Jukka Jalonen

Jukka Pertti Juhani Jalonen (born 2 November 1962 in Riihimäki, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey coach and former player.

[1] Jalonen started his coaching career with SM-Liiga sides, managing Ilves from 1992 to 1995, and Lukko during the 1996–97 season.

His era in Hämeenlinna reached a climax in 2005–06, when he led HPK to win the first Kanada-malja in the franchise history.

He successfully led the Finnish team to a World Junior Championship title on home ice, beating Russia with a score 4–3 (OT) in the final at the Hartwall Arena.

In 2017, Jalonen was re-elected to the Finnish national team as head coach, replacing Lauri Marjamäki after the 2018 World Championship.

In June 2023, after another gold medal at the 2022 IIHF World Championship but a disappointing quarterfinals exit in 2023 he announced that he would be leaving the national team after his contract runs out.

Heikki Paasonen interviewing Jukka Jalonen at 2011 IIHF World Championship gold medal celebrations in Helsinki