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Mestis
Upcoming season or competition:
Current sports event 2025-26 Mestis season
FormerlyI-Divisioona
SportIce hockey
Founded2000; 25 years ago (2000)
FounderFinnish Ice Hockey Association
First season2000–01
MottoSuomen viihdyttävintä lätkää (Finland’s most entertaining hockey)
No. of teams10
Country Finland
Most recent
champion		Jokerit
(2024–25)
Most titlesJukurit (7)
BroadcasterC More
Level on pyramidLevel 2
Promotion toSM-liiga
Relegation toSuomi-sarja
Domestic cupFinnish Cup
Related
competitions		Naisten Mestis
Official websiteMestis.fi

Mestis (from Finnish: Mestaruussarja, meaning 'Championship series', stylized as MEST1S) is the second-highest men's ice hockey league in Finland. The league was established by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association in 2000 to replace the I-divisioona ('First Division').

Promotion to the SM-liiga is achievable for a Mestis team if it defeats an SM-liiga club in the qualification series and meets all the criteria established by the SM-liiga. However, Mestis is an open league that allows for relegation and promotion with the third league, Suomi-sarja.

Mestis is also the highest league under the governance of the FIHA.

History

[edit]

In the years 2000–2008, it was not practically possible for Mestis teams to get promoted to the SM-liiga, which was closed in 2000, but it was possible to drop down to the Suomi-sarja instead. However, KalPa was promoted to the SM-liiga in the spring of 2005, when the number of teams in the league was increased from 13 to 14 teams. For the 2008–2009 season, the SM-liiga qualifiers were brought back for a few seasons, but in the 2013–2014 season, the qualifiers were removed again. After the elimination of the qualifiers, Sport, KooKoo and Jukurit have been promoted to the SM-liiga through the license system.[1] The promotion and relegation between the SM-liiga was brought back for the 2024–25 season.

Mestis got a new team, HK Zemgale/LLU, from Latvia for the 2022–23 season.[1] HK Zemgale had never played in a Finnish league before and was added to Mestis to bring more entertainment and internationalization to Finnish ice hockey.[2]

According to Mestis themselves, they are talking with other international clubs about joining the Mestis league.[2][3]

Clubs

[edit]
class=notpageimage|
Finnish teams in Mestis 2024–25

The team names are usually the traditional name of the club. All clubs are commonly known by the name of their team. Oy and Ab are the abbreviations for limited company in Finnish and Swedish respectively.

Team name Club's registered name Location Home venue,

capacity

Titles Mestis
Hermes Kokkolan Hermes Oy Kokkola Kokkola Ice Hall,

4,200

0
IPK IPK Hockey Oy Iisalmi Kankaan jäähalli,

1,358

1
Jokerit Jokerit Helsinki Oy Helsinki Helsinki Ice Hall, 8,200

(Potentially Helsinki Halli, 13,349)

1
JoKP Joensuun Kiekko-Pojat Oy Joensuu Mehtimäki Ice Hall

4,039[4]

0
Ketterä Imatran Ketterä Oy Imatra OmaSp Areena,

1,200

3
KeuPa HT KeuPa Hockey Oy Keuruu Keuruu Ice Hall,

1,100

1
Kiekko-Vantaa Kiekko-Vantaa Hockey Oy Vantaa Tikkurila Ice Hall,

2,004

0
RoKi RoKi Hockey Oy Rovaniemi Lappi Areena,

3,500

0
TUTO Hockey TUTO Hockey Oy Turku Kupittaa multipurpose hall,

3,000

1

Past participants

[edit]
Vaasan Sport vs TuTo in 2005
KooKoo vs Jukurit in 2007

Mestis timeline

[edit]
2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023-24
K-Vantaa
TuTo TUTO Hockey
Jukurit
KooKoo
Sport
FPS
Hermes
Haukat
Ahmat
UJK
Diskos D Team JYP-Akatemia
Jokipojat JoKP
KalPa
Hokki Hokki
HCK Salamat
HeKi Peliitat
SaPKo
KOOVEE
LeKi
Titaanit
RoKi
K-Laser
HCK
KeuPa HT
IPK
Espoo United
Ketterä
K-Espoo
HK Zemgale
Jokerit

