Legendary Finnish hockey player Teemu Selanne wants to take over Helsinki’s gym and entertainment venue, but he can’t buy it from the owners, who are two Russian oligarchs under sanctions from the European Union and the United States.

Selanne has brought together a group of Finnish investors and plans to buy back the Hartwall Arena, which was built for the 1997 World Cup, as soon as possible. The first event at this venue was the Beach Boys party.

“Huvfudstadbladid,” the hockey player told Daily.

“It is time to open your eyes and end these games with the Russians once and for all,” he added.

The hall uses the Jokerit team, which withdrew due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from the KHL League, in which it played from the 2014/2015 season, and will play in the Finnish League from next season.

The facility was to be one of two world hockey arenas that will take place May 13-29 in Helsinki and Tampere. Previously, it was the World Cup arena in 1997, 2003, 2012 and 2013. In February, the main sponsor, Hartwall Brewery, withdrew, and the facility’s name is now Helsinki Areena.

The Finnish Ice Hockey Federation has decided that this hall, with a capacity of 13,500 spectators, will not be played in the World Cup matches due to its Russian owners, and will be moved to the second facility in the Finnish capital – Helsingin Gihali with seats for 8,200 spectators. fans.

Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Denmark, Italy and Kazakhstan will play group matches in this room.

Group B Finland, Sweden, USA, Czech Republic, Latvia, Norway and Great Britain will play group matches in Tampere, at the Nokia Arena, which opened in December with a capacity of 13,500 spectators. The final stage will also take place there.

Selanne started his career in Jokerit, from Helsinki. In the NHL, he played with San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, Winnipegs Jets, and Annaheim Ducks.

Today, the 51-year-old Finn has played 1,341 matches in the National Hockey League, scoring 663 goals and scoring 743 assists. He performed with Finland’s representation at six Olympics, winning four medals – silver and three bronze, and two world championships – silver and bronze. He has seven times won the Finnish Hockey Player of the Year award.

Zbigniew Kuczyński (PAP)

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