Here in Finland there's so many opinions of this all. Or, well, I think we have less opinions about Rantanen missing the entry day and having fines. More about release and about the service generally.
People get angry for those who is released, superstars or common folk. Then there's the debates like should mandatory military service apply not only for men but also women. Or is it okay, in these days of equality, that it is voluntary for us but not them? I did volunteer in 2004 and think maybe, in some form or other, it should be mandatory for everyone. Some believe we shouldn't have mandatory service at all. Luckily I don't have to make those decisions...
Some people believe athletes buy themselves out from the service. I'd like to believe there is actual reason for those releases. And then again, some people believe common folk can also get release very easily, if right doctor is found. Conversation can get quite intense about these things.
I don't mind and definitely am not upset about Hintz and Rantanen getting released. I don't have to know the reasoning. But if they have actual reasons, unfortunately those can affect their game too. That's not so fun.
From Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, by Veikla Lokka, 6th Aug 2025 (translated from Finnish by Chrome):
"At the top level of sports, success in a sport does not always correlate with performing military service. On a general level, physical ailments, for example, due to knee injuries, a person cannot run or due to back injuries, a person cannot carry a backpack," replied Juho Leppälä, Deputy Director of the Finnish Defence Forces Sports School , by email.
Then there could also be something like diabetes. Usually IS and IL are annoyingly seeking attention and making sensation of everything, like tabloids do. But here's the IL article about those possible reasons why athletes like everyone else could be released:
Thank you for this further background, Elina! That IL article is very helpful, and I am glad you provided it.
The debate in Finland about this service is complicated, but you provide a very clear window into the different areas of discussion. I think superstar athletes will always be looked at with suspicion when they avoid service like this, even if they have a legitimate excuse. Money and privilege tend to exclude the benefit of the doubt. (Though Hintz's many injuries might provide him more leeway, perhaps.)
Jouni provided a picture on Twitter of Samuel Helenius (https://x.com/OnsideWithJouni/status/1960714232699257321), who just completed some of his military service this summer. I must think that those who do complete their service take a great deal of pride in having done so---especially if they know they might have found a way to avoid it.
I have much to learn about Finland, still, but I am grateful to folks like you for being patient with my ignorance and helping me learn!
The most entertaining part might be the Avs fans trying to make it a 'Dallas Stars' thing when he was still a member of the Avs when this happened.
I suppose every fanbase has the inclination to blame a rival whenever the opportunity arises. Or even when it doesn't!
Definitely not drawing a long bow when I say, this’ll motivate Rantanen to have a 45+ goal season and win the Conn Smythe
He very well could have won the latter last year, after what he did in the first two rounds. But alas.
Here in Finland there's so many opinions of this all. Or, well, I think we have less opinions about Rantanen missing the entry day and having fines. More about release and about the service generally.
People get angry for those who is released, superstars or common folk. Then there's the debates like should mandatory military service apply not only for men but also women. Or is it okay, in these days of equality, that it is voluntary for us but not them? I did volunteer in 2004 and think maybe, in some form or other, it should be mandatory for everyone. Some believe we shouldn't have mandatory service at all. Luckily I don't have to make those decisions...
Some people believe athletes buy themselves out from the service. I'd like to believe there is actual reason for those releases. And then again, some people believe common folk can also get release very easily, if right doctor is found. Conversation can get quite intense about these things.
I don't mind and definitely am not upset about Hintz and Rantanen getting released. I don't have to know the reasoning. But if they have actual reasons, unfortunately those can affect their game too. That's not so fun.
From Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, by Veikla Lokka, 6th Aug 2025 (translated from Finnish by Chrome):
"At the top level of sports, success in a sport does not always correlate with performing military service. On a general level, physical ailments, for example, due to knee injuries, a person cannot run or due to back injuries, a person cannot carry a backpack," replied Juho Leppälä, Deputy Director of the Finnish Defence Forces Sports School , by email.
Then there could also be something like diabetes. Usually IS and IL are annoyingly seeking attention and making sensation of everything, like tabloids do. But here's the IL article about those possible reasons why athletes like everyone else could be released:
https://www.iltalehti.fi/jaakiekko/a/8afd2c36-b6e0-422d-b7cb-3808f2305c75
Sorry if you already linked that, I tried to check all your links and think I did not see it... 🫣😅
And I appreciate your deep dive into Finnish news!
Thank you for this further background, Elina! That IL article is very helpful, and I am glad you provided it.
The debate in Finland about this service is complicated, but you provide a very clear window into the different areas of discussion. I think superstar athletes will always be looked at with suspicion when they avoid service like this, even if they have a legitimate excuse. Money and privilege tend to exclude the benefit of the doubt. (Though Hintz's many injuries might provide him more leeway, perhaps.)
Jouni provided a picture on Twitter of Samuel Helenius (https://x.com/OnsideWithJouni/status/1960714232699257321), who just completed some of his military service this summer. I must think that those who do complete their service take a great deal of pride in having done so---especially if they know they might have found a way to avoid it.
I have much to learn about Finland, still, but I am grateful to folks like you for being patient with my ignorance and helping me learn!
And also... "In this case, a high-profile athlete missed a deadline, so it’s a big story, especially in the offseason." 💯 agreed!
I like your footnote, totally agree :p
The footnote on this one was worth the whole price of admission.