SaiPa
Encyclopedia
Saimaan Pallo is an ice hockey
team in the Finnish
SM-liiga
. They play their home games at Kisapuisto
in Lappeenranta
, Finland.
, 7-2.
SaiPa has produced seven players who have played in the NHL
: Antti Aalto
, Jussi Markkanen
, Petteri Nokelainen
, Petri Skriko
, Jussi Timonen
, Vesa Viitakoski
and Niklas Bäckström
. Markkanen is also a part owner of the club.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team in the Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
SM-liiga
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...
. They play their home games at Kisapuisto
Kisapuisto
Kisapuisto is an arena in Lappeenranta, Finland. It is primarily used for ice hockey, and is the home arena of SaiPa. It opened in 1972 and holds 4,847 people....
in Lappeenranta
Lappeenranta
Lappeenranta is a city and municipality that resides on the shore of the lake Saimaa in South-Eastern Finland, about from the Russian border. It belongs to the region of South Karelia. With approximately inhabitants Lappeenranta is the largest city in Finland...
, Finland.
History
The team's best achievement is from the 1965-1966 season, when they won bronze medals for placing third. SaiPa also played in a bronze medal game in the 1998-1999 season, but lost the game to HPKHPK
HPK is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Hämeenlinna, Finland at the Hämeenlinnan jäähalli. HPK was established in 1929. The full name of the club is HPK-Edustusjääkiekko Ry and the team is sometimes promoted as the "Hockey Playing Knights", with the logo representing a knight...
, 7-2.
SaiPa has produced seven players who have played in the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
: Antti Aalto
Antti Aalto
Antti Aalto is a retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
, Jussi Markkanen
Jussi Markkanen
Jussi Markkanen is an ice hockey goaltender for EV Zug of the National League A .-Playing career:Markkanen has played extensively in various European professional leagues as well as the NHL...
, Petteri Nokelainen
Petteri Nokelainen
Petteri Nokelainen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, Petri Skriko
Petri Skriko
Petri Kalevi Skriko is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey player, best remembered for his seasons starring in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks in the 1980s...
, Jussi Timonen
Jussi Timonen
Jussi Timonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for KalPa of the SM-liiga. He is the younger brother of Kimmo Timonen.-Playing career:...
, Vesa Viitakoski
Vesa Viitakoski
Vesa Viitakoski is a professional ice hockey player. As of December, 2009, he is playing for Kärpät in the Finnish SM-liiga.-Career:...
and Niklas Bäckström
Niklas Bäckström
Niklas Oskar Bäckström is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . He has won both William M. Jennings Trophy and Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award...
. Markkanen is also a part owner of the club.
Current squad
As of September 14, 2011:| Goalkeepers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | |Player | Glove hand | Contract | Place of Birth | |
| 2 |  |
Andreas Bernard Andreas Bernard Andreas Bernard is an Italian ice hockey goaltender who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
L | 2011 (2012) | Neumarkt, Italy Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... |
| 38 |  |
Jere Myllyniemi Jere Myllyniemi Jere Myllyniemi is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently with SaiPa in the Finnish SM-liiga.-External links:... |
L | 2012 | Kangasala Kangasala Kangasala is a municipality in Finland, next to Tampere. It was founded in 1865. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is .... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| Defenders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | |Player | Lower hand | Contract | Place of Birth | |
| 4 | |
Jere Pulli Jere Pulli Jere Pulli is a Finnish ice hockey defenceman who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
L | 2014 | Lappeenranta Lappeenranta Lappeenranta is a city and municipality that resides on the shore of the lake Saimaa in South-Eastern Finland, about from the Russian border. It belongs to the region of South Karelia. With approximately inhabitants Lappeenranta is the largest city in Finland... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 22 | |
Pauli Levokari Pauli Levokari Pauli Levokari is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for SaiPa in the Finnish SM-liiga.Levokari began his career at Ässät his hometown team where he played from 1996 to 2001... |
L | 2012 | Luvia Luvia Luvia is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Satakunta region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of ofwhich is water. The population density is.... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 33 |  |
Brian Salcido Brian Salcido Brian Michael Salcido is an American professional ice hockey player. He is a member of the Anaheim Ducks organization of the National Hockey League. He is the 23rd California-born hockey player in the NHL and first born and developed player from southern California to play for the Ducks... |
L | 2012 | Los Angeles Los Ángeles Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants... , USA |
| 41 |  |
Richard Lintner Richard Lintner Richard Lintner is a Slovak professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for SaiPa of the Finnish SM-liiga. He previously played in the National Hockey League for the Nashville Predators, New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lintner represented Slovakia at the World Championships every... |
R | 2012 | Trenčín Trencín Trenčín is a city in western Slovakia of the central Váh River valley near the Czech border, around from Bratislava. It has a population of more than 56,000, which makes it the ninth largest municipality of the country and is the seat of the Trenčín Region and the Trenčín District... , Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992... |
