Mestis (from 'Mestaruussarja', 'Championship series'), is the second-highest ice hockey league in Finland.The league was established in 2000 to replace the first division. Since 2000, Mestis has been the highest hockey league in Finland that can be reached with playing merits only; the SM-liiga was closed (to teams being relegated or promoted) in 2000. After the 2004–05 season, KalPa was promoted to the SM-liiga, and the league was re-opened in the 2008–09 season.