Winners

[edit]
See also: I-Divisioona
Year Champion Silver Bronze Regular Season
Winner
2001 Jukurit TuTo Hermes TuTo
2002 Jukurit KooKoo KalPa Jukurit
2003 Jukurit K-Vantaa KooKoo Jukurit
2004 KalPa Jukurit Hermes Jukurit
2005 KalPa Sport TuTo KalPa
2006 Jukurit Sport TuTo Jukurit
2007 Hokki Jukurit Sport Sport
2008 TuTo Hokki Jukurit TuTo
2009 Sport Jokipojat Hokki Jokipojat
2010 Jokipojat D-Team KooKoo KooKoo
2011 Sport Jukurit D-Team Jukurit
2012 Sport Jokipojat KooKoo Jukurit
2013 Jukurit KooKoo TUTO Hockey Jukurit
2014 KooKoo Jukurit TUTO Hockey TUTO Hockey
2015 Jukurit KooKoo Hokki Jukurit
2016 Jukurit Hokki Jokipojat Jukurit
2017 SaPKo K-Vantaa Espoo-United SaPKo
2018 KeuPa HT TUTO Hockey SaPKo KeuPa HT
2019 Ketterä KeuPa HT TUTO Hockey Hermes
2020 Season was not finished due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No medals were awarded. Ketterä
2021 Ketterä Hermes IPK Kiekko-Espoo
2022 Ketterä Kiekko-Espoo RoKi Ketterä
2023 Kiekko-Espoo Ketterä RoKi Kiekko-Espoo
2024 IPK Ketterä Kiekko-Espoo IPK
2025 Jokerit IPK K-Vantaa Jokerit
2026

Medal table:

team Gold Silver Bronze
Jukurit 7 4 1
Sport 3 2 1
Ketterä 3 2 0
KalPa 2 0 1
KooKoo 1 3 3
TUTO Hockey 1 2 5
Hokki 1 2 2
Jokipojat 1 2 1
K-Espoo 1 1 1
KeuPa HT 1 1 0
IPK 1 0 1
SaPKo 1 0 1
Jokerit 1 0 0
K-Vantaa 0 2 1
Hermes 0 1 2
JYP-Akatemia 0 1 1
RoKi 0 0 2
Espoo United 0 0 1

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mestis

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Mestis is the second-highest professional men's in , established in 2000 by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association to replace the former I-divisioona as the primary developmental tier below the elite . The league operates as an open competition, emphasizing local Finnish talent with limited international players, primarily serving as a stepping stone for prospects aiming to advance to higher professional levels in or . In the 2025–26 season, Mestis consists of 10 teams from cities across , including Hermes (Kokkola), IPK (Iisalmi), JoKP (), Jokerit (), Ketterä (), KeuPa HT (Keuruu), Kiekko-Vantaa (), Pyry Hockey (), RoKi (), and TUTO Hockey (). Each team plays a 49-game regular season schedule, after which the top eight advance to a playoff to crown the champion, while the bottom teams face potential relegation challenges from lower divisions like Suomi-sarja. The league's structure promotes competitive balance and player development, with teams often affiliated with clubs to facilitate talent pipelines. A significant evolution occurred starting with the 2024–25 season, when playoffs between Mestis and were reinstated for the first time since 2013, allowing the Mestis champion—such as in 2025—to compete against the Liiga's lowest-ranked team for a spot in the top division the following year. This system enhances stakes and mobility within Finnish hockey, though historical promotions have been rare, with only isolated cases like KalPa's ascent in 2005 prior to the reintroduction. Governed directly by the Finnish Association, Mestis maintains high standards of play, drawing average attendances that support community engagement and contributing to Finland's status as a global powerhouse.

