Espoo United Naiset

Kiekko-Espoo Naiset
City	Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
League	Naisten Liiga
Founded	1989 (1989)
Home arena	Tapiolan urheilupuisto
Colors	Navy, gold, blue
General manager	Emma Terho
Head coach	Sami Haapanen
Captain	Annina Rajahuhta
Affiliate(s)	Espoon Kiekkoseura (EKS)
Parent club(s)	Kiekko Espoo Oy
Farm club(s)	Kiekko-Espoo Akatemia
Championships	1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019
Website kiekko-espoonaiset.fi
Franchise history
1989–1992	Espoon Kiekkoseura (EKS)
1992–1998	Kiekko-Espoo Naiset
1998–2016	Espoo Blues Naiset
2016–17	Espoo United Naiset
2017–2019	Espoo Blues
2019–present	Kiekko-Espoo Naiset

Kiekko-Espoo Naiset (previously Espoo Blues Naiset) is the representative women's ice hockey team of the hockey club Kiekko-Espoo based in Espoo, Finland. They compete in the Naisten Liiga, the premier women's ice hockey league in Finland, where they are the winningest team in league history. The team has been known as Espoon Kiekkoseura (EKS), Espoo Blues Naiset, Espoo United Naiset, and Kiekko-Espoo during its tenure in the Naisten Liiga; at least one Finnish Championship medal (gold, silver, or bronze) was won under each name.

History

EKS, 1990–1992

The team entered Naisten SM-sarja (now Naisten Liiga) in the 1990–91 season under the name EKS (Espoon Kiekkoseura). The two seasons played as EKS were an impressive showing for the newcomers and each resulted in a bronze medal, one in the 1990–91 season after defeating Ässät and one in the 1991–92 season after defeating KalPa.

Several EKS players also played for the bronze medal winning Finnish women's national team at the 1992 IIHF World Championship including Liisa Karikoski, Katri-Helena Luomajoki, and Hanna Teerijoki.

Kiekko-Espoo, 1992–1998

In 1992 EKS was renamed Kiekko-Espoo, the same name as its brother-team in the Liiga. The team continued to be held to bronze or lower finishes, making it to five bronze medal series in six years and winning four of them (1993, 1994, 1997, 1998).

The Golden Age: Espoo Blues, 1998–2016

The team was renamed Espoo Blues in 1998, continuing the trend of sharing the name of its brother-team in the Liiga, which also renamed Espoo Blues in that year. The name change unwittingly marked the beginning of a "golden age" for the team. Starting with their first SM-sarja gold medal in 1999, after achieving victory over JYP in the finals, they went on to win a staggering seven consecutive championships (1999–2005) and a total of thirteen championships in eighteen years. The Blues were kept off the SM-sarja medal podium only three times in the 1998–2016 span; in addition to their championship titles, they earned the team's first silver medal in 2009 and two more bronze medals in 2006 and 2016.

The Espoo Blues were also strong competitors at international tournaments in this period, earning medals at six IIHF European Women's Champions Cups: three silver medals (2005, 2007-08, 2009-10) and three bronze medals (2008-09, 2013–14, 2014–15).

Espoo United, 2016–17

In March 2016 Jääkiekko Espoo Oy, the parent club of both the Espoo Blues of the Naisten Liiga and Espoo Blues of the Liiga, declared bankruptcy with estimated liabilities of approximately €3 million. In response, Jussi Salonoja, a Finnish millionaire and film director who had previously owned the Espoo Blues franchise from 2002–2012, created a new club and organization called Espoo United Oy, stating that he was "committed to supporting hockey in Espoo." The Espoo Blues men's and women's basketball and ice hockey teams would play for Espoo United.

For the 2016–17 season the Espoo United women's ice hockey team played in the Naisten SM-sarja and won silver in the 2017 Finnish Championship. The Espoo United men's team played in the Mestis, the league below the premier-level Liiga, where they won bronze in the playoffs.

On 15 August 2017 Salonoja announced that the Espoo United was abandoning its women's ice hockey and basketball teams for financial reasons. “The reason is twofold: the men's teams' budgets are far greater than those of women's teams, so their running is more demanding, but on the other hand, [the men's teams] are more interesting to sponsors and audiences,” Salonoja said.

The future of women's ice hockey team was left uncertain and many possible solutions were proposed, including being acquired by HIFK or merging with Espoo Blues Juniorit (a junior club with strong ties to the franchise).

Espoo Blues part 2, 2017–2019

In September 2017 the Finnish Ice Hockey Association announced that it had supported the creation of an independent association, Ysikoppi ry, to oversee the team and had given its approval for the team to compete in the upcoming 2017–18 season under the name Espoo Blues.

