Tuesday, 30. September 2025 |
EHC Red Bull München: “Who are you?” with Ville Pokka – player profile
He arrived, saw, and was immediately in the spotlight: after just one training session with the Red Bulls, Ville Pokka scored two goals in his first appearance in a Munich jersey on the first DEL match day of the current season against the Kölner Haie – and he did so in quick succession, with less than five minutes between the two assists. Pokka thus became one of the match winners in the 4-2 victory in Cologne.
Highlights: Kölner Haie vs. EHC Red Bull München (12.09.2025)
// DEL - HIGHLIGHTS
“It's not difficult for me to adapt,” revealed the Finn. “I'm a smart player and don't think about it. It's just ice hockey, no matter where you go. I just wanted to have fun and enjoy the first game,” he said in retrospect. Pokka has since even scored his first goal for us.
The 31-year-old scored in the 6-3 derby win against the Augsburger Panther. “I think I'm a complete defenseman who can play on the power play and shorthanded,” he said of himself. Munich fans have already seen that for themselves.
4:1 | Torpremiere für Ville Pokka nur 14 Sekunden später
// IN-GAME-VIDEO
Pro in six top leagues
The right-handed shooter, who names former Finnish NHL defenseman Teppo Numminen as his role model, has now recorded at least one point in six professional leagues. Pokka has played in the North American AHL as well as in the top leagues in Finland, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland during his career.
The decision to come to Munich and join the PENNY DEL in September this year was an easy one. “I talked to Christian Winkler and Oliver David about my role in the team and what the Red Bulls have planned. And of course, the SAP Garden is incredible,” he enthused. “I want to become an important part of the team and play a lot,” is his goal.
Two championship titles, world champion and Olympic champion
And Pokka knows all too well how to win titles. The defensive player won the Finnish championship with Oulun Kärpät in 2014 and the Gagarin Cup in the Russian KHL with Avangard Omsk in 2021. “It was the first title for that city, we had a good and vocal fan base. I enjoyed playing there,” Pokka said of his time in Russia.
Episode 11 - „Wer bist denn du?“ mit Ville Pokka
// PORTRÄT
At international level, our new signing already has the two most important trophies in his cabinet. In February 2022, Pokka won Olympic gold with Finland, even scoring the equalizer in the 2-1 final victory over Russia. Just three months later, he added the World Championship title in his home country in Tampere.
“That was probably the best moment of my career so far, in front of all the fans and my family. The whole city went crazy. Winning the Olympics was also very cool, but unfortunately there were hardly any fans there,” he recalls. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, only local spectators were allowed to attend at the time.
Pokka close to the NHL
However, he has not managed to win the Stanley Cup in the NHL in his career. Pokka was drafted in the second round by the New York Islanders in 2012. He recalls: “That was a very special moment. I was with my family in Pittsburgh (where the draft took place) at the time. It was just a big show and it's exciting for every young player,” he looks back.
But despite strong statistics in the AHL, with the defenseman racking up 142 points in four seasons for the Rockford IceHogs and Belleville Senators, his dream of playing in the NHL did not come true. “I was allowed to participate in the warm-up three or four times, but unfortunately I never got to play. But I did everything I could,” says our new number 22. “Of course, the NHL was the big goal. But I'm still happy with my career,” he emphasizes. And rightly so.
“The best talent is the talent to work hard.”
Pokka owes the beginnings of his journey to this day to his father and brother, who also played ice hockey. “I think that's why I got into this sport,” he confirms. “I used to play football and bandy as well, but ice hockey was always the most important sport for me.” What started out as a hobby for fun became more and more of a focus over the years. “As I got older, I took the game more seriously. I wanted to become a professional,” says Pokka.
To achieve this, he has obviously found the perfect recipe. “When you're younger, you need talent. But when you grow up, you need determination. You have to work hard and always try to improve.” So the magic formula is: “The best talent is the talent to work hard,” he sums up.
When Pokka isn't on the ice, he likes to play golf, time permitting. “Otherwise, I like to spend time with my family and fiancée; we enjoy walking our dog,” he reveals. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities for that in Munich. For example, in the Olympic Park, the new home of the Finnish trophy hunter.
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