Youthful Ilves U20 head to Hämeenlinna to defend silver

Ilves says a renewed, younger Ilves U20 squad opens the 2026–2027 U20 SM season on Friday by travelling to Hämeenlinna to face HPK.

The club hopes the injection of youth can help defend last season’s runners-up finish after a near-decade slump that followed their 2016 junior title. Several new faces arrive from other Finnish clubs and abroad, including Verneri Pesu, Otto-Emil Lahtinen, Joona Törmäkangas and Canadian-French recruit Maurice Zwikel. A 15-year-old prospect, Juho Nyberg, has already impressed in pre-season games. Captain Niklas Savolainen returns to lead the group.

Coaching changes have been modest. Sakari Salmela steps up as head coach, Niko “Bono” Peltola retains special responsibility for the power play, and Markus “Hodo” Kankaanperä joins to oversee the penalty kill. Roope Antila remains as goalie coach and team manager.

The club had earlier announced its junior coaching appointments for 2026–27 in May and unveiled wider 2026–27 plans at a late‑May season launch that included pre-season friendlies and a Spengler Cup return. Staff stress development over stagnation, noting young players will move on to Liiga, North America or other opportunities.

Ilves open away on Friday at 18:30, and their home opener at Hakametsä is on Wednesday 9 September against Ässät. All matches will be available via leijonat.tv.