Untold: The Jokinen Family story

[Ahma 1,430]

VHL Untold: The Jokinen Family Story

 

Taavetti Jokinen was born into the prominent Jokinen ice hockey family. He comes from a long line of VHL hockey players, and with this comes high expectations. The Jokinen VHL family is widely known as loyal defensemen of the HC Davos Dynamo, which goes back generations of family members.

 

Who is Taavetti’s family? Excellent question you never knew you wanted the answer to. His father is none other than Fernando Jokinen. Taavetti was born in Davos, Switzerland, to two great Finnish hockey players, Fernando and Elisa Jokinen. Taavetti is the younger brother of David Jokinen, who is currently playing his last season in the VHL.

Fun fact: Taavetti is the Finnish version of the English name, David.

 

The Jokinen family tree, from Isopappa to Taavetti.

 

BEGINNINGS

 

Chapter 1. Black and white

 

It all started when Jukka “Isopappa” Jokinen was reading a newspaper ad; it was an advertisement for the local small town hockey team. The ad had the contact information of the team manager and, most importantly, an image of the game called ice hockey. Isopappa was hooked. He traveled with his dear Martta to the rink and loaned some gear and went on ice. It was fantastic—a real thrill, he thought. But it didn’t last long. Isopappa wasn’t a young man anymore, so he fell and hurt his knee. Bam! His minutes-long career over. But that didn’t stop him. A natural leader, it turns out Isopappa was made to be a coach. He caught on to the tactical details of the game fast, and next thing you knew, he was the coach of the local team in two weeks.

 

Jukka Jokinen had a successful career as a coach in the Finnish lower leagues. After their son was born, Ville Jokinen, Isopappa started to focus on developing his son as an ice hockey player. Ville Jokinen didn’t turn out to be a big star as Isopappa had envisioned. Ville played hockey all throughout his life, but he was more successful as a businessman. Ville’s earnings eventually led him to Spain, where he continued to play ice hockey in the Spanish leagues. It was in Spain where he found the love of his life, the beautiful Spanish goddess, Esmeralda. Their marriage would give the VHL world their second Jokinen, Diego. Fabio was the first Jokinen. He paved the way for the rest. Fabio showed the family how to take over the hockey world, while Diego tied up the family to the HC Davos Dynamo franchise.

 

Chapter 2. The Two Cousins

 

A few years before Ville Jokinen was born, Martta and Jukka Jokinen had a second child, Katri. She would eventually give birth to Fabio Jokinen, who was born some years before Diego. You can read about Fabio here: https://vhlforum.com/topic/35997-claimedjokinen-bio/#comment-395692

 

Diego grew up in Spain, where the training environment for ice hockey isn’t optimal. As a young lad, he demanded to play and keep playing hockey, much to his father’s annoyance. Diego would prevail and make his way to the top of the hockey world. Strangely enough, through different paths of life, Diego and Fabio would end up playing in the illusive Victory Hockey League. Diego always viewed Fabio as a distant “big brother." Fabio inspired Diego a lot, despite the cousins not keeping in contact with each other that often.

Much like his father, Diego settled down in Spain after retirement from hockey. And very much like his father, Diego would also marry a Spanish lady, Sofia. The next Jokinen will be born from them.

 

Chapter 3. The Spanish Vacation

 

Alvaro Jokinen. He was the first Jokinen to play his whole career for the Purple (HC Davos Dynamo). From birth, Diego would be teaching Alvaro all he learned during his career and from Fabio. Unlike Diego himself, Alvaro had the chance to train in Finland in his youth. And train he did. Climbing his way up to Davos and the rafters of their legendary arena. Alvaro had the honor of having his Davos jersey retired.

 

One smoggy morning in Davos during the autumn, Alvaro Jokinen would end up meeting a curious woman in the bus station. This meeting would lead to Alvaro missing the team practice for the first and last time ever. Lucky for him, it was his last season with mere weeks left of the season. The team went easy on him. Stunned by this blond beauty, Alvaro and Daniela would hit it off instantly. They get married next summer, and their only child, Fernando Jokinen, is born.

