Ice Hockey since Childhood – Aiming to Become Professional

Iiro Hakkarainen was born in Helsinki, but he moved to Espoo before starting school. Iiro began playing ice hockey at the age of four, meaning that his career already spans 14 years. He feels that his particular strengths as a player are his high work ethics. As some of the highlights in his athletic career so far, he mentions being selected for the Pohjola camp and receiving the Fairplay award while there.

Choosing a sports-centred general upper secondary school was self-evident to Iiro. He says that he made this decision because his goals are high when it comes to ice hockey. Iiro values the fact that Leppävaara School is very flexible, making it possible for him to train and play. However, he says that this flexibility is afforded on the condition that the students do their homework and make progress in their overall studies.

Described as cheery, active and ambitious, Iiro trains three times a week in the mornings and six times a week in the evenings. Whenever his days include training both in the morning and evening, the days can be 12 hours long. After his morning training, he goes to school, and from there he continues to his evening training, either directly or via home. Iiro says that combining his studies and sports is going well, thanks to the routines that have formed over time, but during exam weeks he must carefully schedule training, preparing for the exams and fulfilling the rest of his school obligations.

Each period, the athlete students receive one study credit for sports, which makes five study credits per year and 15 for the entire three-year curriculum. According to Iiro, this allows the students to focus more on courses that interest them and promote their personal goals. Leppävaara General Upper Secondary School also provides special athlete training, intended for the athlete students. For example, last academic year’s training discussed the importance of rest and gave tips on how to sleep better.

When asked what the best part of studying in a sports-centred school is, Iiro says: ‘Well, maybe that it makes sports so easy. I can attend my training without any problems and the school is relatively close to where I train. And, of course, that flexibility.’

Iiro also has career plans outside of ice hockey. He has thought about working as a sports psychologist or something along those lines, because he enjoys studying psychology and finds it fascinating. He also feels that having a background in sports would benefit him as a sports psychologist. However, ice hockey and his goal of becoming a professional player come first. 

Text edited by Riikka Perälahti.