Women's ice hockey in Finland
Encyclopedia
Women's Ice Hockey in Finland has 2 593 players in 2005 and 4 694 in 2011 .The Jääkiekon naisten SM-sarja (Finnish national Women's league ) is the league elite of Women's ice Hockey. This league is organized by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association
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decided to invest in development of the Women's ice hockey by supporting leagues. The number of teams considerably increased: There are now 12 teams in the Women's 1st Division NAISTEN I-DIVISIOONA ( second level after the Finnish National Women's league).
Finnish Ice Hockey Association
The Finnish Ice Hockey Association is the governing body of ice hockey in Finland. In 1927, the Finnish Skating Association introduced ice hockey as part of its program and through that organization, Finland joined the International Ice Hockey Federation in 1928. The Finnish Ice Hockey Association...
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History
The first league was created in 1982–1983. Several teams of this first Finnish Women's League was established in the beginning of 1970s. However, it was necessary for a long time before the hockey at the women to spread widely in the country. In 1978, the tournament of lipstick became a kind of "unofficial" national Women's championship during some years. Finally in 1982-83 began a series of efforts with the new league Jääkiekon naisten SM-sarja. The first season was played in two division of five teams each (10 teams). The first Playoffs was played at Tampere on March 12th and 13th, 1983. For period 2004-2005, the number of teams was reduced for 6, until it was widened in 2008 for 8 and 9 in 2010.Current Teams 2010-11
| Team | City |
| Espoo Blues Espoo Blues The Blues are an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Espoo, Finland at the Barona Areena.-Team history:The club was established in February 1984 as Kiekko-Espoo and played their first season in 1984-1985 in the Finnish Second Division... |
Espoo Espoo Espoo is the second largest city and municipality in Finland. The population of the city of Espoo is . It is part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area along with the cities of Helsinki, Vantaa, and Kauniainen. Espoo shares its eastern border with Helsinki and Vantaa, while enclosing Kauniainen.... |
| Hämeenlinnan Pallokerho | Hämeenlinna Hämeenlinna Hämeenlinna is a city and municipality of about inhabitants in the heart of the historical province of Häme in the south of Finland and is the birthplace of composer Jean Sibelius. Today, it belongs to the region of Tavastia Proper, and until 2010 it was the residence city for the Governor of the... |
| JYP | Jyvaskyla Jyväskylä Jyväskylä is the capital of Central Finland and the largest city on the Finnish Lakeland, north-east of Tampere and north of Helsinki, on northern coast of lake Päijänne. The city has been continuously one of the most rapidly growing cities in Finland since World War II. The city is surrounded... |
| Kalevan Pallo | Kuopia |
| Lohjan Kisa-Veikot | Lohja Lohja Lohja , is a town and municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Southern Finland and is part of the Uusimaa region. The town has a population of and covers an area of ofwhich is water... |
| Oriflame Team | Kuortane Kuortane Kuortane is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Southern Ostrobothnia region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water... |
| Oulun Kärpät | Oulu Oulu Oulu is a city and municipality of inhabitants in the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, in Finland. It is the most populous city in Northern Finland and the sixth most populous city in the country. It is one of the northernmost larger cities in the world.... |
| Salo HT | Salo Salò Salò is a town and commune in the Province of Brescia in the region of Lombardy on the banks of Lake Garda. The city was the capital of Italian Social Republic from 1943 to 1945, with the ISR often being called the "Republic of Salò" .-History:Salò was founded in the Roman period as Pagus... |
| Tampereen Ilves (jääkiekko) | Tampere Tampere Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It is the most populous inland city in any of the Nordic countries. The city has a population of , growing to approximately 300,000 people in the conurbation and over 340,000 in the metropolitan area. Tampere is the third most-populous municipality in... |
Championships
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Espoo Blues The Blues are an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Espoo, Finland at the Barona Areena.-Team history:The club was established in February 1984 as Kiekko-Espoo and played their first season in 1984-1985 in the Finnish Second Division... Espoo Blues The Blues are an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Espoo, Finland at the Barona Areena.-Team history:The club was established in February 1984 as Kiekko-Espoo and played their first season in 1984-1985 in the Finnish Second Division... Espoo Blues The Blues are an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Espoo, Finland at the Barona Areena.-Team history:The club was established in February 1984 as Kiekko-Espoo and played their first season in 1984-1985 in the Finnish Second Division... Espoo Blues The Blues are an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Espoo, Finland at the Barona Areena.-Team history:The club was established in February 1984 as Kiekko-Espoo and played their first season in 1984-1985 in the Finnish Second Division... Espoo Blues The Blues are an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Espoo, Finland at the Barona Areena.-Team history:The club was established in February 1984 as Kiekko-Espoo and played their first season in 1984-1985 in the Finnish Second Division... Espoo Blues The Blues are an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Espoo, Finland at the Barona Areena.-Team history:The club was established in February 1984 as Kiekko-Espoo and played their first season in 1984-1985 in the Finnish Second Division... Espoo Blues The Blues are an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Espoo, Finland at the Barona Areena.-Team history:The club was established in February 1984 as Kiekko-Espoo and played their first season in 1984-1985 in the Finnish Second Division... Espoo Blues The Blues are an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Espoo, Finland at the Barona Areena.-Team history:The club was established in February 1984 as Kiekko-Espoo and played their first season in 1984-1985 in the Finnish Second Division... Espoo Blues The Blues are an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Espoo, Finland at the Barona Areena.-Team history:The club was established in February 1984 as Kiekko-Espoo and played their first season in 1984-1985 in the Finnish Second Division... Espoo Blues The Blues are an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Espoo, Finland at the Barona Areena.-Team history:The club was established in February 1984 as Kiekko-Espoo and played their first season in 1984-1985 in the Finnish Second Division... |
Developmental league
The number of young women in junior level increased slowly, at the beginning of 500 players to approximately 2000 today. The growth rate was not satisfactory at the woman's Ice hockey. Consequently, the Finnish Ice Hockey AssociationFinnish Ice Hockey Association
The Finnish Ice Hockey Association is the governing body of ice hockey in Finland. In 1927, the Finnish Skating Association introduced ice hockey as part of its program and through that organization, Finland joined the International Ice Hockey Federation in 1928. The Finnish Ice Hockey Association...