 

THE GENERATION OF MYSTERIES

 

Chapter 4. Boring Ol’ Fernando

 

There isn’t much to be said about Fernando other than that he was a solid, hardworking, loyal, and all-around good guy to be around. He bled Purple, still does. He played through some tumultuous years in Davos. Fernando led an ordinary life aside from hockey. He married a Finnish ice hockey player, Elisa. Probably the most remarkable thing about Fernando is that he and Elisa have two children, David and Taavetti, who are both VHL players. Taavetti will be soon! David made history as a member of the Jokinen family; he won the elusive Continental Cup with Davos.

 

Chapter 5. The David Tavau Age Controversy

 

But Daniela was no ordinary woman with an ordinary past. She had been married... to another Jokinen and had a kid with him. This kid would go under the radar for his whole career, playing in the Swiss leagues. Only after turning 35 years of age, he would enter the VHL, and none other than the team in purple, Davos. David Tavau! Some say his loyalty and reverence to Davos proves he has some secret Jokinen blood in him.

 

When David Tavau entered the league, he claimed and proved he was, indeed, 25 years old. But that was a lie. Tavau is 10 years older in reality. He would later, after retirement, admit this shocking fact.

 

This huge revelation also explains perfectly WHY Tavau was a bad skater (he was old af) and why did he age so fast? Most armchair managers and other fans were concerned that he was suffering from some unknown illness. In the middle of his VHL career, after 5-6 seasons of play, he started to age faster and faster. During his later seasons, Tavau looked like he could be 50 years old? And, well, he was 45 at the end. So, basically 50. This makes it even more remarkable that he had such a fruitful and great career, in the end honored by the club for his years dedicated to the team. Tavau’s jersey was retired by Davos.

 

Chapter 6. Who was Simon Valmount?

 

But who? Could it be the forgotten Simon Valmount? The mystery man, with little to nothing known about him. He himself isn’t around to tell his story anymore. No one really knows where Simo Valmount is from. It is widely argued that the name Simon Valmount wasn’t his real name. He entered the league as a Finnish citizen, but even that isn’t known for a fact. Some say he is French, others say English, and some claim Canadian. Reportedly, Valmount had passports from 10 different countries. His accent was innocuous; no tells in any way where he could be from. His career ended in shortly; in a flash, no one expected it. There exists a news article where Valmount tells to the media that “I no longer have love for the game. It’s not fun anymore. I don’t enjoy it. So, I’m done.” Valmount told reporters.

 

But there are two facts supporting the claim that he was a secret Jokinen. First, he played for Davos. Second, according to some now-lost-papers he had the same agent as the current generations of Davos players! So, there is a link. These mysteries are yet to be uncovered, and no one knows what’s coming in the future... Stay tuned. Author’s note: I may write about this again. Give me another 6 years lol

 

Chapter 7. The Black Sheep of the Family

 

Erlantz Jokinen, the black sheep. The Jokinen family fully claims Erlantz the Erratic as one of their own, but his background is still a mystery. Erlantz had an amazing VHL career, a superbly talented player for sure, but who is he? Where is he from originally? Many questions with barely any answers. Erlantz was adopted when he was very, very young; this much is known, but by whom? Answer is most likely someone from the Fabio Jokinen’s side of the family. Fabio’s lineage of the Jokinen family has so far preferred to stay out of the public spotlight. But this doesn’t change the fact that Erlantz is fully fledged Jokinen and beloved by many.

 

Chapter 8. The One Who Made History

 

David Jokinen, the son of Fernando, made history on the 5^th of August 2023. The date when HC Davos Dynamo won the Continental Cup after years of cup draught. A day of celebration, no, weeks of celebration. It was Glorious. S89 VHL Champions. Forever etched in the history books. David captained the Dynamo to the victory.

