Ari Sulander

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Olympic medal record
Men's Ice Hockey
Bronze	Nagano 1998	Team Competition

Ari Sulander (born January 6, 1969 in Helsinki, Finland) is an ice hockey goaltender. He goes by the nickname Sulo.

[edit] Career in Finland

Sulander has played in Finnish SM-Liiga in Helsingin Jokerit for 9 Seasons (1989-1998), winning in the progress 4 Finnish Championships (1992, 1994, 1996 and 1997), 1 Silver (1995), 1 Bronze (1998) 2 European Championships (1995 and 1996) and 1 European Championship Bronze (93). Sulander started with Jokerit as a Junior and progressed through the team all the way to position of No. #1 Goalkeeper. During his Jokerit career Sulander played with some of the greatest SM-Liiga players of all-time like: Otakar Janecky, Teemu Selänne, Waltteri Immonen and Jari Kurri (Kurri played in Jokerit during the 1994-1995 NHL Lockout). During his 9 Year SM-Liiga career Sulander was coached by top coaches like: Hannu Aravirta and Boris Majorov.

[edit] Career in Switzerland

Sulander left Jokerit after winning Bronze in 1998 for a new challenge. Sulander's was the Swiss Elite League team: ZSC Lions. Since 1998 Sulander has played for ZSC Lions (Zürich) for 6 Seasons (99-current). Special about Sulander is that he succeeded in scoring a goal in Swiss Elite League game during 2002-2003 season. Sulander has won the Swiss Championship 2 times (2000 and 2001)

[edit] International career

Ari Sulander has played for Finland total of 117 Games (Dressed in 117, played: 68). Sulander played in 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 Ice Hockey World Championships and 1998 Winter Olympic Games. In the World Championships Sulander has won 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medals. Sulander also won Bronze in 1998 Winter Olympic and was a key player in the Bronze game against NHL starpowered Canada which was led by Wayne Gretzky and Patrick Roy. Besides 1998 Olympic tournament Sulander also played well in 1998 Ice Hockey World Championships.