Overview

League format

Mestis consists of 10 teams for the 2025–26 season, all based in with a geographical distribution spanning from northern locations like and Iisalmi to southern and central areas including , , , , Keuruu, , , and . The 2025–26 season includes newly promoted Pyry Hockey from . The regular season features 49 games per team, structured as a fivefold among the 10 teams—meaning each team plays every other team five times, split between home and away matches—supplemented by a single round-robin intermediate series among five-team groups. The league is governed by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association (Suomen Jääkiekkoliitto, SJL), which oversees operations through a dedicated licensing to ensure compliance with competition rules, financial stability, and ethical standards. Teams must obtain an annual Mestis license, requiring membership in the SJL and the Clubs Association (Jääkiekon Sarjaseurat ry), along with audited by December 31, interim reports by March 31, positive equity by the 2026–27 season, no outstanding tax debts, and monthly financial reporting to prevent . Operational requirements include operating as a corporation, signing at least 15 player contracts, conducting annual health checks and SCAT5 tests for players, maintaining a home arena with at least 500 seats and 1,200 total capacity (including video boards and safety features like cameras and first-aid rooms), adhering to IIHF-compliant rink dimensions (minimum 26m x 58m), and establishing junior development partnerships for U20, U18, and U16 levels. Player eligibility is regulated under SJL rules, with limits on foreign players to promote domestic development; teams may roster up to four non-/EEA players, while /EEA players face no numerical restrictions but must comply with and registration requirements.

Promotion and relegation

in Mestis facilitate mobility between Finland's top leagues, primarily through qualification series and licensing requirements. The Mestis champion qualifies for a playoff against the team finishing last in , the premier league; this best-of-seven series determines which team advances to the higher division for the following season. The winner must also satisfy Liiga's entry criteria, including financial stability, adequate arena facilities, and organizational standards, evaluated via a formal license application process. Direct between Mestis and were reinstated for the 2024–25 season, marking the first such opportunity since 2013 after a period of restricted access. For example, in 2025, won the Mestis championship and entered the qualification series against Pelicans but failed to secure promotion. Relegation from Mestis to the third-tier Suomi-sarja involves the ninth- and tenth-placed teams competing in a preliminary series, with the loser then facing the Suomi-sarja champion in a further qualification round to determine the final placement. Historically, promotions from Mestis to were severely limited between 2000 and 2008 due to 's closed structure, which prioritized financial and infrastructural barriers over on-ice performance. Subsequent entries relied on approvals rather than automatic relegation battles; notable cases include Sport Vaasa's promotion in 2015 to fill the vacancy left by Jokerit's departure to the KHL, and KooKoo's -based ascent that same year.

History

Establishment and early years

Mestis was established in 2000 by the to replace the I-divisioona, positioning it as the second-highest tier of men's in Finland below the closed SM-liiga. The league aimed to provide a competitive platform for , with an inaugural season featuring 12 teams competing in a of 44 games each, followed by culminating in a champion. This structure emphasized skill-building and regional talent pipelines while maintaining semi-professional operations to ensure sustainability. The first Mestis champion was Jukurit from , who defeated TUTO Hockey in the 2001 finals, marking the start of their early dominance with consecutive titles in 2002 and 2003. Subsequent years saw KalPa from claim back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005, followed by Jukurit's fourth win in 2006, Hokki from in 2007, TUTO from in 2008, from in 2009, and Jokipojat from in 2010. These victories highlighted the league's growing competitiveness, though promotion to SM-liiga remained restricted in the early years, with no automatic advancement until the exceptional case of KalPa's promotion in 2005 amid SM-liiga expansion from 13 to 14 teams. Throughout the first decade, Mestis grappled with financial instability, as several clubs faced debt and near-bankruptcy, exemplified by Jokipojat's severe economic struggles in 2010 that jeopardized their operations. Additionally, the league exhibited a strong regional focus on eastern , where teams like Jukurit, KalPa, and Jokipojat secured the majority of titles, reflecting concentrated fan support and local investment in that area while western and southern clubs worked to build stability. These challenges underscored the league's transitional role in fostering sustainable second-tier hockey amid limited resources.

