Finnish hockey father suggests NHL fees should benefit families and junior clubs

The high cost of youth hockey in Finland is a significant barrier to participation, prompting a call for a fairer distribution of NHL development fees. Tero Helenius, father of Finnish national player Konsta Helenius, suggested that a portion of the substantial fees paid by the NHL to Finnish clubs should be redirected to parents and junior organizations.

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The question is about NHL development compensation, which is a considerable source of income for SM-liiga clubs.

SM-liiga clubs in Finland receive millions of euros annually from the NHL as development compensation for players who sign NHL contracts. In 2024, these clubs received approximately four million euros. Helenius argues that while these clubs benefit financially, the sport's overall accessibility suffers. He points out that the annual cost for a dedicated junior player can easily exceed 10,000 euros, making it unaffordable for many families.

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The cost of the sport is the biggest obstacle to increasing the number of participants.

Helenius calculated that his son Konsta's hockey journey has cost the family 50,000 euros. He believes that the development work is primarily done by parents and junior clubs over many years, not solely by the SM-liiga teams. Therefore, he proposes that at least part of the NHL compensation should support parents and junior initiatives, helping to reduce the financial burden and encourage broader participation. This approach, he contends, would be a more sensible and equitable investment in the sport's future vitality.

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The sum is divided among the four clubs that the player represented before signing the contract.