. 22 years old Mikko Strömberg (185cm/78kg) and 24 years old Juuso Riksman (186 cm/80 kg). Both goalies have represented IFK in juniors. Riksman was chosen for the best goalie of Mestis which is the second highest level in Finland.
IFK's contracts 17.4.2001
Goalies
Sakari Lindfors
Mikko Strömberg
Juuso Riksman
Defenders
Marek Zidlicky 1+1
Teemu Kolehmainen
Tuomas Eskelinen
Antti-Pekka Lamberg
Martin Stepanek
Mikko Kurvinen 2
Hannes Hyvönen
Pauli Levokari
Mikko Ilkka
Forwards
Kimmo Kuhta
Jan Caloun 2
Toni Häppölä
Mika Kortelainen 1+1
Pasi Nielikäinen
Mika Nieminen
Toni Mäkiaho 2
Jaroslav Bednar
Aigars Cipruss 2
Jonni Vauhkonen
Carlo Grünn
Ville Viitaluoma
Ilkka Pikkarainen
Matias Loppi
Kim Hirschovits
Coachies
Heikki Mälkiä 2
Timo Blomqvist
Jari Kaarela
Jorma Jaatinen (Athletic Trainer)
(Contracts are one-year contracts if not mentioned.)
6.4.2001
New contracts
IFK has done new contracts. Mika Kortelainen and Toni Mäkiaho continue playing with IFK. Mäkiahon's contract is a two-year contract. Kortelaisen has a 1+1-year contract . IFK has signed one player ourside the organisation. 23 years old defender Pauli Levokari joins the team. Levokari is 199 cm tall and weighs 108 kilos. He comes from the team Jokerit's organisation.
IFK has also signed three own juniors. Two defenders Antti-Pekka Lamberg and Teemu Kolehmainen and forward Toni Häppölä (in the picture above). 18-years old Lamberg is 186 cm tall and weighs 95 kg. Last season he played 13 games in the men's team, and assisted one goal. He also took two penalties. He's +/- was -9. In the playoffs played three games but didn't do any points or penalties. +/- was also 0. Kolehmainen is 181 cm tall and weighs 78 kilos. he played four games, in wich he took one penalty. +/- was -3. In the playoffs he played one game and took one penalty. 20 years old forward Toni Häppölä played tow regular season games and two playoff games but didn't gain any points, penalties or +/-. He is 188 cm tall and weighs 88 kg. IFK juniors were second last season.
IFK's contracts 6.4.2001
Goalies
Sakari Lindfors
Defenders
Marek Zidlicky 1+1
Teemu Kolehmainen
Tuomas Eskelinen
Antti-Pekka Lamberg
Martin Stepanek
Mikko Kurvinen 2
Hannes Hyvönen
Pauli Levokari
Forwards
Jan Caloun 2
Toni Häppölä
Mika Kortelainen 1+1 ?
Pasi Nielikäinen
Mika Nieminen
Toni Mäkiaho 2
Jaroslav Bednar
Coaches
Timo Blomqvist
Jari Kaarela
(Contracts are one-year contracts if not mentioned.)
2.4.2001
New Jersey Devils sign goalie Ari Ahonen
Devils have signed their first round (27. overall) draftpick in 1999 entrydraft Ari Ahonen 20, for three years. Ahonen played two seasons for IFK. In the last season's regular season he played 35 games and had save pct of 91.95. His GAA was 2,77. In the playoffs he played five games with pct of 96.05 and GAA was 1,37.
15.3.2001
Players laid off
IFK has laid of two forwards. Czech winger Jan Caloun and center Aki Uusikartano has been laid of for two weeks. Both players get paid but aren't allowed to participate the team actions. IFK headcoach Pentti Matikainen said Uusikartano wants to cancel his contract, which would end after next season, but Uusikartano himself said he's been fired. Anyway he won't be seen in the IFK-jersey again.
4.3.2001
Matikainen behind the bench
IFK's manager Pentti Matikainen starts to coach the team. He will be assisted by Timo Blomqvist and Jari Kaarela, who both have signed a contract also for next season. IFK has only three points from last ten games.
18.2.2001
Goalie Ari Ahonen injured
IFK goalie Ari Ahone has been injured during a pre-game warm up of tonight's rivalry against Jokerit. The puck hit his larynx and caused an injury. IFK's doctor Petri Helenius said the injury may not be a severe injury but Ahonen still had to stay overnight in the hospital. Ahonen's backup goalie Sakari Lindfors played an excellent game. He made 40 saves when IFK won 6-1.
Update
22.2.2001
Ahonen has been released from hospital on tuesday and will be back on track next week.
2.2.2001
Coach Lehkonen fired!
