Famous Finnish Ice Hockey Players

Tuukka Rask is a Finnish former professional ice hockey goaltender who played his entire 15-season NHL career with the Boston Bruins. He was consistently successful, winning the Stanley Cup as a backup in 2011 and leading the Bruins to the Finals in 2013 and 2019. Rask won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender in 2013–14 and was a finalist in 2019–20. He also holds multiple records for games played, wins, and save percentage with the Bruins. Rask is known for his hybrid goaltending style and exceptional performance in critical playoff games.

Teemu Selänne is a Finnish former professional ice hockey winger known as "the Finnish Flash." He played 21 seasons in the NHL for the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Colorado Avalanche. Selänne is the highest scoring Finn in NHL history, with 684 goals and 1,457 points. He holds various team scoring records and his jersey number 8 was retired by the Ducks. Selänne was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017.

Pekka Rinne is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender known for his successful career with the Nashville Predators in the NHL. He was drafted by the Predators in 2004 and went on to become their starting goaltender in the 2008–09 season. Rinne won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender in the 2017–18 season and was a finalist for the award multiple times. He holds various franchise and league records, including being the NHL's all-time wins leader among Finnish-born goaltenders. Rinne is also recognized for scoring a goal as a goaltender, a rare feat in the NHL.

Jari Kurri is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player known for his 17-season career in the NHL, playing right wing for teams like the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings. He was the first Finnish player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and won the Stanley Cup five times with the Oilers. Kurri also achieved recognition internationally, playing for the Finland men's national ice hockey team and being inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame. Currently, he serves as the general manager and owner of Jokerit.

Esa Tikkanen is a Finnish former professional ice hockey forward known for his successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for multiple teams including the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, and Washington Capitals. Throughout his career, Tikkanen won the Stanley Cup five times, achieving the prestigious honor in 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990 with the Oilers, as well as in 1994 with the Rangers. His contributions to the sport have cemented his legacy as a talented and accomplished player.

Saku Koivu is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player known for his successful career in the NHL. He started with the Montreal Canadiens in 1995 after playing in the Finnish SM-liiga. Koivu notably captained the Canadiens for ten years, setting a team record. He was the first European captain for the Canadiens and also led the Finnish national team. Koivu's contributions to hockey were recognized with his induction into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2017.

Mikael Granlund is a distinguished Finnish professional ice hockey centre playing for the San Jose Sharks in the NHL. He began his professional career in Finland with Oulun Kärpät and HIFK in the SM-liiga before making his mark in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild. Known for his exceptional skills and playmaking ability, Granlund was a top draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. His career highlights include representing Finland at international competitions and earning accolades for his standout performances on the ice.

Leo Komarov is a versatile professional ice hockey player known for his ability to play all three forward positions. Raised in Finland to an ethnic Russian-Finnish family from Estonia, Komarov has enjoyed a successful career playing for HIFK in the SM-liiga and representing Finland internationally. He made history as reportedly the first NHL player born in Estonia. Komarov's achievements include being part of the gold medal-winning Finnish teams in the 2011 IIHF World Championship and 2022 Winter Olympics.

Miikka Kiprusoff is a Finnish former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the NHL for the San Jose Sharks and Calgary Flames from 2000 to 2013. He started his career in Finland before moving to North America. Kiprusoff excelled with the Flames, setting records for lowest goals against average and winning the Vezina Trophy for best goaltender. He also represented Finland internationally, earning silver medals and a bronze at various tournaments. Kiprusoff is a respected figure in the hockey world, known for his skill and achievements.

Rasmus Ristolainen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL. He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres as the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Known for his physicality and defensive skills, Ristolainen has established himself as a reliable presence on the blue line. Throughout his career, he has garnered attention for his strong defensive play and ability to contribute offensively as well. Ristolainen continues to be a key player in the league.

Aleksander "Sasha" Barkov is a Finnish professional ice hockey centre and the captain of the Florida Panthers in the NHL. Known for his elite two-way play and defensive skills, he has won the Frank J. Selke Trophy multiple times. Barkov began his career with Tappara in Finland before joining the Panthers in 2013. Over the years, he has steadily improved his performance, setting records and leading the Panthers to multiple playoff appearances. In 2024, he captained the Panthers to their first Stanley Cup victory.

Kasperi Kapanen is a Finnish professional ice hockey right wing currently playing for the St. Louis Blues in the NHL. He began his career in the Finnish Liiga with KalPa during the 2012–13 season before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Kapanen has showcased his skill and talent on the ice, and notably played alongside his father, Sami Kapanen, in an SM-liiga game. His career highlights include making significant contributions to his teams and continuing to excel in professional hockey.

