Pitsiturnaus adds women to two-day season opener

Finland’s traditional ice hockey season-opening Pitsiturnaus is being held over two days for the first time, with the women’s tournament taking place in Rauma on Thursday, Yle reports.

The women’s event is intended to become a regular part of the tournament. Rauman Lukko chief executive Rafael Eerola said the idea had been under consideration for a long time.

Eerola said he contacted Aurora League director Henni Laaksonen after watching the women’s season-opening tournament last autumn. He asked whether the teams held pre-season tournaments and whether the Aurora League would be interested in joining the season-opening event.

“Henni got excited about the idea, and that is how this started. It is great that we are now experiencing the first two-day Pitsiturnaus,” Eerola said.

He said the organisers would see how the tournament was received and how many spectators attended.

Lukko’s women’s team plays in the Mestis league and is aiming for promotion to the Aurora League, the women’s top division.

Joining Lukko in the women’s Pitsiturnaus are Kiekko-Espoo, HPK, HIFK, Ilves and TPS, which made up the Aurora League’s leading teams last season. Admission is free.

The men’s Pitsiturnaus will be held for the 33rd time on Friday.