Structural changes and promotions

In the late 2000s, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association reintroduced promotion qualifiers for Mestis teams to challenge for entry into the , marking a significant structural shift after the league had been closed to promotion from 2000 to 2008. This system, active from the 2008–09 season through 2013–14, allowed the Mestis champion to face the lowest-placed team in a best-of-seven series for promotion, though the ascending team was required to purchase shares in the franchise to complete the move. The reintroduction aimed to restore competitive balance and merit-based advancement between the tiers, but it resulted in limited success, with no direct promotions occurring during this period due to the financial barriers and license requirements. Following the 2013–14 season, the qualifier system was discontinued, transitioning Mestis to a license-based promotion model administered by the . Under this framework, Mestis teams could apply for expansion spots or replacements in the by demonstrating financial stability, arena standards, and organizational capacity, without direct on-ice qualifiers against teams. This change emphasized sustainability over immediate competition, enabling several notable promotions in the mid-2010s as the expanded from 13 to 15 teams amid vacancies from teams like (which joined the KHL in 2014) and the bankruptcy of Espoo Blues. One of the earliest successes under the evolving system was KalPa's promotion in 2005, just prior to the closure period, after winning the Mestis championship and meeting the league's expansion criteria to join as the 14th team. Subsequent promotions highlighted the license system's impact. Vaasan Sport earned entry for the 2014–15 season to fill the vacancy left by , leveraging their strong Mestis performance and financial backing. followed in 2015–16, securing a license after consistent top finishes in Mestis and demonstrating readiness for the higher level. Jukurit completed the trio of mid-decade ascents in 2016–17, promoted as the expanded to 15 teams, based on their seven Mestis championships and infrastructure improvements. These moves stabilized the while elevating Mestis's profile as a developmental pathway. League format adjustments occurred periodically to address participation and competitiveness. For instance, the 2005–06 season featured only 11 teams following KalPa's promotion, requiring a condensed schedule before returning to 12 teams the next year. Playoff structures were expanded in later years, evolving from a simple champion determination to include up to eight teams in quarterfinals by the , with best-of-five and best-of-seven series to determine the Mestis winner eligible for license applications. The 2020–21 season was notably impacted by the , resulting in a shortened schedule for some teams due to postponed games and protocols enforced by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association. With 12 teams competing, the league adopted enhanced health measures, including limited spectator attendance and flexible rescheduling, but maintained the core playoff format to crown Ketterä as champions amid ongoing disruptions. In a further structural evolution, qualifiers between Mestis and were reinstated starting with the 2024–25 season, the first since 2013. This allows the Mestis champion to compete against the Liiga's lowest-ranked team in a best-of-seven series for promotion, enhancing mobility and stakes. In 2025, , as Mestis champions, faced Pelicans in this series, though no promotion resulted.

International expansion

The inclusion of international teams in Mestis marked a brief attempt to broaden the league's scope beyond , beginning with the entry of the Latvian club HK Zemgale/LLU for the 2022–23 season. This addition expanded the league to 14 teams and was announced on August 12, 2022, following the joint hosting of the 2023 IIHF World Championship by and , which fostered closer hockey ties between the nations. HK Zemgale, the reigning Latvian champions, entered under a 1+2 year agreement aimed at enhancing player development and competitiveness, particularly after the withdrawal of and from the KHL due to the Russia-Ukraine . The move was positioned as a logical progression to provide Latvian players with exposure to a higher level of competition while internationalizing Finnish second-tier hockey. However, the experiment lasted only one season, as HK Zemgale/LLU withdrew ahead of the 2023–24 season due to significant logistical and financial challenges. Finnish teams faced increased costs and scheduling strains from travel to , such as the 1,250 km distance from to . HK Zemgale struggled competitively, finishing last with 13 points in 48 games on a young roster of professionals and university students. Eligibility issues for Latvian players under import quotas and IIHF regulations further complicated potential promotion paths. These hurdles led to the end of the international participation without further expansion, such as planned entries from , reducing Mestis back to domestic teams.