The incredible Continental Cup wasn’t the only thing David Jokinen made history with. With the advancement of medical and training technologies and techniques, David played a nine-season career. This led him to over 1500 shots blocked over his career. 1513, to be exact; this is the most in VHL history and in Davos history. Time will tell when someone else breaks it. There are rumors circulating among HC Davos Dynamo about David’s jersey being retired, the team has not confirmed anything yet. After recently retiring, David Jokinen has retired to a peaceful home life in his home in the Swiss Alps of Davos. He hasn’t made any decisions yet on continuing working in ice hockey circles. Right now, it’s all about figuring out what he wants to do in life. Most importantly, family. Learning to be a father and family life without hockey and constant travel. And of course, occasionally giving some tips to his little brother, Taavetti.

 

Chapter 9. The Next Generation

 

Taavetti Jokinen, the son of Elisa and Fernando Jokinen, little brother of David Jokinen. With parents and family who are held in high regard in the VHL world and mostly, Davos, comes with high expectations. Will he be able to meet or even exceed them? Only time will tell. So far, Taavetti has looked a little bit shaky, but promising. During the past season, he played for the Las Vegas Aces, and the VHLM draft is coming up soon. The next season will be extremely crucial for Taavetti’s growth. He needs to prove he’s capable of stepping right up to the big leagues! Taavetti needs to earn and learn tremendously if he means to play for Davos after being drafted by them. And there it is, the unmentioned underlying issue, getting drafted to Davos. The Jokinen family player agency has and will continue to use every single action to get their players to Davos. By any means necessary, be it how drastic or not, it does not matter as long as the player goes to Davos.

 

Taavetti is a young defenseman, still learning the ways of the VHL. He has been taught by three ice hockey players, his immediate family. Elisa Jokinen is a famous Finnish ice hockey player in her own right. She has forged her own path in the women’s hockey world. Fernando and David are obvious role models for Taavetti. They have all been teaching him the secrets of hockey.

 

The Jokinen family is a well-known name in the VHL. They have had many successful and less successful players, and all of them are defensemen. Cut from the same cloth, cast in the same mold, so to speak. What might the most impressive thing about the Jokinen’s? Their unwavering loyalty and consistency. Always reliable and focused. The later generations of Jokinen’s have found their success, thanks to the early Jokinen’s making their names and paving the way for the young.

 

Jokinen family players:

Simon Valmount                           S45 – S49
https://vhlportal.com/players/playerfocus/7193

Fabio Jokinen                               S52 – S59
https://vhlportal.com/players/playerfocus/229

Diego Jokinen                              S55 – S59
https://vhlportal.com/players/playerfocus/234

Alvaro Jokinen                             S62 – S67
https://vhlportal.com/players/playerfocus/866

Fernando Jokinen                       S69 – S76
https://vhlportal.com/players/playerfocus/2151

David Tavau                                  S78 – S85
https://vhlportal.com/players/playerfocus/3839

Erlantz Jokinen                            S79 – S86
https://vhlportal.com/players/playerfocus/4023

David Jokinen                              S87 – S95
https://vhlportal.com/players/playerfocus/5618

Taavetti Jokinen                          S97 –
https://vhlportal.com/players/playerfocus/7410                   

 

@jRuutu

 

2044 words. 4 week claim.

[Ahma 1,430]

week 1.

[OrbitingDeath 3,198]

hey man, sorry for your loss for all of your players being born in this disfunctional family. Thatd crush any mans dreams. stay strong buddy!

[jRuutu 2,466]

Great article! We shall see many more chapters in the Jokinen story

[Ahma 1,430]

3 minutes ago, jRuutu said:

Great article! We shall see many more chapters in the Jokinen story

This is just beginning... the Jokinen multiverse is ever growing!

[Thunder 1,168]

Glad to see that its not one branch!!

[Victor 10,947]

Daniela Tavau loved herself some Jokinen.

[Ahma 1,430]

18 minutes ago, Victor said:

Daniela Tavau loved herself some Jokinen.

let's not get into the dirty little irrelevant details

 

she had a type for sure

[Ahma 1,430]

week 2

[Ahma 1,430]

week 3

[animal74 1,820]

Simon Valmount is part of this? You must be jokinen!

 

Love the article!

[Ahma 1,430]

58 minutes ago, animal74 said:

Simon Valmount is part of this? You must be jokinen!

 

Love the article!

Hahaha thanks

 

I figured I gotta get all of my players involved

[Ahma 1,430]

week 4