| 44 | |
Jarno Lippojoki Jarno Lippojoki Jarno Lippojoki is a Finnish ice hockey defenceman who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
L | 2012 | Imatra Imatra Imatra is a town and municipality in eastern Finland, founded in 1948 around three industrial settlements near the Finnish–Russian border. In the course of the last 50 years, this amorphous group of settlements has grown into a modern industrial town dominated by Lake Saimaa, the Vuoksi River and... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 48 | |
Mikko Pukka Mikko Pukka Mikko Pukka is a Finnish ice hockey defenceman who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
L | 2013 | Suodenniemi Suodenniemi Suodenniemi is a former municipality of southwestern Finland.Suodenniemi was first consolidated into Vammala in 2007. On 1 January 2009, Vammala itself was consolidated with Äetsä and Mouhijärvi to form the new named town of Sastamala.-Geography:... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 49 | |
Simon Backman Simon Backman Simon Backman is a Finnish ice hockey defenceman who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
L | 2012 | Jakobstad Jakobstad Jakobstad is a town and municipality in Ostrobothnia, Finland. The town has a population of and covers a land area of . The population density is .- History :... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 88 |  |
Per Savilahti-Nagander Per Savilahti-Nagander Per Savilahti-Nagander is a Swedish ice hockey defenceman who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
R | 2011 (2012) | Luleå Luleå - Transportation :Local buses are run by .A passenger train service is available from Luleå Centralstation on Sweden's national SJ railway service northbound to Narvik on the Norwegian coast, or southbound to Stockholm. See Rail transport in Sweden.... , Sweden Sweden Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... |
| Forwards | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | |Player | Lower hand | Contract | Place of Birth | |
| 8 | |
Ville Koho Ville Koho Ville Koho is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
L | 2012 | Imatra Imatra Imatra is a town and municipality in eastern Finland, founded in 1948 around three industrial settlements near the Finnish–Russian border. In the course of the last 50 years, this amorphous group of settlements has grown into a modern industrial town dominated by Lake Saimaa, the Vuoksi River and... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 11 | |
Tomi Leivo Tomi Leivo Tomi Leivo is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
L | 2012 | Lappeenranta Lappeenranta Lappeenranta is a city and municipality that resides on the shore of the lake Saimaa in South-Eastern Finland, about from the Russian border. It belongs to the region of South Karelia. With approximately inhabitants Lappeenranta is the largest city in Finland... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 12 | |
Juha Koivisto | R | 2013 | Vantaa Vantaa Vantaa is a city and municipality in Finland. Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen make up the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.Vantaa, with its population of , is the fourth most populated city of Finland. The biggest airport in Finland, the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is located there... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 13 | |
Jesse Mankinen Jesse Mankinen Jesse Mankinen is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
R | 2014 | Lappeenranta Lappeenranta Lappeenranta is a city and municipality that resides on the shore of the lake Saimaa in South-Eastern Finland, about from the Russian border. It belongs to the region of South Karelia. With approximately inhabitants Lappeenranta is the largest city in Finland... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 14 | |
Anssi Löfman Anssi Löfman Anssi Löfman is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
L | 2013 | Lappeenranta Lappeenranta Lappeenranta is a city and municipality that resides on the shore of the lake Saimaa in South-Eastern Finland, about from the Russian border. It belongs to the region of South Karelia. With approximately inhabitants Lappeenranta is the largest city in Finland... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 15 | |
Petri Koskinen Petri Koskinen Petri Koskinen is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
L | 2012 | Tampere Tampere Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It is the most populous inland city in any of the Nordic countries. The city has a population of , growing to approximately 300,000 people in the conurbation and over 340,000 in the metropolitan area. Tampere is the third most-populous municipality in... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 19 | |
Juuso Kaijomaa Juuso Kaijomaa Juuso Kaijomaa is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
L | 2012 | Joensuu Joensuu Joensuu is a city and municipality in North Karelia in eastern Finland. It is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of North Karelia region. It was founded in 1848... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 26 | |
Markku Flinck | L | 2012 | Espoo Espoo Espoo is the second largest city and municipality in Finland. The population of the city of Espoo is . It is part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area along with the cities of Helsinki, Vantaa, and Kauniainen. Espoo shares its eastern border with Helsinki and Vantaa, while enclosing Kauniainen.... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 32 | |
