Italy head coach Jukka Jalonen

After Great Britain and Italy completed a two-game series in the UK, I was able to catch up with Italy's coach Jukka Jalonen.  The Finn, now 63, coached in the UK with Newcastle for two seasons.  He took the eighth seed Newcastle Riverkings to a playoff Final in 2000 and the Newcastle Jesters to a B&H Cup Final.  His record with Finland is unsurpassed with an Olympic gold and bronze, three World Championships and a World Junior Championships.

Jalonen has succeeded Mike Keenan as head coach of Italy, leading them in a home Winter Olympics Milan Cortina earlier this season, now heading to Switzerland for the IIHF World Championship looking for Italy to retain top division status.