Finnish head coach Pasi Mustonen leaving Beijing
A serious family health concerns arose for the head coach.
Naisleijonat head coach Pasi Mustonen has left Beijing, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association announced Friday.
Mustonen cited serious family health concerns as the reason for his departure, although he left the door open for assisting from home if his family situation allows it. During his tenure as head coach he led the team to one Olympic bronze medal, three World Championship bronze medals, and one historic World Championship silver.
Naisten päävalmentaja Pasi Mustonen Suomeen perhesyistä – Juuso Toivola ottaa päävalmentajavastuun Naisleijonista: https://t.co/C4DvQ70IL6#Naisleijonat #Leijonat #OlympicTeamFi #PohjoisenTähdet #Peking2022 #IIHFhockey pic.twitter.com/ghqx878oL1
— Leijonat (@leijonat) February 4, 2022
Meanwhile, assistant coach Juuso Toivola will serve as head coach for the remainder of the 2022 Olympics.
“We’ve been through the situation with the team,” Toivola told leijonat.com. “We fully understand Pasi’s reasons for going home and wish Pasi and his family all the best.”
Toivola was announced as Mustonen’s successor back in June; the change behind the bench in Beijing pushes his appointment up ahead of schedule.
Finland lost their opening game 5-2 against the United States. They’ll take on Canada tonight, Feb. 4 at 11:10 p.m. EST.
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