Pentti Matikainen, the long-time coach of numerous clubs across Finland’s Liiga, as well as a multi-event medalist in leading the Finnish national team, passed away from cancer at the age of 74 in Helsinki.

After a decade as a player across many divisions of the Liiga, Matikainen made his coaching deput with SaiPa the year after his retirement, spending two seasons with the Sputniks before moving to Oulu in 1983, spending four seasons with Kärpät and winning the Liiga Silver medal in 1987. He would leave for HIFK in 1987, spending three seasons with the Reds and winning Coach of the Year honours in 1988, before departing in 1990 to focus on the Leijonat full-time. Matikainen would return to club coaching with HPK in 1993, returning to HIFK i 2000 and becoming General Manager in 2001, departing after eight seasons and serving as Chairman of both Kiekko-Pojat and Pelicans, retiring in 2020.

Starting with Finland’ B-squad in 1982, Matikainen became head coach of the Junior club at the 1984 World Juniors, capturing Silver, returning the following year before shifting to the senior club at the 1985 World Championship. Matikainen would leave club coaching to become full-time coach of the Leijonat in time for the 1988 Calgary Olympics, helping Finland to a surprising Silver medal, their first Olympic medal in history. Matikainen would coach at another five World Championships, the 1990 Goodwill Games, 1991 Canada Cup and 1992 Albertville (Méribel) Olympics, capturing third place at the 1991 Canada Cup and another Silver at the 1992 Worlds. Matikainen was inducted to the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003, a decade after leaving the national team.

Our condolences go out to the Matikainen family, as well as the extended hockey community across Finland on the loss of this national hockey leader.

Photo Credit: Helsingin Sanomat – IIHF – HHOF – IOC