Tappara, Finland’s leading professional ice hockey team, has entered a partnership with HUR, a Finnish company based in Kokkola specializing in pneumatic resistance training equipment. The collaboration brings cutting-edge technology to the Tappara Performance HUB, where HUR’s systems are used to enhance strength training, monitor performance, and support injury rehabilitation.
HUR’s innovative equipment allows athletes to perform precise, controlled resistance exercises, adapting to individual needs and recovery stages. This enables Tappara’s coaching and medical staff to tailor training programs, optimize athletic performance, and reduce the risk of injuries. The integration of data-driven analytics also provides real-time feedback on strength, range of motion and power, giving players and trainers actionable insights to track progress and adjust routines.
Tappara, Finland’s most successful ice hockey club, is integrating HUR’s pneumatic resistance technology to enhance strength, power, and rehabilitation programs.
Leading the Way in Finnish Ice Hockey
Founded in 1955, Tappara is one of Finland’s most successful ice hockey clubs, boasting more than 20 national championships. Competing in Liiga, the country’s top league, the club is recognized not only for its on-ice success but also for its dedication to developing elite players through innovative training and research-based programs.
The Tappara Performance HUB serves as the club’s center for athlete development, combining expert coaching, state-of-the-art technology, and scientific research. The HUB enables individualized, data-driven programs for players ranging from juniors to professionals, ensuring peak performance and long-term development.
Ville Nieminen – Stanley Cup winner and current Tappara coach – first used HUR’s pneumatic equipment in the 1990s.
Tappara Performance HUB: Advancing Excellence
The HUB operates around five core pillars: coaching, monitoring, technology, research, and education. By integrating HUR equipment, Tappara can enhance strength, power, and rehabilitation programs while tracking performance metrics to make informed decisions on training and recovery.
- Coaching – Personalized training programs supported by experienced coaches and former elite players.
- Monitoring – Systematic tracking of physical and performance metrics, including speed, strength, endurance, and recovery.
- Technology – Integration of state-of-the-art equipment, such as HUR’s pneumatic resistance machines, to ensure safe and effective training.
- Research – Conducting scientific studies to advance understanding of hockey performance and inform best practices.
- Education – Providing training and development opportunities for coaches and staff to enhance expertise.
With HUR, resistance stays constant throughout the movement, removing the “slack moment,” says Tappara player Jesper Mattila.
Integrating HUR Technology
HUR strength training equipment features Natural Transmission™, an alternative training method that mimics the muscles’ natural movement patterns, making strength training both safe and effective. This technology supports strength, power, and rehabilitation programs while offering precise performance monitoring — making it ideal for both developing players and professionals.
At the HUB, the equipment is incorporated into daily routines to measure and enhance speed and power capabilities. According to Marko Haverinen, Head of Physical Coaching at Tappara:
Unlike many traditional free-weight movements, HUR technology makes it possible to generate force explosively throughout the full range of motion. HUR’s pneumatic technology provides an excellent opportunity for coaching and performance monitoring.
Ville Nieminen – Stanley Cup winner and current coach of Tappara Team, explains:
My first experience with HUR dates back to the 1990s, when I first used these pneumatic machines. HUR’s pneumatic technology is an excellent option for ice hockey players, since building a strong player requires both eccentric and isometric strength and capacity — qualities that can be effectively developed and transferred to performance on the ice.
HUR’s CEO Mats Manderbacka Introducing the Factory and Manufacturing Process
Setting New Standards in Hockey Development
Tappara’s partnership with HUR reflects the club’s ongoing commitment to innovation in player development. By combining elite coaching, scientific insight, and cutting-edge technology, the Tappara Performance HUB continues to set new standards in hockey training. The HUB not only advances individual player performance — enhancing strength, speed, and recovery — but also fosters a culture of excellence that elevates the entire team.
Through data-driven training, personalized programs, and continuous performance monitoring, Tappara ensures that every athlete reaches their full potential. This holistic approach contributes to the overall growth and competitiveness of Finnish ice hockey, inspiring the next generation of players and setting a benchmark for professional hockey development worldwide.
By combining elite coaching, scientific insight, and cutting-edge technology, the Tappara Performance HUB continues to set new standards in hockey training.