decided to invest in development of the Women's ice hockey by supporting leagues. The number of teams considerably increased: There are now 12 teams in the Women's 1st Division NAISTEN I-DIVISIOONA ( second level after the Finnish National Women's league).
Lohko 1
| Team | City |
| HPK | Hameenlinna Hämeenlinna Hämeenlinna is a city and municipality of about inhabitants in the heart of the historical province of Häme in the south of Finland and is the birthplace of composer Jean Sibelius. Today, it belongs to the region of Tavastia Proper, and until 2010 it was the residence city for the Governor of the... |
| ILVES | Tampere Tampere Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It is the most populous inland city in any of the Nordic countries. The city has a population of , growing to approximately 300,000 people in the conurbation and over 340,000 in the metropolitan area. Tampere is the third most-populous municipality in... |
| REIPAS | Lahti Lahti Lahti is a city and municipality in Finland.Lahti is the capital of the Päijänne Tavastia region. It is situated on a bay at the southern end of lake Vesijärvi about north-east of the capital Helsinki... |
| MARSKI-HOCKEY | Mikkeli Mikkeli Mikkeli is a town and municipality in Finland. It is located in what used to be the province of Eastern Finland and is part of the Southern Savonia region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water... |
| SAIPA | Lappeenranta Lappeenranta Lappeenranta is a city and municipality that resides on the shore of the lake Saimaa in South-Eastern Finland, about from the Russian border. It belongs to the region of South Karelia. With approximately inhabitants Lappeenranta is the largest city in Finland... |
| ASSAT | Pori Pori Pori is a city and municipality on the west coast of Finland. The city is located some from the Gulf of Bothnia, on the estuary of the Kokemäenjoki river, which is the largest in Finland. Pori is the most important town in the Satakunta region.... |
Lohko 2
| Team | City |
| EPS | Espoo Espoo Espoo is the second largest city and municipality in Finland. The population of the city of Espoo is . It is part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area along with the cities of Helsinki, Vantaa, and Kauniainen. Espoo shares its eastern border with Helsinki and Vantaa, while enclosing Kauniainen.... |
| HG-92 | Tuusula Tuusula Tuusula is a municipality of Finland. It belongs to the Helsinki sub-region of the Uusimaa region. The municipality has a population of .-Geography:... |
| K-KISSAT | Vantaa Vantaa Vantaa is a city and municipality in Finland. Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen make up the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.Vantaa, with its population of , is the fourth most populated city of Finland. The biggest airport in Finland, the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is located there... |
| PAKA | Kuusamo Kuusamo Kuusamo is a town and municipality in Finland. It is located in the Oulu province and is part of the Northern Ostrobothnia region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is .... |
| SPORT | Vaasa Vaasa Vaasa is a city on the west coast of Finland. It received its charter in 1606, during the reign of Charles IX of Sweden and is named after the Royal House of Vasa... |
| TAPPARA | Tampere Tampere Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It is the most populous inland city in any of the Nordic countries. The city has a population of , growing to approximately 300,000 people in the conurbation and over 340,000 in the metropolitan area. Tampere is the third most-populous municipality in... |
Tournaments
The following IIHF tournaments were hosted in Finland.| Event | Location | Finish |
| 1992 IIHF Women's World Championship | Tampere Tampere Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It is the most populous inland city in any of the Nordic countries. The city has a population of , growing to approximately 300,000 people in the conurbation and over 340,000 in the metropolitan area. Tampere is the third most-populous municipality in... |
Bronze |
| 1998 Four Nations Cup | Kuortane Kuortane Kuortane is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Southern Ostrobothnia region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water... |
Bronze |
| 1999 IIHF Women's World Championship | Espoo Espoo Espoo is the second largest city and municipality in Finland. The population of the city of Espoo is . It is part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area along with the cities of Helsinki, Vantaa, and Kauniainen. Espoo shares its eastern border with Helsinki and Vantaa, while enclosing Kauniainen.... |
Bronze |
| 2001 Four Nations Cup | Vierumäki Vierumäki Vierumäki is a village located in the Finnish municipality Heinola in the region Päijänne Tavastia, Province of Southern Finland. It is known for hosting international ice hall sports events.-Curling:... and Tampere Tampere Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It is the most populous inland city in any of the Nordic countries. The city has a population of , growing to approximately 300,000 people in the conurbation and over 340,000 in the metropolitan area. Tampere is the third most-populous municipality in... |
Silver |