Players and personnel

2020–21 roster

As of 26 October 2020

#	Nat	Player	Pos	S/G	Age	Acquired	Birthplace
12	FIN	Aro, JaninaJanina Aro	2.0 D	L	24	2018	Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
35	FIN	Drufva, MinjaMinja Drufva	1.0 G	L	22	2018	Lohja, Uusimaa, Finland
13	FIN	Eronen, AdaAda Eronen	2.0 D	L	20	2018	Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
19	FIN	Haukijärvi, TinjaTinja Haukijärvi	3.0 F	L	26	2017	Järvenpää, Uusimaa, Finland
32	FIN	Jaskari, EricaErica Jaskari	1.0 G	L	22	2017	Lapua, South Ostrobothnia, Finland
27	FIN	Järvinen, RiikkaRiikka Järvinen	2.0 D	L	23	2018	Kotka, Kymenlaakso, Finland
17	FIN	Katajamäki, NeaNea Katajamäki	3.0 F	R	27	2013	Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
9	FIN	Laitinen, NelliNelli Laitinen	2.0 D	L	21	2017	Lohja, Uusimaa, Finland
88	FIN	Lehtopelto, SiruSiru Lehtopelto	2.0 D	L	27	2014	Lohja, Uusimaa, Finland
16	FIN	Leinonen, EmmiEmmi Leinonen	3.0 F	L	35	2019	Valkeakoski, Pirkanmaa, Finland
26	FIN	Montonen, AnniAnni Montonen	3.0 F	L	23	2017	Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
21	FIN	Nuutinen, SofiaSofia Nuutinen	3.0 F	L	21	2018	Vantaa, Uusimaa, Finland
33	FIN	Paasilinna, HetaHeta Paasilinna	2.0 D		19	2020	Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
31	FIN	Pajarinen, TiiaTiia Pajarinen	1.0 G	L	26	2019	Polvijärvi, North Karelia, Finland
11	FIN	Rajahuhta, AnninaAnnina Rajahuhta  (C)	3.0 F	L	35	2012	Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
91	FIN	Rakkolainen, EmmiEmmi Rakkolainen	3.0 F	L	27	2017	Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
38	FIN	Saarinen, MiraMira Saarinen	3.0 F		18	2020
22	FIN	Schalin, JuliaJulia Schalin	3.0 F	L	19	2020	Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
23	FIN	Talvitie, ElsaElsa Talvitie	3.0 F		19	2020	Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
20	FIN	Valkjärvi, ReettaReetta Valkjärvi  (A)	3.0 F	L	27	2015	Hollola, Päijät-Häme, Finland
18	FIN	Vesa, EmiliaEmilia Vesa	3.0 F	R	23	2020	Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
3	FIN	Viitasuo, EllaElla Viitasuo  (A)	2.0 D	L	27	2016	Lahti, Päijät-Häme, Finland
8	FIN	Villilä, TeaTea Villilä  (A)	2.0 D	L	33	2016	Hyvinkää, Uusimaa, Finland
68	FIN	Vuosalmi, RoosaRoosa Vuosalmi	3.0 F	L	17	2020	Vantaa, Uusimaa, Finland
30	FIN	Väyrynen, AlexandraAlexandra Väyrynen	1.0 G	L	25	2020	Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa
34	POL	Zielińska, JuliaJulia Zielińska	2.0 D	L	19	2020	Sanok, Podkarpackie Voivodeship, Poland

2020–21 coaching staff

• Head Coach: Sami Haapanen
• Assistant Coach: Timo Löppönen
• Goaltending Coach: Risto Jaakkola
• Conditioning Coach: Viola Kaukonen
• Team Manager: Jarkko Malm
• Equipment Manager: Marko Ahlroth & Harri Lehtonen

Team captaincy history

• Katri-Helena Luomajoki, 1997–98
• Essi Sievers, 2007–2009
• Emma Laaksonen Terho, 2009–2011
• Essi Sievers, 2011–12
• Emma Laaksonen Terho, 2012–2014
• Minttu Tuominen, 2014–2016
• Linda Välimäki Leppänen, 2016–17
• Minttu Tuominen, 2017–2020
• Annina Rajahuhta, 2020–present

Head coaches

• Jari Kalho, 2000–01
• Hannu Saintula, 2001–02
• Jari Peltonen, 2002–2006
• Sami Haapanen, 2008–2011
• Kai Jansson, 2012–13
• Sami Haapanen, 2013–present

Team honours

Finnish Championship

• 01  Gold Finnish Champions (14): 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019
  • Aurora Borealis Cup (4): 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019
• 02  Silver Runners-up (2): 2010, 2017
• 03  Bronze Third Place (8): 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2006, 2016

Note:

IIHF European Women's Champions Cup

• Silver (3): 2005, 2007–08, 2009–10
• 03  Bronze Bronze (3): 2008–09, 2013–14, 2014–15

Season-by-season results

This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the franchise. The team was called the “Espoo Blues” during the 2015–16, 2017–18, and 2018–19 seasons; “Espoo United” in the 2016–17 season, and “Kiekko-Espoo” in the 2019–20 season.