Teams

Current teams

Mestis features 10 teams competing in the 2025–26 season, all based in . These clubs represent a mix of established organizations and a newly promoted side, playing in regional arenas that vary in size from small community facilities to larger multi-purpose venues. Below is a summary of the current teams, including their locations, home arenas and capacities, founding years, ownership structures where notable, and key recent performance highlights.
TeamLocationHome Arena (Capacity)FoundedOwnership StructureRecent Performance Highlights
HermesKokkolan jäähalli (4,200)1953Community associationFinished 4th in 2024–25 regular season with 72 points; quarterfinalist.
IPKIisalmiKankaan jäähalli (1,300)1966Local Runner-up in 2024–25 Mestis finals, losing to ; strong regular season with 83 points.
Veikkaus Arena (13,349)1967Corporate-backed group, including NHL player 2024–25 Mestis champions, dominating with 113 points in regular season and playoff victory; as of November 2025, 4th in 2025–26 standings.
JoKPMehtimäen Jäähalli (4,800)1953Fan and community-owned associationFinished 5th in 2024–25 with 72 points; leading 2025–26 standings with 29 points after 14 games.
KetteräTitaani Areena (2,000)1978Local club structureFinished 3rd in 2024–25 regular season with 81 points; semifinalist; early 2025–26 form includes OT wins, sitting 6th.
KeuPa HTKeuruuMetsä-Multia Areena (1,200)1995Community-basedFinished 9th in 2024–25 regular season with 56 points; missed playoffs; lower standings in 2025–26.
Kiekko-VantaaTrio Areena (3,700)1993Regional sports associationFinished 6th in 2024–25 regular season with 70 points, playoff quarterfinalist; competitive early 2025–26.
RoKiLappi Areena (3,500)1979Local fan-ownedFinished 7th in 2024–25 with 68 points, missed playoffs; 2nd in early 2025–26 with 28 points.
TUTO HockeyRajupaja Areena (2,985)1929Multi-sport clubFinished 8th in 2024–25 with 65 points; quarterfinalist; rebuilding in 2025–26, 5th place.
Pyry HockeyKattokeskus Areena (1,100)1905Community associationDirectly promoted to Mestis for 2025–26 to replace bankrupt Hokki; new to league, currently near bottom but showing promise.
Most teams operate as non-profit associations supported by local communities and sponsors, with standing out due to its professional ownership model aimed at eventual return to higher divisions. Facilities range from modern arenas hosting thousands to intimate venues fostering close fan engagement.

