In today's world, Finland women's national ice hockey team has become a topic of increasing interest and debate for people of all ages and walks of life. Whether it is its impact on society, its relevance in popular culture or its influence on everyday life, Finland women's national ice hockey team has captured the attention of millions of people around the world. From its origins to its current evolution, Finland women's national ice hockey team has left an indelible mark on the modern world, and it is crucial to understand its importance in the current context. In this article, we will explore the various facets of Finland women's national ice hockey team and examine its impact on today's society.
Nickname(s) | Naisleijonat ('Lady Lions') |
---|---|
Association | Finnish Ice Hockey Association |
Head coach | Juuso Touvila |
Assistants | Saara Niemi Mikko Palsola |
Captain | Jenni Hiirikoski |
Most games | Karoliina Rantamäki (431) |
Top scorer | Riikka Sallinen (138) |
Most points | Riikka Sallinen (351) |
Team colors | |
IIHF code | FIN |
Ranking | |
Current IIHF | 4 1 (28 August 2023) |
Highest IIHF | 3 (first in 2003) |
Lowest IIHF | 4 (first in 2006) |
First international | |
Finland 6–0 Norway (Copenhagen, Denmark; 26 December 1988) | |
Biggest win | |
Finland 34–0 Czechoslovakia (Düsseldorf, West Germany; 4 April 1989) | |
Biggest defeat | |
Canada 15–0 Finland (St. John's, Canada; 12 November 2010) | |
World Championships | |
Appearances | 24 (first in 1990) |
Best result | Silver: (2019) |
European Championships | |
Appearances | 5 (first in 1989) |
Best result | Gold: (1989, 1991, 1993, 1995) |
Olympics | |
Appearances | 7 (first in 1998) |
Medals | Bronze (1998, 2010, 2018, 2022) |
International record (W–L–T) | |
356–251–13 |
The Finnish women's national ice hockey team represents Finland at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women's World Championships, the Olympic Games, the Four Nations Cup, and other international-level women's ice hockey competitions. The women's national team is overseen by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association and its general manager is Tuula Puputti. Finland's national women's program is ranked third in the world by the IIHF and had 5,858 active players as of 2019.
Finland has finished third or fourth in almost every World Championships and Olympics, with one exception being a fifth place finish at the 2014 Winter Olympics and second place at the 2019 World Championship. They are ranked behind Canada (#2) and the United States (#1). Historically, Finland's primary rival was Sweden, which finished second to Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Finland finished fourth, losing the game for the bronze medal to the United States. Finland defeated the United States for the first time, at the 2008 World Championship in China, 1–0 in overtime. Finland defeated Canada 4–3 for the first time at the 2017 World Championship in the United States. However, Finland lost the semi-final game against Canada in the same tournament, proceeding to win the bronze medal game.
At the 2019 World Championship, Finland reached the championship final for the first time in tournament history after beating Canada 4–2 in the semi-final. During the gold medal game, Petra Nieminen scored in overtime but her goal was overturned after a video review for goalie interference. The IIHF released a press statement the next day citing rules 186 and 183ii as the reasons for overturning the goal. Finland finished as runners-up and won a silver medal after losing to the United States in a shootout.
Games | Finish |
---|---|
1998 Nagano | Bronze |
2002 Salt Lake City | 4th |
2006 Turin | 4th |
2010 Vancouver | Bronze |
2014 Sochi | 5th |
2018 Pyeongchang | Bronze |
2022 Beijing | Bronze |
2026 Milan / Cortina |
Breaks indicate Olympic years.
