Anssi Laine, who recently stepped down as the sports director of KalPa, has been appointed as the director of hockey operations for the French Ice Hockey Federation. His role will encompass overseeing national teams from the U16 level all the way up to the senior men's team. Laine's mission will include revamping the coaching pipeline in France to elevate the nation's ice hockey standards on the international stage.

The appointment comes at a crucial time for French ice hockey, with significant events on the horizon including the 2028 World Championships set to take place in Paris and Lyon. Additionally, Nice is scheduled to host the ice hockey events for the 2030 Winter Olympics, providing a unique opportunity for Laine to implement his strategies and contributions to develop the sport in the country.

Laine's career at KalPa began in the spring of 2020, and under his leadership, the Finnish team achieved unprecedented success by winning their first championship in history last season. This notable achievement likely contributed to Laine's attractiveness as a candidate for the French position, wherein his experience and success can be pivotal in guiding France towards its goals in international ice hockey competitions.