Past teams and timeline

Several teams have participated in Mestis since its in 2000 but are no longer active in the league due to promotions to the higher-tier , financial bankruptcies, license denials, or relocations. These changes have shaped the league's composition, often introducing new entrants from lower divisions while removing established clubs, which has occasionally led to regional imbalances, such as reduced representation from eastern or northern when key teams like Hokki or Jukurit departed. Prominent promoted teams include KalPa, which joined Mestis in 2001 and ascended to Liiga after the 2004–05 season by winning the league championship and securing a license. Vaasan Sport, a founding member from 2000, was promoted in 2014 following strong performance and league expansion opportunities. KooKoo, also a 2000 founder, earned promotion in 2015 through the license system after multiple Mestis titles. Jukurit, present since 2000, moved to Liiga in 2016 amid the Espoo Blues' bankruptcy, filling a vacancy as the 16th team. More recently, Kiekko-Espoo joined Mestis in 2020 and was promoted for the 2024–25 Liiga season as part of further expansion. Defunct or otherwise inactive teams highlight financial challenges in the league. Hokki from , which entered in 2002, played until the 2024–25 season before declaring in March 2025 due to deteriorating finances, leaving a gap in northern representation. United, formed in 2016 after the Blues' collapse, operated for two seasons before filing for in April 2018. Other notable exits include JYP-Akatemia, which joined in 2011 but was relegated and folded in 2017; LeKi, active from 2007 to 2019, which lost its Mestis license in 2019 over financial issues; and SaPKo, present from 2006 to 2022, which went bankrupt amid economic pressures. Earlier defunct clubs like Jää-Ahmat (2000–2004), Haukat (2000–2005), and FPS (2001–2005) folded due to , contributing to early league instability. HK Zemgale/LLU from joined in 2022 but withdrew after the 2022–23 season, citing logistical challenges.
YearTeamEntry YearExit YearReason for ExitKey Event
2004Jää-Ahmat20002004FoldingBankruptcy after poor performance.
2005KalPa20012005Promotion to Won 2004–05 Mestis title.
2005Haukat20002005FoldingFinancial insolvency.
2005FPS20012005FoldingBankruptcy.
2013HCK20122013FoldingInsolvency after one season.
2014Vaasan Sport20002014Promotion to License granted amid expansion.
201520002015Promotion to Multiple titles led to license.
2016Jukurit20002016Promotion to Filled vacancy post-Blues bankruptcy.
2017JYP-Akatemia20112017FoldingRelegated then bankrupt.
2018Espoo United20162018FoldingBankruptcy after 2017–18 season.
2019LeKi20072019License denialFinancial difficulties prevented renewal.
2022SaPKo20062022FoldingBankruptcy.
2023HK Zemgale/LLU20222023WithdrawalLogistical issues for Latvian team.
2025Hokki20022025FoldingBankruptcy in March 2025.
2024Kiekko-Espoo20202024Promotion to Expansion slot for 2024–25 season.
These shifts have impacted league stability by increasing turnover, with promotions bolstering Liiga's depth but bankruptcies underscoring economic vulnerabilities in smaller markets, sometimes exacerbating regional disparities in fan bases and talent distribution.

Season and competition

Regular season

The regular season of Mestis consists of each of the 10 participating teams playing a total of 49 games, structured as a series of home and away matchups against all other teams in a multi-round format to ensure a balanced . This setup allows for competitive depth without interleague play from external divisions, as Mestis operates as a standalone second-tier league. The season typically spans from to March, with games scheduled primarily on weekends and select weekdays to accommodate fan attendance and player recovery. Points are awarded in the regular season as follows: three points for a regulation-time win, two points for an or win, one point for an or loss, and zero points for a regulation-time loss. This system encourages aggressive play while rewarding extended efforts in tied games, where lasts 5 minutes at 3-on-3 before proceeding to a three-shooter if necessary. Standings are determined by total points accumulated, with the top teams qualifying for based on their final positions. In case of ties in total points, teams are ranked first by (goals for minus goals against) across all games. If remains equal, further tiebreakers include overall goals scored in the , followed by head-to-head points earned in matches between the tied teams, then goals scored in those head-to-head games. Additional criteria, such as penalty minutes, may apply in rare multi-team ties to ensure clear ordering. Recent seasons have generally adhered to the standard 49-game format, though external factors like the led to a shortened 2020–21 season with only 30 games per team to mitigate health risks and logistical challenges. No such variations have occurred in the 2024–25 or ongoing 2025–26 seasons, maintaining the full schedule amid stable conditions.