Ville Paalanen | L | 2013 (2014) | Lappeenranta Lappeenranta Lappeenranta is a city and municipality that resides on the shore of the lake Saimaa in South-Eastern Finland, about from the Russian border. It belongs to the region of South Karelia. With approximately inhabitants Lappeenranta is the largest city in Finland... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 37 | |
Juha Kiilholma | L | 2012 | Pori Pori Pori is a city and municipality on the west coast of Finland. The city is located some from the Gulf of Bothnia, on the estuary of the Kokemäenjoki river, which is the largest in Finland. Pori is the most important town in the Satakunta region.... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 40 | |
Jarno Koskiranta Jarno Koskiranta Jarno Koskiranta is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
L | 2012 | Paimio Paimio Paimio is a town and a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Finland Proper region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 43 | |
Antti Aarnio | L | 2012 (2013) | Oulu Oulu Oulu is a city and municipality of inhabitants in the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, in Finland. It is the most populous city in Northern Finland and the sixth most populous city in the country. It is one of the northernmost larger cities in the world.... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 66 |  |
Roberts Jekimovs Roberts Jekimovs Roberts Jekimovs is a Latvian ice hockey forward, currently playing for SaiPa of the Finnish SM-liiga.In 2009 he made his debut in Latvian national team and is included in roster for 2009 world championships.... |
R | try-out | Riga Riga Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,... , Latvia Latvia Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden... |
| 77 | |
Elmeri Kaksonen Elmeri Kaksonen Elmeri Kaksonen is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for SaiPa of the SM-liiga.-External links:... |
L | 2012 | Savonlinna Savonlinna Savonlinna is a town and a municipality of inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "Newcastle".- History :... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
| 82 | |
Jesse Saarinen Jesse Saarinen Jesse Saarinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player. He played with HC Karlovy Vary in the Czech Extraliga during the 2010–11 Czech Extraliga season.-External links:... |
L | 2012 | Lahti Lahti Lahti is a city and municipality in Finland.Lahti is the capital of the Päijänne Tavastia region. It is situated on a bay at the southern end of lake Vesijärvi about north-east of the capital Helsinki... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
Notable players
- Frank BanhamFrank BanhamFrank Banham is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for KHL Medveščak Zagreb.-Playing career:Initially drafted 147th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Banham played 27 regular season games in the NHL for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim scoring 9...
- Niklas BäckströmNiklas BäckströmNiklas Oskar Bäckström is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . He has won both William M. Jennings Trophy and Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award...
- Otakar JaneckýOtakar JaneckýOtakar Janecký is a retired Czech ice hockey forward.In his homeland Janecký represented HC Pardubice, his birthcity team for his entire Czechoslovak Extraliga and Czech Extraliga career....
- Richard LintnerRichard LintnerRichard Lintner is a Slovak professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for SaiPa of the Finnish SM-liiga. He previously played in the National Hockey League for the Nashville Predators, New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lintner represented Slovakia at the World Championships every...
- Vladimir Machulda
- Jussi MarkkanenJussi MarkkanenJussi Markkanen is an ice hockey goaltender for EV Zug of the National League A .-Playing career:Markkanen has played extensively in various European professional leagues as well as the NHL...
- Dale McTavishDale McTavishDale B. McTavish is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played nine games in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames in 1996–97, recording one goal and two assists...
- Jarmo MyllysJarmo MyllysJarmo Myllys is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender. He was drafted by the Minnesota North Stars as their ninth-round pick, #172 overall, in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft...
- Petteri NokelainenPetteri NokelainenPetteri Nokelainen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
- Antti PihlströmAntti PihlströmAntti Pihlström is a Finnish professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for JYP of the Finnish SM-liiga.-Playing career:Pihlström played in Finland's SM-liiga for the Espoo Blues, HPK, and SaiPa...
- Martin RichterMartin RichterMartin Richter is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for HC Kometa Brno in Czech Extraliga.- External links :...
- Timo Saarikoski
- Vesa ViitakoskiVesa ViitakoskiVesa Viitakoski is a professional ice hockey player. As of December, 2009, he is playing for Kärpät in the Finnish SM-liiga.-Career:...
- Rob ZeppRob ZeppRobert Zepp is a Canada-born German professional ice hockey goaltender. He currently plays for Eisbären Berlin of the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga professional hockey league.-Playing career:...
Retired numbers
- 3 - Lalli PartinenLalli PartinenLalli Simo Samuli Partinen is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for HIFK and SaiPa. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987.-External links:*...
- 9 - Petri SkrikoPetri SkrikoPetri Kalevi Skriko is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey player, best remembered for his seasons starring in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks in the 1980s...
- 20 - Heikki Mälkiä (his son Simo is allowed to use that number)