HIFK Naiset
Auroraliiga ice hockey team in Helsinki, Finland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
IFK Helsinki Naiset (Swedish: IFK Helsingfors Dam), abbreviated HIFK Naiset and also known as Stadin Gimmat (lit. 'Girls of Stadi', a nickname for Helsinki), is an ice hockey team in the Finnish Auroraliiga. They play at the Pirkkolan jäähalli (lit. 'Pirkkola ice rink') in the Pirkkola district of Helsinki. The team is the representative women's ice hockey team of the multisport club Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna, Helsingfors (HIFK) and is operated by Oy HIFK-Hockey Ab, the same organization that owns the HIFK men's ice hockey team of the Liiga – HIFK Naiset are one of only two Auroraliiga teams owned directly by a Liiga team.[1]
| IFK Helsinki Naiset Stadin Gimmat | |
|---|---|
| |
| City | Helsinki |
| League | Auroraliiga |
| Founded | 1982 Refounded 2018 |
| Home arena | Pirkkolan jäähalli |
| Colours | Red, white, dark blue |
| General manager | Saara Kivenmäki |
| Head coach | Saara Kivenmäki |
| Captain | Ilona Palin |
| Media | Helsingin Sanomat |
| Affiliates | HIFK Akatemia HIFK Challenger |
| Parent club | HIFK Ishockey rf |
| Website | Official website |
| Franchise history | |
| 1982–1989 | HIFK Naiset |
| 2018–present | HIFK Naiset (Stadin Gimmat) |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles | 1 (2022–23) |
| Aurora Borealis Cup | 2 (2023, 2024) |
| Current uniform | |
 | |
 Current season | |
The original HIFK Naiset was one of the ten founding teams from the inaugural 1982–83 Naisten SM-sarja season but they were financially relegated in 1989 and the club chose not to pursue women's ice hockey for the following several decades. The current team was established in 2018 and gained promotion to the Auroraliiga (then called the Naisten Liiga) from the second-tier Naisten Mestis at the end of their debut season in 2018–19.[2]
HIFK-Stadin Gimmat has two affiliate teams, HIFK Akatemia and HIFK Challenger (known as HIFK U18 from 2018 to 2023), which are active in the Naisten Mestis and Naisten Suomi-sarja, respectively.
History
Original team, 1982–1989
HIFK Naiset was one of the original ten teams to play in the inaugural season, 1982–83, of the Naisten SM-sarja (lit. 'Women's Finnish Championship Series'; renamed Naisten Liiga in 2017 and Auroraliiga in 2024). The team struggled early on, forced to compete with fellow Helsinki-based team Helsingin Jääkiekkoklubi (HJK) for top talent. HIFK finished in the bottom half of the league in their first five seasons, ranking seventh of ten teams in 1982–83, ninth of twelve in 1983–84, eighth of thirteen in 1984–85, fifth of eight in 1985–86, and sixth of eight in 1986–87.
The team's fortunes turned in the 1987–88 season and they earned a 7-2-5 (win-tie-loss) record with a +3 goal difference and claimed third place in the Naisten SM-sarja playoffs, earning Finnish Championship bronze. With a 1988–89 roster that included three members of the newly-created Finnish women's national ice hockey team – defensemen Johanna Ikonen and Maria Turki (Novitsky), and forward Ulla Saarikko – HIFK continued their upward trajectory, posting an 8-2-4 record with a +20 goal differential and claiming Finnish Championship bronze for the second consecutive season.
Despite the marked improvement of the team, HIFK was financially relegated after the 1988–89 season and no senior women's representative team or any programs for women and girls existed in the club for the following twenty-five years.
