Hockey & Military Service

Zholtok33 · Post by **Zholtok33** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 12:43 am

We've been having some discussions over here about the nature of required military service where it concerns athletes.

Our specific discussion has revolved around Mikko Koivu and whether or not he actually served his time while still playing pro hockey in Finland for TPS Turku. We have tried to establish when he actually had his service and for how long....the 6 months or the full 12 months.

Some have also contended that his service was not the reason he stayed in Finland but that he wanted to play more hockey for Finland before jumping to the NHL.

Would love to know any of the insight the Finns may have on this issue.

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Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 12:55 am

If he was in the "athlete school" they get either the 6 months basic or the 12 months NCO training. And if you go "on leave" for training or playing elsewhere the military time does not run. So you better ask him to show his military passport if you want to know.

Zholtok33 · Post by **Zholtok33** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 1:00 am

The Hockey News reported in 2003 that his military stint would be done in July 2004, but at 6 (or 12) that would leave me asking if it is possible that he served his time while still playing pro hockey or did he serve during off season time (which is what, 2 months?) spread out over multiple years? Is that even an option?

The "athlete school"? Is that a real deal?

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 1:45 am

He could in principle play in Turku, as that is domestic, with a proper scheduling. "National championships" being one of the good excuses. Then again they do have quite flexible schedule, so people have been known to do it in "increments". As for it "being for real"you go figure it out

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