Ilves Naiset
Auroraliiga ice hockey team in Tampere, Finland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tampereen Ilves Naiset (lit. 'Tampere Lynx Women') are an ice hockey team in the Auroraliiga. They are the representative women's team of the multi-sport club Ilves, based in Tampere, and their home arena is Tesoman jäähalli in Tampere's Tesoma district.
| Tampereen Ilves Naiset | |
|---|---|
| |
| City | Tampere, Finland |
| League | Auroraliiga |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Home arena | Tesoman jäähalli |
| Colours | Green, yellow, black, white |
| General manager | Rami Kujala |
| Head coach | Marjo Voutilainen |
| Captain | Jenna Lehtiniemi |
| Website | Official website |
| Championships | |
| Aurora Borealis Cup | 10 (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2006, 2010) |
| EWCC | 1 (2011) |
 Current season | |
Ilves is the only team that has played in every season since the establishment of the Naisten SM-sarja in 1982 (called the Naisten Liiga in 2017–2024 and rebranded as Auroraliiga in 2024). The team ranks second on the list of most Aurora Borealis Cup wins, with ten, and has claimed the most Finnish Championship medals in league history, with ten gold, twelve silver, and eight bronze for 30 total medals.
Season-by-season results
This is a partial list of the most recent seasons completed by Tampereen Ilves Naiset.
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, 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 | OTL | L | GF | GA | Pts | Top scorer | |||
| 2015–16 | Naisten SM-sarja | 8 | 28 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 25 | 31 | 178 | 5 |  S. Parkusjärvi 10 (4+6) |
Saved in relegation |
| 2016–17 | Naisten SM-sarja | 6 | 28 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 62 | 73 | 37 | S. Kärnä 25 (13+12) |
Lost quarterfinals to KalPa, 1–2 |
| 2017–18 | Naisten Liiga | 1 | 30 | 21 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 139 | 41 | 75 | L. Välimäki. 58 (30+28) |
 Lost finals to Kärpät, 1–3 |
| 2018–19 | Naisten Liiga | 2 | 30 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 149 | 70 | 66 | L. Välimäki. 71 (36+35) |
Lost finals to Blues, 0–3 |
| 2019–20 | Naisten Liiga | 6 | 30 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 77 | 95 | 36 | J. Suokko 32 (13+19) |
Lost quarterfinals to KalPa, 0–3 |
| 2020–21 | Naisten Liiga | 4th | 28 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 83 | 66 | 47 | J. Suokko 36 (22+14) |
Lost bronze medal game to HIFK, 1–2 |
| 2021–22 | Naisten Liiga | 4th | 30 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 78 | 72 | 43 | A. Kaitala 30 (17+13) |
Lost quarterfinals to TPS, 0–3 |
| 2022–23 | Naisten Liiga | 5th | 36 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 105 | 98 | 59 | E. Varpula 36 (11+25) |
Lost quarterfinals to HPK, 1–3 |
| 2023–24 | Naisten Liiga | 5th | 32 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 102 | 94 | 53 | A. Kaitala 34 (21+13) |
Lost quarterfinals to KalPa, 1–3 |
| 2024–25 | Auroraliiga | 5th | 32 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 118 | 99 | 53 | M. Nilsson 43 (23+20) |
 Won bronze medal game vs Kuortane, 4–1 |
| 2025–26 | Auroraliiga | 5th | 32 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 154 | 88 | 54 | E. Ekoluoma 47 (22+25) |
Won bronze medal game vs HIFK, 5–2 |
Players and personnel
2025–26 roster
Coaching staff and team personnel
- Head coach: Marjo Voutilainen
- Assistant coach: Nuutti Ylitalo
- Goaltending coach: Atte Ojala
- Conditioning coach: Elise Heikkilä
- Equipment managers: Marko Lahtinen & Nina Tuomaala
Team captaincy history
- Marianne Ihalainen, 1990–1998
- Mari Östring, 1999–2000
- Marianne Ihalainen, 2000–01
- Evelina Similä, 2001–02
- Mari Saarinen, 2007–2011
- Johanna Koivula, 2011–2014
- Anna Kilponen, 2014–15
- Satu-Annika Parkusjärvi, 2015–16
- Anne Tuomanen, 2016–17
- Linda Välimäki, 2017–18[6]
- Anne Tuomanen, 2018–19
- Johanna Juutilainen, 2019–20
- Anna Kilponen, 2020–January 2022
- Jenna Lehtiniemi, January 2022–April 2022
- Helen Puputti, 2022–23
- Jenna Lehtiniemi,[7] 2023–
Head coaches
- Markku Hannunkivi, 1992–93
- Petteri Linna & Jarmo Nurmi, 1994–1996
- Janne Hakala & Markku Hannunkivi, 1996–97
- Antti Kallioinen & Ville Tolvanen, 1997–1999
- Tapio Koho, 1999–2002
- Marianne Ihalainen, 2002–2006
- Samuli Marjeta, 2009–13 January 2012
- Severi Lehtonen, 13 January 2012–March 2012
- Timo Lindqvist, August 2012–28 October 2012
- Jouko Urvikko, 28 October 2012 – 2013
- Osmo Lindström, 2014–2016
- Mari Saarinen, 2016–2018
- Jarmo Jamalainen, 2018–19
- Ville Tolvanen, 2019–20
- Linda Leppänen, 2020–2022
- Marjo Voutilainen,[8] 2022–
Retired numbers
- #10 Anne Haanpää
- #15 Johanna Koivula
- #16 Marianne Ihalainen
Honours and awards
Finnish Championship
Aurora Borealis Cup (10): 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2006, 2010
Runners-up (12): 1983, 1989, 1994, 1995, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019
Third Place (8): 1984, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2015, 2025, 2026
European Women's Champions Cup
Ilves represented the Naisten SM-sarja as reigning Finnish Champion at the IIHF European Women's Champions Cup in 2011.[9][10][11]
- Gold (1): 2011
Individual awards
Finnish Ice Hockey Association trophies recognizing individual Auroraliiga players won by Ilves team members. Former Ilves head coach Linda Leppänen (née Välimäki) is the most prolific award-winning player in team history, having won both the highest number of trophies, with seven, and the broadest variety of trophies, with five different awards.