Note: Finish = Rank at end of regular season; GP = Games played; W = Wins (3 points); OTW = Overtime wins (2 points); OTL = Overtime losses (1 point); L = Losses (0 points); GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points

Season	League	Regular season									Post season results	Top scorer (regular season)
		Finish	GP	W	OTW	OTL	L	GF	GA	Pts
2015–16	SM-sarja	2nd	28	19	3	1	5	162	67	64	3 Won bronze medal, 1-0 (Kärpät)	L. Välimäki 70 (31+39)
2016–17	SM-sarja	2nd	28	17	3	1	7	109	68	58	2 Lost final, 2–3 (Kärpät)	L. Välimäki 60 (29+31)
2017–18	Liiga	3rd	30	16	2	4	8	125	74	56	4th: Lost bronze medal, 0-1 (Team Kuortane)	E. Rakkolainen 27 (16+11)
2018–19	Liiga	1st	30	23	1	0	6	164	58	71	1 Won Championship, 3-0 (Ilves)	A. Rajahuhta 66 (36+30)
2019–20	Liiga	1st	30	20	3	2	5	145	60	68	Won semi-final, 3–0 (Team Kuortane); Finals cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic	E. Rakkolainen 42 (13+29)

Source(s): Finnish Ice Hockey Association

Franchise records and leaders

Single-season records

• Most goals in a season: Karoliina Rantamäki, 39 goals (24 games; 2002–03)
• Most assists in a season: Minttu Tuominen, 50 assists (30 games; 2018–19)
• Most points in a season: Michelle Karvinen, 81 points (22 games; 2008–09)
• Most points in a season, defenceman: Minttu Tuominen, 62 points (30 games; 2018–19)
• Most penalty minutes in a season: Tea Villilä, 76 PIM (16 games; 2008–09)
• Best save percentage in a season, over ten games played: Noora Räty, .954 SVS% (19 games; 2006–07) / Isabella Portnoj, .954 SVS% (19 games; 2013–14)
• Best goals against average in a season, over ten games played: Noora Räty, 1.21 GAA (19 games; 2006–07)

Career records

• Most career goals: Karoliina Rantamäki, 355 goals (338 games; 1992–2007)
• Most career assists: Petra Vaarakallio, 351 assists (286 games; 1992–1994, 1995–2006)
• Most career points: Karoliina Rantamäki, 639 points (338 games; 1992–2007)
• Best career points per game, over 30 games played: Michelle Karvinen, 3.667 points per game (39 games; 2007–2009)
• Most career points, defenceman: Minttu Tuominen, 313 points (208 games; 2006–2009, 2013–2016, 2017–2020)
• Most career penalty minutes: Tea Villilä, 317 penalty minutes (142 games; 2008–2010, 2016–present)

All-time scoring leaders

The top-ten point-scorers in franchise history.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game;      = current Kiekko-Espoo player; Bold indicates franchise record

Points

Player	Pos	GP	G	A	Pts	P/G
Rantamäki, KaroliinaKaroliina Rantamäki	F	338	355	284	639	1.891
Vaarakallio, PetraPetra Vaarakallio	F	286	280	351	631	2.206
Rajahuhta, AnninaAnnina Rajahuhta	W	206	176	219	395	1.917
Välimäki, LindaLinda Välimäki	C	151	174	186	360	2.384
Tuominen, MinttuMinttu Tuominen	D	208	108	205	313	1.505
Parviainen, OonaOona Parviainen	F	223	119	143	262	1.175
Lallukka, PiiaPiia Lallukka	F	195	101	138	239	1.226
Terho, EmmaEmma Terho	D	262	54	173	227	0.866
Posa, ChristineChristine Posa	W	241	110	104	214	0.888
Sievers, EssiEssi Sievers	D	250	71	117	188	0.752

Source(s): Elite Prospects

Notable alumni

Years active with Kiekko-Espoo listed alongside players' names.

• Susanne Ceder, 1998–2000
• Minna Dunder, 1993–94
• Moeko Fujimoto, 2014–15
• Nikola Gápová, 2015–2018
• Päivi Halonen Virta, 1997–2006
• Fengling Jin, 2005–06
• Liisa Karikoski, 1990–1994
• Michelle Karvinen, 2007–2009
• Miia Kataja, 1994–2006
• Emma Laaksonen Terho, 1996–2000, 2004–2007 & 2008–2015
• Katri-Helena Luomajoki, 1990–1994 & 1995–2002
• Marianne Mattila, 1996–1998
• Oona Parviainen, 1999–2010
• Karoliina Rantamäki, 1992–2007
• Danielle Rozon, 2017–18
• Noora Räty, 2005–2009
• Maria Selin Saarni, 1994–2000
• Essi Sievers, 2002–2010 & 2011–2014
• Rui Sun, 2005–06
• Hanna Teerijoki, 1991–1994
• Minnamari “Minttu” Tuominen, 2006–2008, 2013–2016 & 2017–2020
• Petra Vaarakallio, 1992–2006
• Linda Välimäki Leppänen, 2010–2017
• Arina Zvezdina, 2011–12

External links

• Team information and statistics from Eliteprospects.com and Eurohockey.com and Hockeyarchives.info (in French)