Finnish forward Michelle Karvinen has had five successful seasons in Norrbotten behind her. She has helped Luleå Hockey / MSSK to three SM golds and she has also won the points league in SDHL on three occasions.

Taking shelter from leaving Luleå became emotional.

- I was nervous when I announced that my career is continuing elsewhere. I wondered how the club and the supporters would react and it was an emotional moment. But everyone has supported me after my decision in a nice way. Playing in Luleå has been the best in my entire career, says Michelle Karvinen to Yle.

New club

What the next club will be for Michelle Karvinen is not official, but it is clear that it will not become another club in Sweden.

- I need new energy in my career. Now it feels like the best solution is to continue to develop as a player elsewhere. I still cannot tell about my new club as it is not yet official. I still aim high, she says, and continues:

- From the first day, the club talked about long-term plans. Luleå's operations have changed the women's hockey in Europe. They have pushed the women's hockey forward and in a more professional direction. It is so important, what they have done. Hopefully, in the future, damask hockey players can focus on playing without any extra jobs.

"Hard to forget"

Karvinen is also looking forward to more successes in the Finnish national team. This spring there was no World Cup and the team thus received no revenge from the blatant final loss to the USA 2019.

- The end of the World Cup final is hard to forget, but you can use it as a source of motivation. Everyone knows we can do something big. We want to be the best and we will prove it.