Season-by-season results
This is a list of all seasons completed by HIFK Naiset, including the original HIFK Naiset (1982–1989) and HIFK Naiset-Stadin Gimmat (2018–present).[3]
Note: Finish = Rank at end of regular season; GP = Games played, W = Wins (3 points), OTW = Overtime/shootout wins (2 points), T = Ties (1 point), OTL = Overtime/shootout losses (1 point), L = Losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, Pts = Points, Top scorer: Points (Goals+Assists)
| Season | League | Preliminaries and regular season | Postseason results | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | GP | W | OTW | T | OTL | L | GF | GA | Pts | Top scorer | |||
| 1982–83 | Naisten SM-sarja | 7th | 8 | 3 | N/a | 0 | N/a | 5 | 43 | 26 | 6 |  S-L. Aura 17 (15+2) |
Did not qualify |
| 1983–84 | Naisten SM-sarja | 9th | 8 | 2 | N/a | 0 | N/a | 6 | 27 | 42 | 4 | M. Böckelman 10 (5+5) |
Did not qualify |
| 1984–85 | Naisten SM-sarja | 8th | 9 | 3 | N/a | 0 | N/a | 6 | 26 | 29 | 6 | A. Kaunola 8 (6+2) |
Did not qualify |
| 1985–86 | Naisten SM-sarja | 5th | 14 | 3 | N/a | 4 | N/a | 7 | 36 | 40 | 10 | H. Leppälä 11 (7+4) |
Did not qualify |
| 1986–87 | Naisten SM-sarja | 6th | 14 | 6 | N/a | 0 | N/a | 8 | 33 | 39 | 12 |
|
Did not qualify |
| 1987–88 | Naisten SM-sarja | 3rd | 14 | 7 | N/a | 2 | N/a | 5 | 35 | 32 | 16 | A. Kaunola 13 (11+2) |
Won bronze medal |
| 1988–89 | Naisten SM-sarja | 3rd | 14 | 8 | N/a | 2 | N/a | 4 | 53 | 33 | 18 | A. Kaunola 22 (15+7) |
Won bronze medal |
| 2018–19 | Naisten Mestis | 1st | 26 | 24 | 1 | N/a | 0 | 1 | 159 | 26 | 74 | Mi. Klemola 50 (23+27) |
Promoted to Naisten Liiga |
| 2019–20 | Naisten Liiga | 7th | 30 | 15 | 2 | N/a | 3 | 10 | 124 | 74 | 52 |  E. Passard 47 (28+19) |
Lost quarterfinals to Kärpät, 0–3 |
| 2020–21 | Naisten Liiga | 3rd | 27 | 16 | 4 | N/a | 1 | 6 | 104 | 57 | 57 | E. Passard 37 (19+21) |
Won bronze medal, 2–1 (Ilves) |
| 2021–22 | Naisten Liiga | 2nd | 29 | 26 | 0 | N/a | 0 | 3 | 137 | 41 | 78 | M. Nilsson 55 (37+18) |
Runner-up, 2–3 (K-Espoo) |
| 2022–23 | Naisten Liiga | 1st | 36 | 29 | 3 | N/a | 0 | 4 | 197 | 57 | 93 |  M. Pejzlová 82 (32+50) |
Won Championship, 3–0 (K-Espoo) |
| 2023–24 | Naisten Liiga | 2nd | 32 | 27 | 0 | N/a | 0 | 5 | 175 | 49 | 75 | M. Pejzlová 71 (30+41) |
Won Championship, 3–1 (K-Espoo) |
| 2024–25 | Auroraliiga | 4th | 32 | 20 | 1 | N/a | 2 | 9 | 113 | 81 | 64 | P. Salonen 34 (16+18) |
Lost quarterfinals to Ilves, 2–3 |
| 2025–26 | Auroraliiga | 3rd | 32 | 22 | 9 | N/a | 3 | 7 | 137 | 68 | 69 | E. Juusela 60 (26+34) |
Lost bronze medal match to Ilves, 2–5 |
Players and personnel
2026–27 roster
Coaching staff and team personnel
- Head coach: Saara Kivenmäki
- Assistant coach: Bertalan Szolga
- Goaltending coach: Iina Kuusela
- Conditioning coach: Virpi Rajala
- Team manager: Maikku Lehikoinen
- Equipment manager: Timo Nikunen, Riikka Ahola & Jukka Ahola
- Physical therapist: Virpi Rajala
Team captaincy history
- Saara Suomikallio, 2018–19 (Mestis)
- Karoliina Rantamäki, 2019–2024
- Athéna Locatelli,[7] 2024–2026
- Ilona Palin, 2026–
Head coaches
- Saara Kivenmäki,[8] 2018–
Awards and honors
Finnish Championship
Aurora Borealis Cup (2): 2023, 2024
Runners-up (1): 2022
Third Place (3): 1988, 1989, 2021
Source: [9]
Player awards
- Päivi Halonen Award (Defender of the Year)
- 2022–23: Siiri Yrjölä[10]
- 2023–24: Siiri Yrjölä[11]
- Päivi Halonen Award (Forward of the Year)
- 2025–26: Pauliina Salonen[12]
- Noora Räty Award (Rookie of the Year)
- 2019–20: Krista Parkkonen[13]
- 2022–23: Sanni Vanhanen[10]
- Marianne Ihalainen Award (Top point scorer)
- 2020–21: Michaela Pejzlová[14]
- 2022–23: Michaela Pejzlová[15]
- 2023–24: Michaela Pejzlová[16]
- Tiia Reima Award (Top goal scorer)
- 2021–22: Matilda Nilsson[17]
- Sari Fisk Award (Best plus–minus)
- 2022–23: Michaela Pejzlová[15]
- 2023–24: Clara Rozier[16]
- 2025–26: Pauliina Salonen[12]
- Emma Laaksonen Award (Fair-play player)
- 2021–22: Emmanuelle Passard[18]
- Karoliina Rantamäki Award (Playoff MVP)
- Hannu Saintula Award (Coach of the Year)
- 2020–21: Saara Niemi[20]
- 2022–23: Saara Niemi[10]
- Scholar-Athlete of the Year
All-Stars
Auroraliiga All-Star teams are selected by Auroraliiga coaches at the conclusion of the regular season. Prior to the 2023–24 season, All-Star teams were selected by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association.