- Riikka Nieminen Award (Player of the Year)
- 2009–10: Jenni Hiirikoski
- 2017–18: Linda Välimäki
- Päivi Halonen Award (Best defenseman)
- 2005–06: Heidi Pelttari
- Tuula Puputti Award (Best goaltender)
- 2005–06: Maija Hassinen
- 2007–08: Maija Hassinen
- 2020–21: Anni Keisala
- Katja Riipi Award (Best forward)
- 2005–06: Saara Tuominen
- 2009–10: Linda Välimäki
- Noora Räty Award (Best rookie)
- 2010–11: Venla Kotkaslahti
- Marianne Ihalainen Award (Top point scorer)
- 1984–85: Anne Haanpää
- 1989–90: Marianne Ihalainen
- 1991–92: Anne Nurmi
- 1994–95: Sari Fisk
- 2009–10: Linda Välimäki
- 2017–18: Linda Välimäki
- Tiia Reima Award (Top goal scorer)
- 1984–85: Anne Haanpää
- 1989–90: Marianne Ihalainen
- 1991–92: Anne Nurmi
- 1994–95: Sari Marjamäki
- 2000–01: Sari Marjamäki
- 2009–10: Linda Välimäki
- 2017–18: Linda Välimäki
- Sari Fisk Award (Best plus/minus)
- 2011–12: Heidi Pelttari
- Emma Laaksonen Award (Fair-play player)
- 2011–12: Satu Niinimäki
- Karoliina Rantamäki Award (Playoff MVP)
- 2005–06: Maija Hassinen
- 2009–10: Linda Välimäki
- Student Athlete of the Year
- 2019–20: Tanja Koljonen
All-Stars
Note: Second Team All-Star honors were not awarded prior to the 2017–18 season.
Naisten Liiga All-Star First Team selections:
- 2007–08: Maija Hassinen-Sullanmaa (G), Jenni Hiirikoski (D)
- 2008–09: Linda Välimäki (C)
- 2009–10: Jenni Hiirikoski (D), Linda Välimäki (C), Sari Kärnä (RW)
- 2010–11: Anna Kilponen (D)
- 2011–12: Heidi Peltari (D)
- 2017–18: Linda Välimäki (C), Riikka Noronen (RW)
- 2020–21: Anni Keisala (G), Anna Kilponen (D)
Naisten Liiga All-Star Second Team selections:
- 2018–19: Kreetta Kulhua (D), Linda Välimäki (C)
- 2019–20: Kreetta Kulhua (D)
- 2020–21: Jenna Suokko (LW)
Player of the Month
- October 2017: Linda Välimäki
- January 2021: Anni Keisala
- September 2023: Salla Sivula[12]
Team records and leaders
Regular season
- Career records
- Most points: Marianne Ihalainen, 602 points (323 games; 1982–2001)
- Most points, defenseman: Anna Aaltomaa, 203 points (279 games; 1992–2006)
- Most goals: Marianne Ihalainen, 320 goals (323 games; 1982–2001)
- Most assists: Johanna Koivula, 302 assists (495 games; 1997–2018)
- Highest points per game (P/G), over 30 games played: Linda Leppänen (née Välimäki), 2.11 P/G (157 games; 2005–2019)
- Most penalty minutes (PIM): Johanna Koivula, 323 PIM (495 games; 1997–2018)
- Most games played, skater: Johanna Koivula, 495 games (1997–2018)
- Most games played, goaltender: Viivi Vartia-Koivisto, 98 games (2008–2021)
- Best save percentage, over 25 games played: Anni Keisala, .937 Sv% (74 games; 2018–2022)
- Best goals against average (GAA), over 25 games played: Camilla Kortesniemi, 2.12 GAA (28 games; 2016–2019)
- Most shutouts:
- Anni Keisala, 9 shutouts (74 games; 2018–2022)
- Viivi Vartia-Koivisto, 9 shutouts (98 games; 2008–2021)
- Single-season records
- Most points: Tiia Reima, 85 points (24 games; 1993–94)
- Most points, defenseman: Kirsi Hirvonen, 56 points (23 games; 1993–94)
- Most goals: Tiia Reima, 56 goals (24 games; 1993–94)
- Most assists: Jenni Hiirikoski, 39 assists (19 games; 2009–10)
- Highest points per game, over ten games played: Linda Leppänen (née Välimäki), 4.05 P/G (19 games; 2009–10)
