Line 33:
Founded in 1967, the team has a rich history of success, having secured six league championships as a prominent member of the Finnish [[Liiga|SM-liiga]] in the years [[1972–73 SM-sarja season|1973]], [[1991–92 SM-liiga season|1992]], [[1993–94 SM-liiga season|1994]], [[1995–96 SM-liiga season|1996]], [[1996–97 SM-liiga season|1997]], and [[2001–02 SM-liiga season|2002]]. Additionally, Jokerit has three European championships to its name, having triumphed in the [[IIHF European Cup]] in [[1994 IIHF European Cup|1994]] and [[1995 IIHF European Cup|1995]], as well as the IIHF Continental Cup in [[2002–03 IIHF Continental Cup|2003]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date= |title=Jokerit Achievements |url=https://www.jokerit.com/en/node/22250/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324161134/https://www.jokerit.com/en/node/22250/ |archive-date=24 Mar 2023 |access-date= |website=Jokerit Hockey Club}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Jokereiden Tarina |url=https://www.helsinginjokerit.com/Jokereiden+Tarina |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=www.helsinginjokerit.com |language=fi}}</ref>
FromStarting in the [[2014–15 KHL season|2014–15 season]] onwards, Jokerit became part of the Bobrov Division of the [[Kontinental Hockey League]] (KHL) Western Conference, marking [[Finland]] as the first [[Nordic countries|Nordic country]] to have a team competing in this international league.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-06-28 |title=Harkimo vie Jokerit KHL:ään ensi vuonna |url=http://www.hs.fi/urheilu/Liikemies+vahvistaa+HSlle+Jokerit+KHL%C3%A4%C3%A4n+ensi+vuonna/a1372388176156 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701234204/http://www.hs.fi/urheilu/Liikemies+vahvistaa+HSlle+Jokerit+KHL%C3%A4%C3%A4n+ensi+vuonna/a1372388176156 |archive-date=2013-07-01 |access-date=2023-03-01 }}</ref> However, due to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] in February 2022, Jokerit made the decision to withdraw from the [[2021–22 KHL season|2022 KHL playoffs]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mountjoy |first=Matthew |date=2022-02-24 |title=Finnish Team Jokerit Helsinki Quits Russian Based KHL Over Ukrainian Invasion |url=https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2022/02/24/jokerit-helsinki-quits-khl/ |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=Last Word On Hockey |language=en-US}}</ref> This move was followed by the termination of several team sponsor and supplier contracts, including the [[Helsinki Halli|home arena]]'s name rights holder [[Hartwall]], as a response to the invasion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-24 |title=Hartwall Arena on jäämässä historiaan – IS: Juomayhtiö haluaa nimensä pois hallista, taustalla Venäjän sotatoimet Ukrainassa |url=https://www.helsinginuutiset.fi/paikalliset/4492203 |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=Helsingin Uutiset |language=fi}}</ref> As a result, on 5 April 2022, Jokerit officially announced their decision to withdraw from the league entirely.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jokerit, Riga won't return to KHL for 2022-23 season |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/jokerit-riga-wont-return-to-khl-for-2022-23-season/ |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref>
However, due to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] in February 2022, Jokerit made the decision to withdraw from the [[2021–22 KHL season|2022 KHL playoffs]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mountjoy |first=Matthew |date=2022-02-24 |title=Finnish Team Jokerit Helsinki Quits Russian Based KHL Over Ukrainian Invasion |url=https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2022/02/24/jokerit-helsinki-quits-khl/ |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=Last Word On Hockey |language=en-US}}</ref> This move was followed by the termination of several team sponsor and supplier contracts, including the [[Helsinki Halli|home arena]]'s name rights holder [[Hartwall]], as a response to the invasion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-24 |title=Hartwall Arena on jäämässä historiaan – IS: Juomayhtiö haluaa nimensä pois hallista, taustalla Venäjän sotatoimet Ukrainassa |url=https://www.helsinginuutiset.fi/paikalliset/4492203 |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=Helsingin Uutiset |language=fi}}</ref> As a result, on 5 April 2022, Jokerit officially announced their decision to withdraw from the league entirely.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jokerit, Riga won't return to KHL for 2022-23 season |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/jokerit-riga-wont-return-to-khl-for-2022-23-season/ |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref>
Jokerit intended to return to Finland and expressed their intentions to join the [[Liiga]]. However, before they could submit the formal application, Liiga announced that they would not be accepting any new applications for at least the next two seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Liigalta kova veto: Jokerit ei pääse SM-liigaan ensi kaudeksi! |url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/jaakiekko/a/4e0e601b-8d47-45b5-b5cd-62ac557e30be |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=www.iltalehti.fi |language=fi}}</ref> Nevertheless, Jokerit remained determined to return to ice hockey in Finland.
|
Article Images