Tomi Kallio is out on his last battle. GP’s hockey reporter John Rylander went to Småland – and ended up in the midst of Lego pieces, painful slips and a realistic dream of gold.
Type: Johan Rylander
Photos: Petter Arvidson
On the refrigerator in stainless steel is a yellowed photograph attached with magnets. A bearded hockey player with a red Indian fitted sweater has just closed the SM-finals and shouting out his joy.
It is understood Tomi Kallio on the photo.
“That’s his motivation picture!”
Ms. Sini smiles and invites us in the house of one of Växjö’s quieter areas. This is where the family lives for four years, this is where his career in Sweden will be terminated.
Sini cloths forward cinnamon buns so fresh that they almost feels warm still. There is also some Karelian pies in the freezer, but in Småland is no supermarket with Finnish specialties.
– We used to go to the Hisingen, remember Tomi Kallio with a smile.
His playoff beard is much darker days, darkness has come over the years. The gyllenguldiga beard tint the fridge photograph has turned to almost black.
The boys Wilmer and Valtter, seven and three years, roars past. They settle down in the brown tygsoffan and replace Pokemon cards.
– It is what counts this week. Other weeks it Chima Lego, Lego Ninjago or hockey cards. It shifts quickly, says Tomi.
He can stand tall in the course of their guys, especially when it got a new hockey card.
– Wilmer tried to replace all their cards against a single new to me with his little brother – but Valtter said no …
Tomi Kallio is Frölunda Legendary forced from Dubai – and ended up as the captain of the gold betting Växjö Lakers.
After nine seasons with the Scandinavium home rink remember Tomi still that farewell meeting in Gothenburg with shivers of discomfort.
He was called up in a room just when the season had ended and there sat Mats Ahdrian (club director), Christer Kellgren (sporting director) and Kent Johansson (coach).
“We have decided that you do not belong Frölunda’s future.”
– I was totally shocked … it was something that maybe I had prepared myself for a bit, because no one had talked to me at the end. But I never thought it would happen. I do not remember much more of the meeting after the words … everything was just black.
Tomi silent, looking out towards the small river where his son Wilmer usually catch lots of fish.
You wanted to stay?
– I remember Kenta at a call option in February told me to start looking for other clubs – but I said I do not want anyone else. I’ll end here.
He and his wife Siri and then two year old son Wilmer had intended to stay in Dubai – and building the future in Sweden. Both went from being completely Finnish language to learn a new language.
Everything was shattered.
– I told my agent that I was willing to accept pay quite a lot – and he said that he would never advise a player to tell the media … but I was an exception, because my thing with Frölunda was so special. Some said I’d been expensive in salary even though I went down – but I was not even one of the five highest-paid players in Frölunda at that time …
But Frölunda called not once Tomi Kallio’s agent after the meeting. It was thanks and goodbye, forever.
– I have experienced the best years of my hockey career in Dubai – but also the worst part … I know it was not Mats Ahdrians decision to remove me. I think that’s important to let people know, in case anyone would believe it.
Many of Frölunda fans still believe that the club treated the Finnish icon wrong. To hell wrong.
When Växjö came to Scandinavium Arena for the first semifinal in March earlier this year, was interviewed Tomi Kallio of closed circuit television in the arena.
When the face appeared on the Jumbotron came the spontaneous jubelhyllningen – which reached until Kallio a bit under the stands.
The smile could not hold back.
– I heard a little bit – but several of my teammates came up afterwards and said, “Damn, so powerful!” It warms my heart. To know that people still remember and appreciate me.
Växjö has surprised so far in the finals – and keep pace with Skellefteå. Gameplay-wise differs not much at all – and right now actually leads the Lakers 2-1 in matches.
– It is a series of concentration and focus. The team that manages to keep the best will also win the gold. I think that the point of both teams is equal, just like the coaches and game systems.
Sports director Henrik Evertsson has always had a clear vision in Växjö – and built right where the lack Charter of the team.
– I got a really good impression already at our first meetings. He told me about his idea – which I would play with, what types or players would be enlisted. Without his job had never Vaxjo been in the finals after just four years … for he has scouted really good. There are none who plays for himself, but all fit – and struggling team.
Has it during your four years never enlisted into a star who has only been playing for himself?
– Well, it has happened a few times. But then, they have not been around long either, says Tomi.
Kallio aged 38 years – and not heard a word about the future in Växjö Lakers. It teaches indicate that it has reached the end of Småland – and thus in Sweden.
– I have one, maybe maximum two years left on my career – if I continue to play. The body feels anyway good. It is the head that must be justified for 55-60 matches. And pulling up the family to move to a new city? Nah, I do not need it, says Tomi honestly.
His old mother club TPS Turku has shown interest – and that’s where the family looking to move.
– TPS want me, that’s it. But I have said that I want to play clear playoffs before I make a decision – and that the club has respected.
You closes the loop in your hometown?
– Yes, it will be in that case. I do not know how it would feel to live in Finland again. We usually stay at home in the summer, but in the summer it is nice everywhere.
Has much changed in Turku and in Finland during the fifteen years since you played abroad?
– Well, it’s probably more likely that I changed and grown up.
Down in the living room with an open plan to the kitchen are the sons’ hockey clubs lined up.
They are all taped with white fabric tape, and something soft inside it.
– It is I who made it. Otherwise they beat down everything, laughs Tomi.
Wilmer also plays hockey in the Lakers 08: s – and can be understood already to go backwards and shoot slap shot.
– It is not I who taught him! I tried to teach him to skate, but he just lay down and got pissed. It was Frederick North Cardenas (old Frölunda goalie) son finally got to teach him …
Sometimes the guys running the game in the grounds outside or in the living room. Some times the Lakers-shirts, others in Frölunda …
On the cards that sits almost everywhere in the house also has lots of pictures of Indian symbols.
Gold Memories, of course.
– It would be fantastic to get the win again, says Tomi and starts building Lego with the boys.
Also read John Rylander’s hockey blog: “Hoist Kallio’s sweater in Scandinavium”
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