First Team
- 2022–23: Julia Liikala (RW), Michaela Pejzlová (C), Siiri Yrjölä (D)
- 2023–24: Michaela Pejzlová (C), Siiri Yrjölä (D)
- 2025–26: Emmi Juusela (LW), Pauliina Salonen (C)
Second Team
- 2020–21: Athéna Locatelli (D), Krista Parkkonen (D), Michaela Pejzlová (C)
- 2021–22: Iina Kuusela (G), Matilda Nilsson (RW), Krista Parkkonen (D), Michaela Pejzlová (C)
- 2023–24: Julia Liikala (RW)
- 2024–25: Anni Pere (LW)
Player of the Month
- December 2019: Emmanuelle Passard[21]
- October 2022: Julia Liikala[22]
- January 2023: Emilia Vesa[23]
- January 2024: Michaela Pejzlová[24]
- January 2025: Pauliina Salonen[25]
- December 2025: Emmi Juusela (F), HIFK[26]
- January 2026: Pauliina Salonen[27]
Team records and leaders
The player records detailed here are from the Naisten Liiga (called Naisten SM-sarja from 1982 to 2017); Naisten Mestis statistics accrued during the 2018–19 season are not included. Records valid through the conclusion of the 2023–24 season.
Single-season records
- Most goals: Matilda Nilsson, 37 goals (29 games; 2021–22)
- Most assists: Michaela Pejzlová, 50 assists (31 games; 2022–23)
- Most points: Michaela Pejzlová, 82 points (31 games; 2022–23)
- Most points, defenceman: Siiri Yrjölä, 42 points (31 games; 2022–23)
- Most points, rookie: Sanni Vanhanen, 40 points (22 games; 2022–23)
- Best points per game, over ten games played: Michaela Pejzlová, 2.96 P/G (24 games; 2023–24)
- Most penalty minutes: Krista Parkkonen, 63 PIM (28 games; 2019–20)
- Best save percentage, over ten games played: Iina Kuusela, .951 SV% (18 games; 2021–22)
- Best goals against average, over ten games played: Iina Kuusela, 1.23 GAA (18 games; 2021–22)
- Most shutouts: Iina Kuusela, 6 shutouts (18 games; 2021–22)
Source: [28]
Career records
- Most goals: Michaela Pejzlová, 94 goals (98 games; 2020–2024)
- Most assists: Michaela Pejzlová, 138 assists (98 games; 2020–2024)
- Most points: Michaela Pejzlová, 232 points (98 games; 2020–2024)
- Most points, defenceman: Siiri Yrjölä, 100 points (114 games; 2020–2024)
- Best points per game, over 30 games played: Michaela Pejzlová, 2.37 P/G (98 games; 2020–2024)
- Most penalty minutes: Two players, 94 PIM
- Maria Novitsky (68 games; 1983–1989)
- Clara Rozier (121 games; 2020–2024)
- Most games played, skater: Anni Pere, 138 games (2019–2024)
- Most games played, goaltender: Kiia Lahtinen, 48 games (2019–2024)
- Best save percentage: Iina Kuusela, .934 SV% (36 games; 2020–2023)
- Best goals against average: Kiia Lahtinen, 1.48 GAA (32 games; 2019–2024)
- Most shutouts: Kiia Lahtinen, 13 shutouts (48 games; 2019–2024)
Source: [29]
All-time scoring leaders
The top Naisten Liiga regular season point scorers (goals + assists) in HIFK history, through the 2023–24 season.
Note: Nat = Nationality; Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game
| Nat | Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | P/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Michaela Pejzlová | F | 98 | 94 | 138 | 232 | 2.37 |
|
Clara Rozier | F | 121 | 75 | 85 | 160 | 1.32 |
|
Julia Liikala | F | 83 | 67 | 92 | 159 | 1.92 |
|
Emmanuelle Passard | F | 85 | 65 | 55 | 120 | 1.41 |
|
Karoliina Rantamäki | F | 104 | 40 | 76 | 116 | 1.12 |
|
Sanni Vanhanen | F | 54 | 45 | 61 | 106 | 1.96 |
|
Siiri Yrjölä | D | 114 | 27 | 73 | 100 | 0.88 |
|
Johanna Kemppainen | F | 136 | 46 | 48 | 94 | 0.69 |
|
Athéna Locatelli | D | 118 | 17 | 72 | 89 | 0.75 |
|
Arja Kaunola | F | 73 | 59 | 18 | 77 | 1.05 |
|
Matilda Nilsson | F | 29 | 37 | 18 | 55 | 1.90 |
|
Emilia Vesa | F | 28 | 22 | 31 | 53 | 1.89 |
|
Krista Parkkonen | D | 69 | 14 | 35 | 49 | 0.71 |
|
Mikaela Saukkonen | D | 130 | 14 | 29 | 43 | 0.33 |
|
Miressa Mäkelä[30] | F | 44 | 18 | 17 | 35 | 0.80 |
Sources: Finnish Ice Hockey Association, Elite Prospects[29]
Notable alumnae
Seasons active with HIFK listed alongside player name.[29]
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International players
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