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Oilers' New Assistant GM Tobias Salmelainen Grateful for HIFK Years
🇫🇮 Finland /Sports

Oilers' New Assistant GM Tobias Salmelainen Grateful for HIFK Years

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Tobias Salmelainen has been appointed as the new assistant general manager for the NHL team Edmonton Oilers.
  • In his role, Salmelainen will oversee European player development and recruitment, managing the Oilers' European staff.
  • He previously served as sports director for HIFK in Finland from 2017 to 2024, a position he credits with developing his leadership skills.

Tobias Salmelainen, 41, has been named the new assistant general manager for the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, a significant step up after two seasons focused on European player development and recruitment. He is one of three assistant GMs working under Stan Bowman.

The new role increases responsibility. The organization wanted a so-called European pillar, and I am responsible for all aspects related to hockey operations.

— Tobias SalmelainenDescribing his new responsibilities as assistant general manager for the Edmonton Oilers.

In his expanded role, Salmelainen will be responsible for all aspects of hockey operations within Europe. This includes player development and recruitment, but also extends to overseeing the Oilers' personnel based in Europe. While the general manager makes the final decisions, Salmelainen's task is to provide the necessary information for those crucial choices.

Ultimately, the GM makes the final decision. My task is to provide him with information so he can make the best possible decisions.

— Tobias SalmelainenExplaining his role in the player acquisition process.

His work has already contributed to the Oilers signing European players like Viljami Marjala and Atro Leppänen, who played in the Finnish SM-liiga, and Josh Samanski, who previously played in Germany's DEL. Aku Räty, a forward from Kärpät, also recently signed with the team. Salmelainen travels extensively, scouting games weekly across Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Slovakia.

There is a big leap from European rinks to North American rinks. If you go there and there are uncertainties in your own performance, players will be eaten alive there. The competition is that tough.

— Tobias SalmelainenDiscussing the challenges players face when transitioning from European leagues to the NHL.

Salmelainen acknowledges the significant jump from European leagues to North America, warning that players must be prepared for the intense competition. He also reflects on his previous role as sports director for HIFK from 2017 to 2024, stating that the experience, which involved managing multiple teams and staff, was instrumental in developing his leadership and management capabilities, preparing him for his current position with the Oilers.

I believe that was one big reason why the Oilers management saw me as a fit for this role.

— Tobias SalmelainenReferring to his experience as sports director at HIFK and its impact on his NHL appointment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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