FollowinTrend Live, updating
Norway1000+ searches

Juha Kaunismäki named new Oilers trener

Juha Kaunismäki has been appointed as the new head coach for the Stavanger Oilers following the departure of Anders Gjøse.

FollowinTrend Desk 1 min read AI-assisted
Young ice hockey players in uniforms sitting on the bench during a game, holding hockey sticks.
Photo: Ron Lach / Pexels Illustrative stock photo, not taken at the event.

Quick facts

  • Juha Kaunismäki signed his contract on October 1, 2026.
  • The contract for the head coach position runs through the end of the current season.
  • Anders Gjøse was released from his contract on September 25, 2026.

Why it matters

The search term 'trener' has spiked due to high-profile personnel changes within the Norwegian ice hockey community, specifically involving the Stavanger Oilers. This reflects the intense local interest in professional sports management and team performance. While the team has seen a recent boost in results, the long-term impact of this coaching transition remains to be seen throughout the remainder of the season.

What happened with the Oilers?

The Stavanger Oilers have officially appointed Juha Kaunismäki as their new head coach. The decision follows a period of transition for the team after the departure of former head coach Anders Gjøse.

Why is this trending?

Search interest for the term trener has spiked in Norway following the announcement. Kaunismäki, who had been serving as the interim coach, signed his contract during the first break of the match against Ringerike on Thursday, October 1, 2026. According to reports from Stavanger Aftenblad, his appointment is set to last through the remainder of the current ice hockey season.

What led to the change?

The coaching change follows a challenging start to the season for the Stavanger Oilers. Anders Gjøse was released from his contract on Friday, September 26, 2026, due to what was described as poor results. Since the change in leadership, the team showed immediate signs of improvement, including a home-ice victory against Storhamar on Saturday.

What happens next?

Kaunismäki is now tasked with leading the team for the duration of the season. Following the change, the team saw a notable performance in their recent match against Ringerike. The focus for the organization remains on stabilizing team results and progressing through the current ice hockey schedule.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the new Oilers trener?

Juha Kaunismäki is the new head coach for the Stavanger Oilers. He was appointed to the position on October 1, 2026, after serving as the interim coach following the departure of his predecessor.

How long is Kaunismäki's contract?

Juha Kaunismäki has signed a contract to serve as the head coach of the Stavanger Oilers through the end of the current ice hockey season.

Why did Anders Gjøse leave the team?

Anders Gjøse was released from his contract as head coach on September 25, 2026. The decision was attributed to the team's poor performance and results during the early stages of the ice hockey season.

When was the new coach announced?

The appointment of Juha Kaunismäki was confirmed on October 1, 2026. He signed his contract during the first intermission of the team's match against Ringerike that same day.

Has the team's performance changed?

The team experienced a positive result shortly after the coaching change, securing a victory against Storhamar on home ice last Saturday following the departure of the previous coach.

Is the term 'trener' only used in hockey?

No, 'trener' is the Norwegian word for coach or trainer. While currently trending due to ice hockey news, it is a general term used across all sports and fitness contexts in Norway.

In this story

Sources

Last checked Oct 3, 2026 at 9:45 AM. Trends move fast, so details may change. How we work

What did you think?

Comments