Year | Location | Result |
---|---|---|
1990 | Ottawa | Bronze |
1992 | Tampere | Bronze |
1994 | Lake Placid | Bronze |
1997 | Ontario | Bronze |
1999 | Espoo | Bronze |
2000 | Ontario | Bronze |
2001 | Minnesota | 4th |
2003 | Beijing | Cancelled |
2004 | Halifax and Dartmouth | Bronze |
2005 | Linköping and Norrköping | 4th |
2007 | Winnipeg and Selkirk | 4th |
2008 | Harbin | Bronze |
2009 | Hämeenlinna | Bronze |
2011 | Zürich | Bronze |
2012 | Burlington | 4th |
2013 | Ottawa | 4th |
2015 | Malmö | Bronze |
2016 | Kamloops | 4th |
2017 | Plymouth | Bronze |
2019 | Espoo | Silver |
2020 | Halifax and Truro | Cancelled |
2021 | Calgary | Bronze |
2022 | Frederikshavn and Herning | 6th |
2023 | Brampton | 5th |
2024 | Utica, New York | Bronze |
2025 | České Budějovice |
Year | Location | Result |
---|---|---|
1989 | Füssen, Landsberg am Lech and Kaufbeuren | Gold |
1991 | Frýdek-Místek, Havířov | Gold |
1993 | Esbjerg | Gold |
1995 | Riga | Gold |
1996 | Yaroslavl | Bronze |
Formerly known as the Air Canada Cup, the MLP Nations Cup and the Meco Cup.
Roster for the 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship.
Head coach: Juuso Toivola
No. | Pos. | Name | Height | Weight | Birthdate | Team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | G | Sanni Ahola | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) | 81 kg (179 lb) | 3 June 2000 | St. Cloud State Huskies |
5 | D | Siiri Yrjölä | 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) | 68 kg (150 lb) | 8 September 2004 | HIFK Helsinki |
6 | D | Jenni Hiirikoski – C | 1.62 m (5 ft 4 in) | 62 kg (137 lb) | 30 March 1987 | Luleå HF |
7 | D | Sanni Rantala | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | 63 kg (139 lb) | 8 July 2002 | KalPa Kuopio |
8 | D | Eve Savander | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | 68 kg (150 lb) | 2 September 1998 | MoDo Hockey |
9 | D | Nelli Laitinen | 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) | 62 kg (137 lb) | 29 April 2002 | Minnesota Golden Gophers |
10 | F | Elisa Holopainen | 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) | 58 kg (128 lb) | 27 December 2001 | KalPa Kuopio |
12 | F | Sanni Vanhanen | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | 62 kg (137 lb) | 1 July 2005 | HIFK Helsinki |
14 | D | Krista Parkkonen | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | 64 kg (141 lb) | 25 June 2002 | Vermont Catamounts |
16 | F | Petra Nieminen | 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) | 70 kg (150 lb) | 4 May 1999 | Luleå HF |
20 | F | Anna-Kaisa Antti-Roiko | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | 62 kg (137 lb) | 21 May 2004 | Kärpät Oulu |
22 | F | Julia Schalin | 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) | 60 kg (130 lb) | 31 August 2005 | Kiekko-Espoo |
24 | F | Viivi Vainikka | 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) | 67 kg (148 lb) | 23 December 2001 | Luleå HF |
28 | F | Jenniina Nylund | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) | 63 kg (139 lb) | 18 June 1999 | Brynäs IF |
31 | G | Tiia Pajarinen | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) | 69 kg (152 lb) | 17 April 1998 | Kiekko-Espoo |
32 | F | Emilia Vesa | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) | 66 kg (146 lb) | 3 January 2001 | Frölunda HC |
33 | F | Michelle Karvinen – A | 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) | 65 kg (143 lb) | 27 March 1990 | Frölunda HC |
34 | F | Sofianna Sundelin | 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) | 57 kg (126 lb) | 13 January 2003 | St. Cloud State Huskies |
36 | G | Anni Keisala | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | 80 kg (180 lb) | 5 April 1997 | HV71 |
40 | F | Noora Tulus – A | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) | 62 kg (137 lb) | 15 August 1995 | Luleå HF |
77 | F | Susanna Tapani | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) | 68 kg (150 lb) | 2 March 1993 | PWHL Boston |
88 | D | Ronja Savolainen | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) | 76 kg (168 lb) | 29 November 1997 | Luleå HF |
91 | F | Julia Liikala | 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) | 64 kg (141 lb) | 20 March 2001 | HIFK Helsinki |