Playoffs and finals

The Mestis playoffs consist of an elimination tournament featuring the top eight teams from the regular season standings, determining the league through a series of bracketed matchups. The ninth- and tenth-placed teams instead compete in a separate best-of-seven qualification series, with the winner securing its place in Mestis for the following season and the loser facing the Suomi-sarja in another best-of-seven relegation series. Quarterfinal pairings pit the first seed against the eighth, the second against the seventh, the third against the sixth, and the fourth against the fifth, all contested in best-of-five series requiring three wins. Advancing teams then enter the semifinals, where the highest remaining seed faces the lowest and the second-highest faces the second-lowest, in best-of-seven series needing four wins; a single game is played between semifinal losers. The finals, also best-of-seven, crown the champion and grant the winner the Mestis trophy along with a spot in the promotion/relegation series. In the 2024–25 season, claimed the championship by defeating IPK 4–1 in the , a series that highlighted the competitive intensity of the postseason format. Playoff games are broadcast live and with commentary on Katsomo, enhancing national accessibility and viewership during the tournament. Attendance trends in the demonstrate a surge compared to the regular season, driven by fan enthusiasm for elimination stakes and marquee teams; for example, 's Game 5 finals victory over IPK at home drew 6,833 spectators, reflecting heightened engagement in high-profile contests.

Champions and records

List of champions

Mestis champions are determined annually through the league's playoff system, culminating in a best-of-seven finals series between the top two remaining teams since the 2012–13 season (best-of-five prior). The league has crowned a every since its in 2000–01, except for 2019–20 when the playoffs were cancelled due to the . Jukurit holds the record for the most titles with seven. Successful champions have the opportunity to advance to the , Finland's top professional league, either through direct promotion in the league's early years or via a best-of-seven promotion/relegation series against the Liiga's lowest-placed team starting from the 2024–25 season. Prior to that, promotions often occurred through a licensing process granted to strong performers. Notable promotions include KalPa after the 2004–05 season, Sport in 2014, KooKoo in 2015, Jukurit in 2016, and Kiekko-Espoo in 2024 following league expansion.
SeasonChampionFinalistSeries ScorePromoted to Liiga?
2000–01JukuritTUTO Hockey3–2No
2001–02JukuritKooKoo3–1No
2002–03JukuritKiekko-Vantaa3–0No
2003–04KalPaJukurit3–2No
2004–05KalPaSport3–0Yes
2005–06JukuritSport3–1No
2006–07HokkiJukurit3–0No
2007–08TUTO HockeyHokki3–2No
2008–09SportJokipojat3–1No
2009–10JokipojatD Team3–1No
2010–11SportJukurit3–2No
2011–12SportJokipojat3–0No
2012–13JukuritKooKoo3–0No
2013–14KooKooJukurit4–1Yes (2015)
2014–15JukuritKooKoo4–1No
2015–16JukuritHokki4–0Yes
2016–17SaPKoKiekko-Vantaa4–0No
2017–18KeuPa HTTUTO Hockey4–2No
2018–19KetteräKeuPa HT4–1No
2019–20No playoffsN/AN/AN/A
2020–21KetteräHermes4–2No
2021–22KetteräKiekko-Espoo4–3No
2022–23Kiekko-EspooKetterä4–2Yes (2024)
2023–24IPKKetterä4–3No
2024–25JokeritIPK4–1No
The table above lists all Mestis champions since 2000, including finals details where available from official league records. Series scores reflect best-of-five format in early seasons and best-of-seven from 2012–13 onward, except where noted. Promotion outcomes indicate successful advancement to in the immediate or following season via direct entry, licensing, or series win.

Statistical records

Jukurit holds the record for the most Mestis championships with seven titles, achieved between 2001 and 2016. Other notable team achievements include Jokerit's single-game attendance record of 8,200 spectators, set on October 6, 2024, against Kiekko-Vantaa, surpassing the previous mark of 6,982. Individual records highlight prolific careers in the league. Aki Keinänen leads all-time in points with 473 (239 goals, 234 assists) over 600 games, followed closely by Mikko Liukkonen with 392 points (154 goals, 238 assists) in 388 games. For single-season performance, Oula Palve set the points benchmark with 71 (32 goals, 39 assists) during the 2015-2016 campaign for Jukurit. In goaltending, Juuso Helomaa recorded the most shutouts with 10 across 74 appearances. League-wide trends show fluctuating scoring levels, with the 2015-2016 season featuring high individual outputs like Jonatan Tanus's 40 goals for SaPKo, reflecting an offensive peak before more defensive playstyles emerged in later years. The Mestis Playoffs MVP award, introduced in recent seasons, recognizes standout performers in the postseason. Below is a table of winners from available records:
SeasonPlayerPositionTeam
2020-21Marlo KoponenFKetterä
2021-22Janne KettunenFKetterä
2022-23Tommi HuhtalaF
2023-24Austin AlgerFIPK
2024-25Unknown--

