Jari Kaarela – a new goalie coach of Team Belarus

Jari Kaarela – a new goalie coach of Team Belarus. In the past the Finnish specialist worked with goalies of “SKA”, Petersburg (KHL). He also worked with KHL clubs and SM-league in Finland. Mr Kaarela also worked with Kevin Lalande in CSKA.

In 1997/1998 he worked with U20 and national Team Finland and also took a bronze in Olympic Games in Nagano in 1998. With the help of Jari Kaarela Team Finland won silver in 1998 World Championship. And in 2004 he took silver of the World Cup. 

The media office of Belarusian Ice Hockey Asosiation had a talk with a new specialist.

- When did you receive a proposal from Belarusian Ice Hockey Association? Did you think over for a long time?

It was about month ago. I was on vacation in Slovenia visitng my friend. We had a good conversation with Yaraslau. I’ve thought over it for a few days and it didn’t take me a long time to decide that this is the thing what I want to do. 

- Just a week ago you assisted Andrei Mezin in a goalie camp. There were a lot of young goalies. What can you say about the level of Belarusian goalkeepers?

We put the goalies into two groups: the older boys and the younger ones. The older are the professional goalies. The know what to do on ice out of ice. But in a younger group the boys have no idea of what you have to do to become a professional goalie. What I want them to do – It’s not to be in a great shape, but also understand and see what’s going on in the game and start to use their head, not only mussels. It was hard, but I understand the level right now. We have a lot of things to do. I talked to the coaches during the camp. They understand the system and not it’s a lot easier, because we talk now with the same words. It’s a lot easier to start helping the kids. 

- What skills should be  developed to bring up the reserve for national team? 

When we are in a good physical conditions it gives us a benefit to practice more. But if we are in a bad conditions it means that you can only practice so long. When you get tired that’s not work anymore, because you start doing wrong things. It becomes more quantity, not quality. And what I want for them is only quality, but not quantity. So, we have to go step by step, start building the base. Specially with young boys we have to bring them in a better fit, in a better conditions. 

- Andrei Mezin will assist you in national team.  Does it mean that you will share your functions? How do you plan your team work with Andrei?

I don’t want to separate us on Andrei Mezin and Jari Kaarela. We are – the one team and will work together.

- Did you manage to get acquainted with the  U16, U17, U18 and U20 National Teams Training Center? 

Yes and it’s perfect! That’s all you need. I hope that goalies understand it. This Center should build up the unique system. I’m sure that it helps Belarusian hockey players to become professionals.

- For sure, you’ve got acquainted with the team Belarus goalies. Final Olympic Qualification is coming soon. It’s a serious challenge for Team Belarus, where the result of the tournament will depend on a good job of goalies. So, you’ve got the experience of Olympic Games. In 1998 you were one, of those, with the help of whom, Team Finland won the bronze. Can you tell me about the plans of preparation for the Olympic Qualification? 

First of all I want to meet with the goalies. I’ve already seen two of them. I’m waiting Kevin Lalande to talk to the boys. Then I want to talk to head coach, Dave Lewis. And then I have to put my peaces in the puzzle. The most important is – the players support the goalie, and the goalie supports the players. We have to connect goalies and the team. I think, that’s the one way to achieve the result.

- Thank you very much and good luck!

- Thank you.

Press office

Belarusian Ice Hockey Assosiation