Sakari Manninen returns to Leijon after a break of many years

Tampere

Thursday the EHT tournament in Tampere, which is about to start, will attract the most Finnish attention Jesse to Puljujärvibut alongside him in Leijon we see at least an equally interesting character.

Sakari Manninen33, will return to the national team jersey on Thursday after a break of two and a half years.

“Now it was a good feeling to come. My body is fine and healthy,” Manninen smiled at Tuesday’s media conference.

Although the center maestro, who is known as a modest person, has never actually basked in the biggest spotlight, he can with good reason be considered the most significant player in the recent history of the Lions.

He sparkled as Finland’s number one center in both the 2019 and 2022 World Cup gold teams and the 2022 Golden Olympics as well.

In the 2022 home games, he scored the goal that decided the World Cup gold in overtime.

Spring However, Mann has not been seen in the national team since the 2023 World Championships in Tampere. Not even on the Euro Hockey Tour.

“I have wanted to contribute to the club team. However, that is the main job. For example, we have played a lot in the CHL in addition to our own league.”

“I have also played big minutes. If there has been a small bump, I have not wanted to go with a small injury to play for the national team,” says Manninen.

In the spring and winter of 2024, Mannen and his spouse also had their first child, which has kept the father busy outside of gaming.

Last spring, Geneva’s season in the Swiss league, led by Manninen, ended already at the turn of February-March, i.e. more than two months before the start of the World Cup.

“At that time, going to the World Championships didn’t really fit into the pattern, when it would have been such a long time in between.”

What about next spring, when the games will be played in Switzerland?

“Of course there are a lot of variables, but at the moment it feels good. However, there is still a lot of time. How will the season go and how long will the games last,” Manninen reflects.

Manny is now playing in Geneva for his third season. His current contract also covers next season.

About last season’s teammates of the Oulu center Sami Vatanen and Teemu Hartikainen played in their home SM league this fall.

Will it be Manninen’s turn after next season?

“I’m not ruling anything out. I don’t know. Now we’ve liked being in Switzerland, and we don’t have to think about it yet,” acknowledges Manninen.

The last time Manninen played in the SM league was the current national team coach in the 2016–17 season Antti Pennanen coached at HPK.