| 2005 Four Nations Cup | Hämeenlinna Hämeenlinna Hämeenlinna is a city and municipality of about inhabitants in the heart of the historical province of Häme in the south of Finland and is the birthplace of composer Jean Sibelius. Today, it belongs to the region of Tavastia Proper, and until 2010 it was the residence city for the Governor of the... |
Bronze |
| 2008–2009 IIHF European Women's Champions Cup IIHF European Women's Champions Cup IIHF European Women's Champions Cup is an European competition of Women's Ice Hockey clubs, organized annually by International Ice Hockey Federation . The current format of this competition includes two phases of groups followed by a playoff for four teams.-History:The competition was created... |
Lohja Lohja Lohja , is a town and municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Southern Finland and is part of the Uusimaa region. The town has a population of and covers an area of ofwhich is water... |
Espoo Blues Espoo Blues The Blues are an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Espoo, Finland at the Barona Areena.-Team history:The club was established in February 1984 as Kiekko-Espoo and played their first season in 1984-1985 in the Finnish Second Division... Bronze |
| 2009 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships 2009 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships -Group B:All times are local .-Group C:All times are local .-Group D :All times are local . and advance to the final... |
Hämeenlinna Hämeenlinna Hämeenlinna is a city and municipality of about inhabitants in the heart of the historical province of Häme in the south of Finland and is the birthplace of composer Jean Sibelius. Today, it belongs to the region of Tavastia Proper, and until 2010 it was the residence city for the Governor of the... |
Bronze |
| 2009 Four Nations Cup | Vierumäki Vierumäki Vierumäki is a village located in the Finnish municipality Heinola in the region Päijänne Tavastia, Province of Southern Finland. It is known for hosting international ice hall sports events.-Curling:... |
Fourth |
IIHF Worlds
- Riikka Nieminen is Finland’s all-time leader with 41 points (23 goals, 18 assists). She participated in four IIHF Worlds. She led two World Championships (1994 and 1997) in scoring. Her 41 points ranks seventh all-time in World Championship scoring. She appeared in 118 games for Finland, scoring 109 goals, 95 assists and 204 points.
- Tiia Reima ranks second all-time with 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) and participated in six tournaments. Her 20 assists is the Finnish career mark for most assists in World Championship play.She earned five bronze medals at the '90, '92, '94, '97 and '99 World Championships.
Olympics
- Riikka Nieminen ranks as the all time leading Olympic scorer for Finland. She was the top point producer at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games.
Famous firsts
- 1983: The official start of a women's league in Finland.
- 1989: The Finnish Women's National Team win the first Women’s European Championships.
- 1990: Finland claims the bronze in the first IIHF Women’s World Championships.
- May 21, 2010: Riikka NieminenRiikka NieminenRiikka Nieminen-Välilä is a retired Finnish female ice hockey player. She played on the Finnish women's national team most notably appearing at the 1998 Winter Olympics and the 2002 Olympics winning a bronze medal during the 1998 games...
was inducted into the IIHF Hall of FameIIHF Hall of FameThe IIHF Hall of Fame is a hall of fame which was established by the International Ice Hockey Federation in 1997, when 30 individuals were inducted at the world championships in Helsinki...
on 21 May 2010 in Cologne, Germany, as part of the World ChampionshipIce Hockey World ChampionshipsThe Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
festivities. She was only the fourth woman to receive this honor and the first from Finland.
Finnish women in NCAA
| Position | Name | NCAA school | Seasons |
| G | align="left" | | Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey The Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s ice hockey team plays for the University of Minnesota at the Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis. The team is one of the members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association in Division I... |
2009-present |
| D | Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs women's ice hockey | ||
| F | Minnesota State–Mankato Mavericks women's ice hockey | 2007-present | |
| F | Ohio State Buckeyes women's ice hockey Ohio State Buckeyes women's ice hockey The Ohio State Buckeyes women’s ice hockey team represents Ohio State University in NCAA Division I competition in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The team plays homegames at OSU Ice Rink, located on the Ohio State campus in Columbus, Ohio.-History:... |
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| F | Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs women's ice hockey | ||
Links
This page was written with a translation of Jääkiekon naisten SM-sarja on Finnish WikipediaSee also
- Finland women's national ice hockey team
- 2009–10 Finland women's national ice hockey team
- Finland women's national U-18 ice hockey teamFinland women's national U-18 ice hockey teamThe Finnish women's national under 18 ice hockey team is the national under-18 ice hockey team in Finland. The team represents Finland at the International Ice Hockey Federation's IIHF World Women's U18 Championships.-World Women's U18 Championship record:...