Helsingin Jääkiekkoklubi

History

The Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi ice hockey side moved up to the SM-sarja for the 1970–1971 season after a stint in the Suomensarja. Eager to contend for the title, HJK spent heavily to bring in stars like Jorma Vehmanen and Matti Keinonen. The push for players in the capital was intense, and the club’s spending was considerable. Despite these moves, HJK placed fifth and suffered major financial losses. The following season, the club again spent big, finishing second. Even with higher ticket sales, the deficit remained large. Meanwhile, HJK’s football team was struggling and nearly relegated, leaving the club unable to fund the hockey squad. After the 1971–1972 season, HJK admitted it could no longer support the team. That spring, HJK, Jokerit, and Karhu-Kissat agreed to merge, but Jokerit backed out three weeks later. With debts nearing half a million Finnish marks, HJK cut hockey. New talks with only Karhu-Kissat led to a joint umbrella organization in May 1972. HJK’s hockey arm became the Helsingin Jääkiekkoklubi. The combined team finished fifth in 1972–1973, then HJK played alone and was relegated the next season.