HIFK Naiset

For other teams of the parent club, see HIFK.
IFK Helsinki Naiset
Stadin Gimmat
CityHelsinki
LeagueAuroraliiga
Founded1982 (1982)
Refounded 2018
Home arenaPirkkolan jäähalli
ColoursRed, white, dark blue
     
General managerJohanna Sandqvist
Head coachSaara Niemi
CaptainAthéna Locatelli
AffiliatesHIFK Akatemia
HIFK Challenger
Parent club(s)HIFK Ishockey rf
WebsiteOfficial website
Franchise history
1982–1989HIFK Naiset
2018–presentHIFK Naiset
(Stadin Gimmat)
Championships
Regular season titles1 (2022–23)
Aurora Borealis Cup2 (2023, 2024)
Current uniform
Current season
Active departments of HIFK
Bandy Floorball Football
Handball Ice hockey
(men's)		 Ice hockey
(women's)
Athletics Bowling Golf
eSports

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 in the Pirkkola district of Helsinki at the Pirkkolan jäähalli (lit. 'Pirkkola ice hall'). The team is the representative women's ice hockey team of the multisport club Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna, Helsingfors 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]

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 Post season results
Finish GP W OTW T OTL L GF GA Pts Top scorer
1982–83 Naisten SM-sarja 7th 8 3 – 0 – 5 43 26 6 Finland S-L. Aura 17 (15+2) Did not qualify
1983–84 Naisten SM-sarja 9th 8 2 – 0 – 6 27 42 4 Finland M. Böckelman 10 (5+5) Did not qualify
1984–85 Naisten SM-sarja 8th 9 3 – 0 – 6 26 29 6 Finland A. Kaunola 8 (6+2) Did not qualify
1985–86 Naisten SM-sarja 5th 14 3 – 4 – 7 36 40 10 Finland H. Leppälä 11 (7+4) Did not qualify
1986–87 Naisten SM-sarja 6th 14 6 – 0 – 8 33 39 12
Did not qualify
1987–88 Naisten SM-sarja 3rd 14 7 – 2 – 5 35 32 16 Finland A. Kaunola 13 (11+2) Won bronze medal
1988–89 Naisten SM-sarja 3rd 14 8 – 2 – 4 53 33 18 Finland A. Kaunola 22 (15+7) Won bronze medal
2018–19 Naisten Mestis 1st 26 24 1 – 0 1 159 26 74 Finland Mi. Klemola 50 (23+27) Promoted to Naisten Liiga
2019–20 Naisten Liiga 7th 30 15 2 – 3 10 124 74 52 France E. Passard 47 (28+19) Lost quarterfinals, 0–3 (Kärpät)
2020–21 Naisten Liiga 3rd 27 16 4 – 1 6 104 57 57 France E. Passard 37 (19+21) Won bronze medal, 2–1 (Ilves)
2021–22 Naisten Liiga 2nd 29 26 0 – 0 3 137 41 78 Finland M. Nilsson 55 (37+18) Lost final, 2–3 (K-Espoo)
2022–23 Naisten Liiga 1st 36 29 3 – 0 4 197 57 93 Czech Republic M. Pejzlová 82 (32+50) Won Championship, 3–0 (K-Espoo)
2023–24 Naisten Liiga 2nd 32 27 0 – 0 5 175 49 75 Czech Republic M. Pejzlová 71 (30+41) Won Championship, 3–1 (K-Espoo)

