The Finnish Hockey Players' Association announced a new agreement addressing player welfare for the first time. A key component of the deal involves a call for Liiga (Finnish top-tier hockey league) teams to cover the costs of players’ substance abuse and mental health treatments. Previously, such coverage was not explicitly addressed in player contracts. The agreement also included discussions regarding the number of pre-season exhibition games. This marks a significant step towards prioritizing the holistic health of professional hockey players in Finland. The association hopes this sets a precedent for improved player support systems within the league. Details of the agreement’s implementation are expected to be released soon.