Joonas Kylmakorpi

Career Statistics

Born: 14^th February 1980

Nationality: Finnish

Appearances for Country: 9

Points for Country: 87

Start of season average: 6.02

Eastbourne Career Statistics

Appearances: 106

Points: 671

Average: 6.70

The last 9 years – Elite League Career Averages

Profile

It is a warm welcome back to the Arlington Stadium for Swedish-born Finn Joonas Kylmakorpi, an asset of the Eagles until his signing for the then Arena Essex Hammers in 2006.  He remained with the club through their rebranding in 2007, and continued to contribute to their cause up to and including their 2009 Knockout Cup victory.

Last season was, however, his worst since 2002, a difficult season away from Eastbourne on loan with Ipswich.  Kylmakorpi joined the Eagles in 2001, the 1999 Swedish Under 21 Champion signing on after five years in Sweden’s top tier.  And he adapted similarly quickly to Britain’s top flight: after a difficult start which saw him complete his first eight meetings with an average of just three points, he gradually improved to post a season-ending 5.55 figure.  Indeed, a resurgence through June and July saw him net three consecutive double figure scores, a match-winning thirteen points at home to eventual League winners Oxford recorded with four successive victories.  However, such an improvement meant that no space was available under teambuilding regulations for the young Finn in the 2002 team, and he made a move to Ipswich, which saw him net just two double figure scores in the entire League season, ironically one of which was in a two point win over former club Eastbourne.

 With a disappointing 2002, though, Joonas was able to take advantage of the new doubling down regulations to return to Eastbourne in the Elite League, whilst doubling up with Arena Essex in the Premier League.  He became a popular number one with the Purfleet club, recording four maximums on his way to an average of over nine points per match.  And he was similarly successful for his parent club, boasting a career best of over seven points per match, nine double figure scores eventually covering for a disappointing start to the year.  After a dip in 2004, and with both David Norris and Nicki Pedersen retained on over nine point averages, the decision was made to release the Finn, who moved to Peterborough for the start of the 2005 season.  He eventually completed the year with Coventry, taking his first League Championship medal with the Bees.  Kylmakorpi had proven popular with the fans at Arena Essex and, when a space in the team became available with Gary Havelock and Mark Loram moving on, Joonas moved back to his former club in a full-time Elite League role.  Increasingly hit by injury, the latest of which ruled him out for the majority of last season, Kylmakorpi was released for 2010 teambuilding by the side, and a return to his roots with Eastbourne will appear a natural progression.

Alex Raby