IFK has today fired their headcoach Ismo Lehkonen. Lehkonen was IFK's headcoach for almost two seasons. The team hasn't succeed the way it should have. Of last six games IFK has lost four. IFK is in a three-game losing streak at the moment. A new headcoach will be assistant coach Timo Blomqvist. He will coach with goaliecoach former Colorado Rockies goalie Jari Kaarela.
24.1.2001
Jari Kauppila to Sweden
IFK-forward Jari Kauppila 26, has been traded to Sweden. His new club will be Luleå Hockey. Kauppila wasn't satisfied with his role in IFK and applied for a trade. The trade-deadline is in the end of january. Kauppila scored 8+9=17 in 38 games. He took 50 minutes penalties and had -7, which is the worst in the whole team. Kauppila signed a two-year contract with IFK last summer.
IFK announced that they are not going to replace him with another forward but they might acquire a young domestic defender.
Luleå's website (In Swedish)
22.1.2001
Marek Zidlicky suspended
IFK's Czech defender Marek Zidlicky 23, has been suspended for one game. He fought against Tomi Hirvonen of JYP Jyväskylä (on the left) on saturday. Hirvonen who recieved an instigator was also suspended for one game. Zidlicky rests tomorrow when IFK plays at home against Ilves.
The fight in Real Media format brought to you by Helsingin IFK-Forum website.
www.real.com
5.1.2001
Silver medals in JWC
Team Finland have won silver medals in Junior Worldchampioships in Moscow, Russia. Finland lost the final against Czech Republic 2-1. IFK-players goalie Ari Ahonen (1st round 27 overall by New Jersey Devils in 1999 Entry Draft) and forward Tony Salmelainen, who is currently loaned to Ilves. Ahonen's save pct in six games was 93,28 and GAA 1,34. He played a shutout against Belarus. He was selected to All Star line up which was chosen by the media. He had third best pct after Czech Republic's Tomas Duba and Canada's Maxim Ouellet.
Forward Tony Salmelainen scored 3+2=5 in seven games. He took three minor penalties and had +4.
Finland tied against Canada and lost against Czech Republic. Other games they won.
20.12.2000
Salmelainen has been loaned to Ilves
Second round (41st overall) draftpick on 1999 Entry Draft by Edmonton Oilers winger Tony Salmelainen 19, has been loaned to Ilves Tampere for the rest of the season.
Also another young player Tampa-Bay Lightning's 8th round (216 overall) draftpick on 1999 Entry Draft Erkki Rajamäki has been loaned to Newcastle Jesters (England) for one month. The Jesters have been very pleased with his skills.
Mike O'Connor has declared himself very pleased with the form of Erkki Rajamaki after a very good debut against Nottingham. Mike said that Erkki was "a player we wouldn't mind keeping for the rest of the season".
Quote from www.newcastlejesters.com
4.12.2000
Headcoach Lehkonen and defender Kautonen suspended
IFK headcoach Ismo Lehkonen has been suspended for ten games for provoking defender Veli-Pekka Kautonen to attack Jyp-forward Jussi Pesonen who dangerously checked IFK-defender Martin Stepanek (Cze) from behind. Pesonen didn't get any penalty. Kautonen was suspended for five games.
28.11.2000
Caloun back - Giroux to Stockholm
Former Bluejackets winger Jan Caloun has come back to IFK. Caloun was healthy scratch in eleven games out of 21. In ten games he assisted three goals, took one penalty and and +/- was -8.
Canadian defender Ray Giroux has been traded to AIK Stockholm, Sweden. In Finnish Elite League is allowed to have five foreign players and IFK had to get rid of one when Caloun came back.
23.11.2000
Sakari Lindfors injured
IFK-goalie Sakari Lindfors injured last tuesday in a rivalry against Jokerit. Jokerit-winger Jukka Hentunen tackled him out. Lindfors recieved a groin injury, which keeps him out from four to six weeks.
12.10.2000
Injuries
IFK suffers form several injuries. Forward Toni Mäkiaho has a knee injury, which keeps him away from five to eight weeks. Czech defender Patrik Hucko has a groin injury. His away for one month. Forward Aki Uusikartano has injured his back and in away for one week. Another Czech D-man Marek Zidlicky has fever and he doesn't play at least tonight against HPK in Hämeenlinna.
Source www.koff.net
15.9.2000
The league suspended Toni Mäkiaho
Toni Mäkiaho beating Petri Varis of Jokerit Helsinki
IFK-forward Toni Mäkiaho 25, got suspended for one game for assaulting Petri Varis of Jokerit in the first game of the season in the Finnish hockey league. The suspension takes place on saturday in a roadgame against Tappara from Tampere.
