Feb 20 • 11:40 UTC 🇫🇮 Finland Iltalehti

Raimo Määttänen has passed away

Former ice hockey coach and player Raimo Määttänen has died at the age of 83.

Raimo Määttänen, a former ice hockey player and coach, has died at the age of 83, with the news confirmed by his son Teemu. Määttänen played as a defenseman from 1959 to 1969 and was part of the Finnish national team during the 1967 World Championships. After retiring from playing, he transitioned to coaching, where he enjoyed significant success, notably leading TPS Turku to the Finnish Championship in 1976, marking a prominent moment in the history of the new SM-liiga.

In addition to his achievements at TPS, Määttänen also served as head coach for Ilves and TuTo during the 1980s. His contributions to Finnish ice hockey were recognized with an annual coaching award named in his honor, which is given to the best Mestis players as voted by their peers. The news of his passing was marked by a moment of silence planned by TPS before an upcoming match to honor his memory and contributions to the sport.

The loss of Määttänen is felt deeply within the Finnish ice hockey community, not only for his accomplishments on the ice but also for his legacy as a mentor and coach who influenced many players throughout his career. The tributes from clubs and fans highlight the impact he had on the game and the sorrow at his passing, emphasizing his status as a respected figure in Finnish sports history.

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