Tarmo Reunanen, aged 27, the captain of Turun Palloseura (TPS) in Finland, has announced his departure to join HC Ajoie, a team in the Swiss league, for the remainder of the season. The move comes after an internal team incident that led to his benching, following a powerful tackle on teammate Aatos Koivu that resulted in injury. This incident has severely affected Reunanen’s position within his team.

Though Reunanen had a contract with TPS for another season that included an option for an international move, he hasn't played since February 7, indicating that this benching was not related to any physical injury but rather a disciplinary issue. The situation seems to have compounded existing tensions within the team, leading to a roadblock in his performance and participation in recent games.

Prior to being benched, Reunanen had played 45 matches for TPS, showcasing a manageable performance tally of 6 goals and 18 assists. His departure signals not only a personal change for Reunanen but may also impact team dynamics as TPS navigates the ramifications of both an injured player and the departure of a captain, raising questions about team morale and future leadership roles.