The team was formed in 1972 when the ice hockey departmend of Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi was disestablished, but they are considered as different clubs as HJK does not claim any of the previous championships.

The hockey team of the Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi was promoted to the SM-sarja for the 1970–1971 after season being in the Suomensarja for a few years.

HJK immediately tried to take part in the championship competition and started recruiting new top players such as Jorma Vehmanen and Matti Keinonen.

The competition for players in the metropolitan area was fierce and a considerable amount of money was spent on purchases.

In the spring, three Helsinki clubs, HJK, Jokerit and Karhu-Kissat, agreed on a merger that was announced in March 1972.