Joensuun Kiekko-Pojat, a team in the Finnish Mestis league, has officially appointed Risto Dufva as their head coach with a 1+1 year contract. Dufva, who has been with the team as a coach since February, will now take on the leadership role, bringing expertise and a strong network for team building. The club's board believes that Dufva's experience will elevate the team to new standards of performance.

Dufva commented on his new role, expressing confidence in the potential of JoKP and noting that the increasing competition in Mestis presents an exciting challenge. His focus will be on establishing clear structures both on and off the ice, which he believes are essential for fostering a successful team environment. This includes bringing discipline and a strong work ethic to the players' routines.

Prior to Dufva's appointment, Juha-Matti Kemppainen served as the head coach, also under a 1+1 year contract. Recently, JoKP's manager and main owner Jaakko Lipponen remarked that players had been enjoying too much off-ice entertainment this season, implying a need for a shift towards more serious commitment to the sport with Dufva's new leadership.