The EYOF Vuokatti 2022 ice hockey tournament wrapped up with home country Finland winning the gold medal on 17 December 2022.

“Struggle and commitment were the decisive factors in winning this tournament. Four games in five days is a very tough programme, but the players managed to perform at their best,” said Head Coach of Team Finland Mika Marttila after the victory.

5 teams competed over 5 days in Kajaani, Finland from 13 to 17 December 2022.

The final ranking is:

1. Finland 12 pts
2. Belarus 8 pts
3. Russia 7 pts
4. Czech Republic 3 pts
5. Latvia 0 pts

More information about the statistics of the tournament can be found here.

Yan Shostak (number 29) and Nikolai Tishkevich (number 17) both from Belarus were respectively named best goalkeeper and best forward of the tournament. While Kasper Kulonummi (number 3) from Finland was named best defender.

Florin Misca, Chair of the EOC CoCom for the EYOF Vuokatti 2022, officially closed the tournament thanking the organisers, the local authorities, volunteers and especially the athletes: “To the athletes, we say…you have made us proud. You are worthy role models. You have reminded us again of the spirit of respect, friendship and fair play.”

“Now that the boys’ ice hockey tournament has come to an end, I invite the young European athletes to gather in three months to continue the competitions and celebrations of the 15th winter edition of the European Youth Olympic Festival.

The countdown has now restarted marking today 90 days to go to the main event, which will be held from 20 to 25 March 2022 in Vuokatti, Kajaani and Lahti.

Some 2,000 athletes and officials will descend in Finland this winter, with competitions in nine sports: ice hockey, figure skating, short track, cross country skiing, biathlon, snowboarding, alpine skiing, ski-jumping and Nordic combined.

More info at eyof2022.fi