- Most penalty minutes in a season: Rosa Lindstedt, 84 PIM (24 games; 2010–11)
- Best save percentage, over ten games played: Vilma Vaattovaara, .951 Sv% (16 games; 2011–12)
- Best goals against average, over ten games played: Vilma Vaattovaara, 1.09 GAA (16 games; 2011–12)
- Most shutouts: Vilma Vaattovaara, 5 shutouts (21 games; 2017–18)
All-time scoring leaders
The top-ten regular season point-scorers in franchise history.[14]
Note: Nat = Nationality; Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; = current Ilves player; Bold^ indicates franchise record
| Nat | Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | P/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marianne Ihalainen | F | 323 | 320^ | 282 | 602^ | 1.864 |
| Johanna Koivula | F | 495^ | 186 | 302^ | 488 | 0.986 |
| Mari Saarinen | F/D | 315 | 158 | 180 | 338 | 1.073 |
| Linda Leppänen | F | 157 | 182 | 149 | 331 | 2.108^ |
| Tiia Reima | F | 159 | 198 | 127 | 325 | 2.044 |
| Sari Fisk | F | 196 | 180 | 144 | 324 | 1.653 |
| Marika Lehtimäki | F/D | 166 | 113 | 124 | 237 | 1.428 |
| Tiina Pihala | F | 167 | 88 | 136 | 224 | 1.341 |
| Anne Nurmi | F | 124 | 116 | 98 | 214 | 1.726 |
| Jaana Peltonen | F | 179 | 106 | 103 | 209 | 1.168 |
Playoffs
- Career records
- Most points: Johanna Koivula, 74 points (128 games; 1997–2018)
- Most points, defenseman: Jenni Hiirikoski, 32 points (52 games; 2001–2010)
- Most goals: Marianne Ihalainen, 36 goals (53 games; 1983–2001)
- Most assists: Johanna Koivula, 41 assists (128 games; 1997–2018)
- Highest points per game, over ten games played: Päivi Halonen, 1.38 P/G (13 games; 1982–1990)
- Most penalty minutes: Johanna Koivula, 104 PIM (128 games; 1997–2018)
- Most games played, skater: Johanna Koivula, 128 games (1997–2018)
- Most games played, goaltender:
- Maija Hassinen-Sullanmaa, 26 games (2003–2008)
- Viivi Vartia-Koivisto, 26 games (2008–2015)
- Best save percentage, over five games played: Anni Keisala, .939 Sv% (20 games; 2018–2022)
- Best goals against average (GAA), over five games played: Anni Keisala, 2.21 GAA (20 games; 2018–2022)
- Most shutouts: Anni Keisala, 3 shutouts (20 games; 2018–2022)
Notable alumni
Seasons active with Ilves listed alongside player name.[14]
- Kati Ahonen, 1982–1989
- Anne Haanpää (née Bäckman), 1983–1986, 1987–1991 & 1997–1998
- Maija Hassinen-Sullanmaa, 2003–2008
- Jenni Hiirikoski, 2001–2005, 2007–08 & 2009–10
- Kirsi Hirvonen, 1989–1994
- Venla Hovi, 2003–2010
- Marianne Ihalainen, 1982–2001
- Sari Kärnä, 2009–2018
- Marika Lehtimäki, 1989–1998
- Linda Leppänen (née Välimäki), 2005–2010 & 2017–2019
- Rosa Lindstedt, 2007–2012
- Sari Marjamäki (née Fisk), 1993–2002
- Leena Majaranta, 1982–1990
- Saara Niemi (née Tuominen), 2002–2006 & 2010–11
- Heidi Pelttari, 2002–2006 & 2010–2015
- Tiia Reima, 1988–1994 & 1996–2000
- Mari Saarinen, 1998–2012 & 2014–15
- Hanne Sikiö, 1996–1997 & 2003–04
- Eveliina Similä, 1998–2007
- Liisa-Maria Sneck, 1989–1994
- Jenna Suokko, 2010–2021
- Päivi Virta (prev. Halonen), 1982–1990
International players
Nina Linde, 2004–2006 & 2009–10
Tawni Jaakola (née Mattila), 2010–11
Tuva Schall Mikkelsen, 2021–2023
Nadina Niciu, 2020–21
Patricia Zum Hingst, 1996–1999
