Vesa Viitakoski Joins Lappeenranta’s SaiPa as Assistant Coach
In an exciting development for local ice hockey enthusiasts, former professional player Vesa Viitakoski, 54, has been appointed as an assistant coach for SaiPa’s upcoming 2026–2027 season.
Hailing from Lappeenranta, Viitakoski began his illustrious playing career at SaiPa and has maintained strong ties to the club. Current head coach Raimo Helminen fondly remembers Viitakoski as a long-time companion from their days at Ilves, acknowledging the bond they forged on and off the ice.
Viitakoski’s playing record is nothing short of impressive. He has skated in 803 regular season games in the Finnish SM league, amassing an impressive tally of 296 goals and 244 assists—540 points in total. Moreover, he showcased his talent in the NHL during the 1990s, participating in 23 games and contributing six points with two goals and four assists.
His coaching resume is equally notable, with past roles as an assistant at Ilves and HPK. For the past three seasons, Viitakoski has lent his expertise as a mentor coach at the Hungarian club, Fehervar Hockey Academy 19, further enriching his skills behind the bench.
Joining Viitakoski in the SaiPa coaching ranks are assistant coach Janne Hietaniemi and goalkeeper coach Tomas Duba. SaiPa’s sports director, Harri Aho, expressed enthusiasm about the complete coaching team, stating, “It’s great that we now have the entire coaching staff assembled for the upcoming season. The hard work in our daily routines continues under Raipe’s leadership.”
Additionally, in a recent update on coaching appointments, Santeri Immonen has been sought after for a role within Helminen’s coaching team, while Lovro Bajc, 39, will take the helm of the U20 team next season. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Elmo Scharin is poised to lead the U18 squad.
As SaiPa gears up for another thrilling season, the presence of Viitakoski promises to invigorate both players and fans alike.