Players and personnel

2024–25 roster

As of 9 September 2024[4][5][6][7]
No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
7 Finland Nelly Andersson D R 17 2022 Kotka, Kymenlaakso, Finland
55 France Sehana Galbrun F L 19 2024 Saint-Martin-d'Hères, ARA, France
60 Finland Sofia Haverinen G – 18 2024
14 Finland Heidi Holmberg D L 18 2024 Mikkeli, South Savo, Finland
13 Finland Veera Huotari F L 25 2020 Oulu, North Ostrobothnia, Finland
24 Finland Olivia Huttunen D R 18 2024 Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
17 Finland Emmi Juusela F L 21 2024
9 Finland Nellie Karlberg F L 20 2022
23 Finland Johanna Kemppainen (A) F L 27 2019 Mäntsälä, Uusimaa, Finland
35 Finland Tea Koljonen G L 22 2024 Mikkeli, South Savo, Finland
20 Finland Erica Korhonen F L 19 2022 Kirkkonummi, Uusimaa, Finland
36 Finland Julia Kuhta F L 16 2024
92 Finland Olivia Kylliäinen (A) D R 20 2020 Lappeenranta, South Karelia, Finland
91 Finland Emma Lappalainen F L 19 2024 Ivalo, Inari, Lapland, Finland
77 Finland Iida Lappalainen F L 19 2024 Ivalo, Inari, Lapland, Finland
25 Finland Aino Lehikoinen F L 15 2024 Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
88 France Athéna Locatelli (C) D L 33 2020 Bourg-de-Péage, ARA, France
1 Finland Nelli Nieminen G L 18 2024
12 Finland Ilona Palin D L 18 2021 Raasepori, Uusimaa, Finland
29 Finland Anni Pere F L 21 2018 Loviisa, Uusimaa, Finland
76 Finland Pauliina Salonen F L 19 2023 Turku, Southwest Finland, Finland
19 Finland Ella Turunen F L 18 2024
30 Finland Miia Vainio G L 20 2022 Nurmijärvi, Uusimaa, Finland
26 Finland Satu-Maaria Vihervuori D L 20 2019 Vantaa, Uusimaa, Finland
Coaching staff and team personnel
  • Head coach: Saara Niemi
  • Assistant coach: Martin Andler
  • Assistant coach: Antti Borgenström
  • Goaltending coach: Aleksi Kiviranta
  • Conditioning coach: Marko Kivenmäki
  • Team manager: Nina Forelius
  • Equipment managers: Oliver Karlberg & Timo Nikunen
  • Physical therapist: Virpi Rajala

Team captaincy history

Head coaches

Awards and honors

Finnish Championship

Source: [10]

Player awards

  • 2022–23: Sanni Vanhanen[11]
  • 2023–24: Clara Rozier[19]
  • Scholar-Athlete of the Year
  • 2020–21: Anni Hietaharju[14]
  • 2022–23: Michaela Pejzlová[15]

All-Stars

Naisten Liiga All-Star teams are selected by Naisten Liiga 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

Second Team

Player of the Month

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

Source: [25]

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
  • 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: [26]

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

Points
Nat Player Pos GP G A Pts P/G
Czech Republic Michaela Pejzlová F 98 94 138 232 2.37
France Clara Rozier F 121 75 85 160 1.32
Finland Julia Liikala F 83 67 92 159 1.92
France Emmanuelle Passard F 85 65 55 120 1.41
Finland Karoliina Rantamäki F 104 40 76 116 1.12
Finland Sanni Vanhanen F 54 45 61 106 1.96
Finland Siiri Yrjölä D 114 27 73 100 0.88
Finland Johanna Kemppainen F 136 46 48 94 0.69
France Athéna Locatelli D 118 17 72 89 0.75
Finland Arja Kaunola F 73 59 18 77 1.05
Finland Matilda Nilsson F 29 37 18 55 1.90
Finland Emilia Vesa F 28 22 31 53 1.89
Finland Krista Parkkonen D 69 14 35 49 0.71
Finland Mikaela Saukkonen D 130 14 29 43 0.33
Finland Miressa Mäkelä[27] F 44 18 17 35 0.80

Sources: Finnish Ice Hockey Association, Elite Prospects[26]

Notable alumnae

Main category: HIFK Naiset players

Seasons active with HIFK listed alongside player name.[26]