Kari Lehtonen is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender known for his 14-season career in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Atlanta Thrashers and Dallas Stars. He was selected second overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, making history as the highest-drafted European goaltender at the time. Throughout his career, Lehtonen established himself as a reliable and skilled goaltender, earning recognition for his contributions to both the Atlanta Thrashers and Dallas Stars franchises.

Olli Veli Pekka Jokinen is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player known for his extensive career in the NHL. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1997 and went on to play for various teams including the New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St. Louis Blues. Jokinen also had successful stints in European leagues before transitioning to the NHL full-time in 1998. He achieved notable milestones such as serving as captain for the Florida Panthers and participating in multiple international tournaments, earning medals at the Winter Olympics and World Championships.

Mikko Koivu, a Finnish former professional ice hockey player, was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He played four seasons in the SM-liiga before joining the Wild in 2005, where he spent fifteen seasons, eleven of them as captain. Throughout his career, Koivu set numerous franchise records in games played, assists, and points scored. After retiring in 2021, he briefly played for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Koivu also captained the Finnish national team to a gold medal at the 2011 World Championship.

Kimmo Timonen had a successful professional ice hockey career, playing as a defenseman in the NHL for 16 seasons with the Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, and Chicago Blackhawks. Over his career, he played in over 1,100 NHL games and participated in various international tournaments, including the IIHF World Junior Championships, IIHF World Championships, World Cups, and Olympic tournaments. Timonen achieved the pinnacle of success by winning the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, his final career game. He was recognized for his contributions to the sport by being inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2020.

Pentti Lund was a Finnish Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played for the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers in the NHL. Lund is recognized as one of the earliest Finnish players in the league. Known for his skill and versatility, he made significant contributions to both teams during his career. Lund's presence on the ice was marked by his strong work ethic, scoring ability, and dedication to the game. His impact on the NHL helped pave the way for other Finnish players to follow in his footsteps.

Joonas Donskoi is a Finnish former professional ice hockey right wing who played 474 NHL games. He was drafted by the Florida Panthers in 2010 and later played for Oulun Kärpät in Finland before joining the San Jose Sharks in 2015. Donskoi then signed with the Colorado Avalanche in 2019 and was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL expansion draft. He announced his retirement in 2023 due to concussions, having also competed in various international championships throughout his career.

Jesse Puljujärvi is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL. He was drafted fourth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and has since played for both the Oilers and the Carolina Hurricanes. Puljujärvi began his professional career in 2014 with Oulun Kärpät in the SM-liiga. Known as a top prospect, he has represented Finland in international competitions despite being born in Sweden.

Noora Räty is a highly accomplished Finnish ice hockey goaltender and coach. She has represented Finland in multiple Olympic Games and IIHF World Championships, winning several medals and accolades as a top goaltender. Räty has also excelled in the NCAA, winning two championships and setting career records. She has played in various professional leagues, including the CWHL and the Russian Women's Hockey League, and made history as the first woman goaltender in Finnish men's professional leagues. Räty is known for her skill and achievements in both playing and coaching ice hockey.

Jenni Hiirikoski is a highly accomplished Finnish ice hockey player and the captain of the Finnish national team and Luleå HF/MSSK in the Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL). Regarded as one of the best active defensemen worldwide, she has received the IIHF Directorate Best Defenceman award seven times. With numerous accolades, including three SDHL championships, Hiirikoski stands as the second all-time leading scorer among SDHL defenders and the third all-time leading scorer for Luleå. Her exceptional skills and contributions to the sport have solidified her reputation as a top player.

Susanna Tapani, also known as Suski, is a versatile Finnish athlete with a strong presence in ice hockey, ringette, and in-line hockey. She showcases her skills as a professional ice hockey player in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) with PWHL Boston. Tapani's talent extends beyond the ice as she represents both the Finnish national ice hockey team and the Finnish national ringette team. Her dedication and prowess in multiple sports have solidified her reputation as a formidable competitor on the international stage.

Meeri Räisänen is a successful Finnish ice hockey goaltender who plays for Gladiators HT in the II-divisioona league. She is also a key member of the Finnish national team, boasting an impressive record of two Olympic bronze medals and two World Championship bronze medals. Her exceptional skills and talent have earned her recognition, having been named to the World Championship All-Star Team twice. Räisänen's career is marked by her dedication to the sport and her consistent performance at the highest levels of international ice hockey competition.

Michelle Karvinen is a highly accomplished ice hockey player known for her exceptional technical skills and prowess as a forward. She has achieved significant success at both the national and international levels, winning multiple Olympic and IIHF Women's World Championship medals with the Finnish national team. Throughout her career, she has secured numerous championships in various leagues, showcasing her talent and versatility on the ice. Karvinen's impressive statistics and records highlight her standing as one of the top players in women's ice hockey.