References

  1. https://www.playhockeyineurope.com/blog/finland-hockey-leagues
  2. https://www.eurohockey.com/league/369-mestis.html
  3. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/mestis
  4. https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/filppulas-jokerit-wins-finnish-2nd-league-title-will-now-play-for-advancement
  5. https://mestis.fi/fi/mestis/pelaamistapa-202526
  6. https://mestis.fi/fi/mestis/lisenssiehdot
  7. https://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10269
  8. https://yle.fi/a/74-20060379
  9. https://yle.fi/a/74-20055163
  10. https://yle.fi/a/74-20156590
  11. https://yle.fi/a/3-7751352
  12. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1399652/FULLTEXT01.pdf
  13. https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/10024/125558/1/Tuomainen_Marko.pdf
  14. https://yle.fi/a/3-7502337
  15. https://www.thesportsdb.com/league/4935-finnish-mestis
  16. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/mestis/2000-2001
  17. https://www.jatkoaika.com/Artikkeli/Mestis-2000−2020-Yksi-dynastia-ja-yhdeksän-muuta-mestaria/222944
  18. https://internationalhockey.fandom.com/wiki/Mestis
  19. https://www.betsapi.com/l/1054/Finland-Mestis
  20. https://www.hockeydb.com/stte/sport-vaasa-11524.html
  21. https://www.hockeydb.com/stte/kookoo-kouvola-11647.html
  22. https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2024/07/capitals-loan-ludwig-persson-to-liigas-jukurit.html
  23. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/348.html
  24. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/mestis/2020-2021
  25. https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2023/cce/news/40547/finnish_league_boost_latvians
  26. https://www.iihf.com/en/static/5453/eligibility
  27. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/mestis20002025.html
  28. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/mestis/2024-2025
  29. https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/41/jokerit
  30. https://www.nhl.com/news/esa-lindell-thrilled-to-be-part-of-jokerit-ownership-group-in-finland
  31. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/mestis/standings/2025-2026
  32. https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/416/jokp
  33. https://mestis.fi/en/tilastot/joukkueet/
  34. https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/1101/roki
  35. https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/5008/pyry-hockey
  36. https://thehockeywriters.com/nokian-pyry-closes-gap-their-mestis-journey/
  37. https://www.quanthockey.com/mestis/en/seasons/2024-25/
  38. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/mestis/stats/all-time-team
  39. https://www.internationalhockeywiki.com/ihw/index.php/Mestis
  40. https://www.icehockey24.com/finland/mestis/standings/
  41. https://www.sofascore.com/tournament/ice-hockey/finland/mestis/259
  42. https://www.jokerit.fi/uutiset/pudotuspelien-ja-mestis-karsintojen-aikataulut-on-nyt-julki-katso-ne-tlt
  43. https://www.mtv.fi/ohjelmat/mestis
  44. https://mestis.fi/en/ottelut/2024-2025/playoffs/51280/kokoonpanot/
  45. https://www.jatkoaika.com/Artikkeli/Mestis-2000%E2%88%922020-Yksi-dynastia-ja-yhdeks%C3%A4n-muuta-mestaria/222944
  46. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/mestis/2022-2023
  47. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/mestis/2023-2024
  48. https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/players/return-of-the-jokers-how-current-and-former-nhlers-helped-save-one-of-finlands-most-iconic-brands
  49. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/mestis/stats/all-time?sort=PTS
  50. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/mestis/stats/all-time-season
  51. https://www.eliteprospects.com/awards/mestis?name=Finland2%2B%28Mestis%29%2BPlayoffs%2BMVP
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