Finland’s world hockey champions return to army service days after gold medal win

Three Finnish players who won the men’s ice hockey world championship on Monday reported for mandatory military service in Helsinki on Wednesday, trading their gold medal celebrations for army uniforms.

Defenceman Urho Vaakanainen, 27, and forwards Janne Kuokkanen, 28, and Waltteri Merelä, 27, arrived at the Guard Jaeger Regiment in Santahamina at 08:00, just two days after Finland’s 1–0 overtime victory against Switzerland secured the country’s fifth world title.

“There was non-stop celebrating until we got here,” Merelä told public broadcaster Yle. “We were ready for duty this morning.”

Kuokkanen called the post-victory festivities “unforgettable,” while Vaakanainen stressed the significance of the win for the entire team.

The trio serve in the Finnish Defence Forces’ sports school, a unit that allows elite athletes to train alongside their military obligations. After a seven-week training assignment for the championship, they now resume standard conscript duties—catching up with fellow recruits, collecting gear, and preparing their barracks.

Kuokkanen and Merelä began their service in April but were immediately assigned to the national team. Vaakanainen, who started earlier, is completing his in two phases.

“It’s a good change of pace,” Merelä said. “In hockey, you’re self-directed, but here you just follow orders—and that works well.”

Kuokkanen added: “We’ll try to learn as much as possible. This will be a memorable summer.”

The sports school, part of the intelligence company, selects top-tier athletes who train 2–8 hours daily during weekdays, with additional evening and weekend sessions counted toward service. This spring’s winter sports intake drew a record 313 applicants, 89 of whom were accepted—most of them hockey players.

“It’s demanding, so motivation isn’t always high,” Vaakanainen admitted. “But the Defence Forces have made it possible to balance service and training.”

All three plan to complete their conscription “with honour,” as Vaakanainen put it.