International players

References

  1. ^ Foster, Meredith (24 July 2018). "Q & A with Saara Niemi of HIFK". The Ice Garden. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  2. ^ Kauhala, Hannu (26 April 2018). "HIFK julkisti naisten joukkueen, aloittaa ensi kaudella Mestiksessä". Länsi-Suomi (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  3. ^ "SM-sarja (W) - HIFK, Team History and Standings". Elite Prospects. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Naisten Liiga (W) - HIFK 2024-2025 Roster". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Joukkue". Stadin Gimmat (in Finnish). Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Stadin Gimmat 2022 - 23". Stadin Gimmat (in Finnish). 19 August 2022. Archived from the original on 10 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  7. ^ "2024-2025 Auroraliiga – Kokoonpano HIFK". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). September 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  8. ^ Seppä, Lassi (28 August 2024). "Athéna Locatellista HIFK:n naisten kapteeni". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  9. ^ Salomäki, Anne (7 December 2018). "HIFK's Saara Niemi is ice hockey from head to toe". Wärtsilä. Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  10. ^ Suomen Jääkiekkoliitto; Liiga. Aaltonen, Juha (ed.). Jääkiekkokirja 2019–2020 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Uusi Suomi/Kiekkolehti. ISSN 0784-3321. OCLC 476321083. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d Mennander, Pasi (10 June 2023). "Naisten Liigan kauden 2022–23 palkitut pelaajat, valmentajat ja tuomarit". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  12. ^ Mennander, Pasi (8 June 2024). "Naisten Liigan kauden 2023–24 palkitut pelaajat, valmentajat ja tuomarit". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  13. ^ Mennander, Pasi (23 March 2020). "Naisten Liigan kauden 2019–20 palkitut pelaajat ja tähtikentät". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  14. ^ a b Mennander, Pasi (25 March 2021). "Naisten Liigan kauden 2020–21 palkitut pelaajat ja tähtikentät". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  15. ^ a b c Mennander, Pasi (24 February 2023). "Naisten Liigan kauden 2022–23 ensimmäisten pelaajapalkintojen voittajat ovat tässä: Pejzlova, Holopainen, Lehmus!". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  16. ^ a b Löfman, Heikki (19 February 2024). "Pejzlova piste- ja Täks maalipörssin voittoon – Lahtinen tarkin maalinsuulla". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  17. ^ Mennander, Pasi (22 March 2022). "Duvin, Nilsson, Yrjänen, Rakkolainen ja Havana – Naisten Liigan ensimmäiset kausipalkintojen voittajat julkistettu". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  18. ^ Mennander, Pasi (13 June 2022). "Naisten Liigan kauden 2021–22 palkitut pelaajat ja tähtikentät". leijonat.fi (in Finnish). Finnish Ice Hockey Association. Archived from the original on 13 November 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  19. ^ Löfman, Heikki (21 March 2024). "Naisten Liigan pudotuspelien arvokkain pelaaja Clara Rozier: "Selkeästi paras kauteni Suomessa"". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  20. ^ Mennander, Pasi (15 March 2021). "Naisten Liigan parhaan valmentajan palkinto Saara Niemelle". leijonat.fi (in Finnish). Finnish Ice Hockey Association. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  21. ^ Mennander, Pasi (8 January 2020). "HIFK:n Emmanuelle Passard Naisten Liigan joulukuun pelaaja". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  22. ^ Mennander, Pasi (1 November 2022). "HIFK:n Julia Liikala Naisten Liigan lokakuun pelaaja". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  23. ^ Mennander, Pasi (1 February 2023). "HIFK:n Emilia Vesa Naisten Liigan tammikuun pelaaja". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  24. ^ Mennander, Pasi (1 February 2024). "HIFK:n Michaela Pejzlova Naisten Liigan tammikuun pelaaja". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  25. ^ "HIFK - All Time Regular Season Player Stats per Season – Naisten Liiga (W)". Elite Prospects. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  26. ^ a b c "HIFK - All Time Regular Season Player Stats – Naisten Liiga (W)". Elite Prospects. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  27. ^ Aalto, Markku. "Pelaajat: Miressa Mäkelä". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.