HELSINKI – Jukka Jalonen will continue to coach the Finnish national team after renewing his contract through 2012 when Finland will co-host the World Championship in Helsinki along with Sweden.

The 47-year-old joined the coaching staff of the Finnish national team in 2007 and became head coach in 2008.

“I’m really pleased to remain coach of the national team including the 2012 World Championship on home ice,” said Jalonen. “Now I’m looking forward to the Olympics. It’s a huge honour to lead the team to the Olympic Winter Games.”

He also said that he hopes his assistant coaches Risto Dufva and Timo Lehkonen will stay with the national team.