Women's ice hockey in Finland

Women's Ice Hockey in Finland has 2 593 players in 2005[1] and 4 694 in 2011 [2].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.

Contents

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[3]. 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
Hämeenlinnan Pallokerho Hämeenlinna
JYP Jyvaskyla
Kalevan Pallo Kuopia
Lohjan Kisa-Veikot Lohja
Oriflame Team Kuortane
Oulun Kärpät Oulu
Salo HT Salo
Tampereen Ilves (jääkiekko) Tampere

Championships

  • 1983-84 Helsingin Jääkiekkoklubi HJK
  • 1984-85 Helsingin Jääkiekkoklubi HJK
  • 1985-86 Tampereen Ilves (jääkiekko)
  • 1986-87 Tampereen Ilves (jääkiekko)
  • 1987-88 Tampereen Ilves (jääkiekko)
  • 1988-89 Tampereen Ilves (jääkiekko)
  • 1989-90 Etelä-Vantaan Urheilijat EVU
  • 1990-91 Tampereen Ilves (jääkiekko)
  • 1991-92 Tampereen Ilves (jääkiekko)
  • 1992-93 Tampereen Ilves (jääkiekko)
  • 1993-94 Tampereen Ilves (jääkiekko)
  • 1994-95 Keravan Shakers
  • 1995-96 Keravan Shakers
  • 1996-97 Keravan Shakers

Developmental league

The number of young women in junior level increased slowly, at the beginning of 500 players to approximately 2000 today[4]. The growth rate was not satisfactory at the woman's Ice hockey. Consequently, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association decided to invest in development of the Women's ice hockey by supporting leagues[5]. 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
ILVES Tampere
REIPAS Lahti
MARSKI-HOCKEY Mikkeli
SAIPA Lappeenranta
ASSAT Pori

Lohko 2

Team City
EPS Espoo
HG-92 Tuusula
K-KISSAT Vantaa
PAKA Kuusamo
SPORT Vaasa
TAPPARA Tampere

Tournaments

The following IIHF tournaments were hosted in Finland.

Event Location Finish
1992 IIHF Women's World Championship Tampere Bronze[6]
1998 Four Nations Cup Kuortane Bronze
1999 IIHF Women's World Championship Espoo Bronze
2001 Four Nations Cup Vierumäki and Tampere Silver
2005 Four Nations Cup Hämeenlinna Bronze
2008–2009 IIHF European Women's Champions Cup Lohja Espoo Blues Bronze
2009 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships Hämeenlinna Bronze[7]
2009 Four Nations Cup Vierumäki Fourth

Leading scorers

IIHF Worlds

Olympics

Famous firsts

Finnish women in NCAA

Position Name NCAA school Seasons
G Raty, NooraNoora Räty Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey 2009-present
D Posa, MariiaMariia Posa Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs women's ice hockey
F Tikkinen, NinaNina Tikkinen Minnesota State–Mankato Mavericks women's ice hockey 2007-present
F Tuominen, MinnamariMinnamari Tuominen Ohio State Buckeyes women's ice hockey
F Tuominen, SaaraSaara Tuominen Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs women's ice hockey

References

  1. ^ Source in Suomen naisten jääkiekkomaajoukkuem http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suomen_naisten_jääkiekkomaajoukkue
  2. ^ http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/countries/finland.html
  3. ^ In http://www.whockey.com/country/finland
  4. ^ http://www.whockey.com/country/finland/history.html
  5. ^ http://www.whockey.com/country/finland/history.html
  6. ^ Collins gem Hockey Facts and Stats 2009-10, p.540, Andrew Podnieks, Harper Collins Publishers Ltd, Toronto, Canada, ISBN 978-1-55468-621-6
  7. ^ Collins gem Hockey Facts and Stats 2009-10, p.540, Andrew Podnieks, Harper Collins Publishers Ltd, Toronto, Canada, ISBN 978-1-55468-621-6
  8. ^ "Notable Women Hockey Players". Hockey Hall of Fame. http://www.hhof.com/html/wmspla04.shtml. Retrieved 2011-01-14. 
  9. ^ "IIHF Hall of Fame inducts six new members". National Hockey League. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=510916. Retrieved 5 March 2010. 
  10. ^ "Timeline — Evolution Of Women's Hockey". Hockey Hall of Fame. http://www.hhof.com/html/wmspl01.shtml. Retrieved 2011-01-14. 
  11. ^ "Milestones of Finnish Ice Hockey: Years 1975 -". Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame. http://www.vapriikki.net/jaakiekkomuseo/milestones3.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-14. 

Links

This page was written with a translation of Jääkiekon naisten SM-sarja on Finnish Wikipedia

See also