1970–71 Porin Ässät season

Lore & Background

For the 1970–71 season, Ässät gained a high-class returnee from Helsinki when Veli-Pekka Ketola returned to Pori after playing one season with Jokerit. Alpo Suhonen also returned to Ässät. Ketola's return sparked huge training enthusiasm among other players, and coach Lasse Heikkilä took the team on a training trip to Moscow before the season started. The trip to the Soviet Union allowed training to begin very early by the standards of the time, as there was no ice in Pori in early autumn. In the regular season, Ässät finished third behind Jokerit and HIFK. In the final series, everything fell into place: Ässät lost only one of ten matches and overtook the Helsinki clubs ahead. The gold medals were secured by a five-point difference over second-place Jokerit. The championship came under the leadership of the forward trio Erkki Väkiparta, Veli-Pekka Ketola, and Tapio Koskinen. Other lines behind the first line also contributed, and the defense featured big names such as Antti Heikkilä and Pekka Rautakallio.

Reader's Guide

The 1970–71 season marked a historic breakthrough for Porin Ässät, as the club captured its first Finnish championship in only its fourth season in the SM-sarja. The return of Veli-Pekka Ketola from Jokerit was a pivotal factor, as he led the league in scoring with 42 points and inspired a strong training culture. Coach Lasse Heikkilä's decision to take the team to Moscow for early training helped the squad prepare effectively despite the lack of local ice. In the final series, Ässät's dominance was clear: they lost just one of ten games and finished five points ahead of Jokerit. The forward trio of Väkiparta, Ketola, and Koskinen drove the offense, while the defense was anchored by Antti Heikkilä and Pekka Rautakallio. Captain Raimo Kilpiö provided leadership, and goaltender Jorma Valtonen played every game, posting a .922 save percentage in the final series. This championship established Ässät as a top contender in Finnish hockey.

Did You Know?

• Veli-Pekka Ketola returned to Ässät after playing one season with Jokerit in Helsinki.
• Ässät took a training trip to Moscow before the season because there was no ice in Pori in early autumn.
• Ässät lost only one of ten matches in the final series.
• Goaltender Jorma Valtonen played every game of the season and had a .922 save percentage in the final series.