Marko Kiprusoff

Marko Kiprusoff (born February 6, 1972 in Turku, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman.

Draft
He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens as their third-round pick, #70 overall, in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

SM-liiga Career
Marko Kiprusoff started his hockey career with TPS. Kiprusoff also had a three game visit to HPK during his earlier seasons in SM-liiga. Kiprusoff earned a reputation as a solid offensive defenceman in TPS and after his successful performances for Finnish National team and TPS, Kiprusoff was contracted by Montreal Canadiens.

Kiprusoff won the SM-liiga championship twice, in 1993 and 1995. Kiprusoff also captured the European Championship with TPS in 1994.

First NHL visit
Kiprusoff spent the 1995–96 season with the Montreal Canadiens but he didn't make a good impact in the NHL. Kiprusoff played 24 games for Canadiens and 28 more for Montreal's AHL-affiliate, Fredericton Canadiens.

Return to Europe
After his single season in NHL, Kiprusoff played two seasons in Swedish Elitserien for Malmö IF after which he returned back to TPS in 1998. Kiprusoff won two more SM-liiga championships with TPS, making him four-time SM-liiga Champion. Kiprusoff played the 2001–02 with the New York Islanders and played after that for EHC Kloten in Switzerland.

In 2004 Kiprusoff returned again to TPS, where he played until the end of the 08-09 season. On 21 May 2009 signed an contract with French team Ducs d'Angers of the Ligue Magnus.

International play
Kiprusoff was a mainstay in Finnish national team during the most of the 90's. Kiprusoff played 198 National Team games and was on the Finnish national men's ice hockey team when they won Finland's only Ice Hockey World Championships gold medal to date in 1995.

Kiprusoff's last International Tournament callup was during the 2003 World Championship Tournament.

Awards

 * Pekka Rautakallio trophy for best defenceman in the SM-liiga - 1995
 * Raimo Kilpiö trophy for gentleman player in the SM-liiga - 1999

Personal
He is the older brother of Miikka Kiprusoff.