Tappara is an ice hockey

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 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 in 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...

 at Tampereen jäähalli

Tampereen jäähalli

Tampereen jäähalli is a sports arena in Tampere, Finland. It is primarily used for ice hockey, and is the home arena of Ilves and Tappara of the SM-liiga...

. The team have won 15 league championships (1953, 1954, 1955, 1959, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 2003).

Early days

The team currently known as Tappara was established in 1932 as Tammerfors Bollklubb (TBK). The team then consisted of players from the Swedish school in Tampere. The first official game was played in 1934. The team was promoted to the Finnish premier league for the first time for the 1942-43 season, and the team's first win was gained against Tarmo Hämeenlinna in January 1943. In 1946, the team won its first medal, bronze medal, as it finished third in the league, despite losing 19-4 to local rivals Ilves, which ended up as the champions.

The first period of success (1953-1964)

The first notable period of success took place in early 50's, as TBK won three consecutive national championships in 1953-1955. In 1955, the team changed its original Swedish name to the Finnish Tappara in order to attract Finnish-speaking players. After that, the team went on to win three further championships (1959, 1961, and 1964), three second places (1958, 1960, and 1963), and three third places (1956, 1957, and 1962) in just nine years. Their winning streak was followed by a more silent period, with Tappara even playing one season (1965-1966) at the second highest level, gaining immediate promotion back to the top flight. A new arena "Tampereen jäähalli" was built in Hakametsä, Tampere to host the 1965 world championships. After the games the venue became the home arena of Tappara and their local rivals, Ilves and Koo-Vee and Tappara still play their home games there today.

The second period of success (1975-1988)

Tappara fans had to wait until mid-seventies until Tappara started to be successful again, thanks to some legendary players such as goalkeeper Antti Leppänen and defender Pekka Marjamäki. The bronze medals in 1973 and silver medals in 1974 were followed by the Finnish championship in 1975. This time, the successful period was even longer than the first period of glory in the 50's and early sixties. Tappara also won the Finnish championships in 1977, 1979, 1982, 1984, and the long streak was finished by winning three consecutive championships in 1986-1988.
Many fans regard the Tappara team of the late 1980's - coached by Rauno Korpi

Rauno Korpi

Rauno "Rane" Korpi is a Finnish ice hockey coach. He coached Tappara to three consecutive Finnish Championships in SM-liiga during the years 1986-1988. He has also won one additional Finnish Championship Gold, one Silver medal and one Bronze medal. Korpi has been chosen three times as The Coach of...

 - as their strongest of all time. Behind the senior players such as Timo Susi and Erkki Lehtonen, the likes of Teppo Numminen (a long-term defender in NHL) and Janne Ojanen (Tappara icon) leaded the way for new talented youngsters. In 1988, the Finland national team gained its first success by winning the Olympic silver medal in Calgary, and Tappara players formed a substantial part of the Finnish team. Tappara players Erkki Lehtonen and Janne Ojanen were the goal scorers for Finland in a decisive win against Soviet Union.

The recent days

During the 1990's Tappara did not gain any notable success besides finishing third in league in spring 1990. In 1992, the once so mighty team even had to fight for its place at the top level in relegation playoffs against Oulun Kärpät. A glimpse of glory was, however, achieved on international level, as Tappara player Timo Jutila captained the Finnish national team to win the ice hockey world championship in 1995. In the early 2000's Tappara played some good seasons, winning silver medals in both 2001 and 2002. In 2003 - to the surprise of many - Tappara won their latest Finnish championships so far, coached by Jukka Rautakorpi. The most recent success of the team is the third place gained in 2008. In 2010, Tappara is leading the all time points table of the Finnish premier level hockey, before TPS Turku.

Current roster

Goaltenders
Number		|Player	Shoots	Contract	Place of birth
1		Mikael Edelmann	L	Junior	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...
39		Jani Nieminen Jani Nieminen Jani Nieminen is a Finnish ice hockey goaltender who currently plays professionally in Finland for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	L	2013	Helsinki Helsinki Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki 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...
77		Juha Metsola Juha Metsola Juha Metsola is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for Tappara of the SM-liiga.- External links:...	L	2014	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...

Defenders
Number		|Player	Shoots	Contract	Place of birth
5		Joonas Liimatainen Joonas Liimatainen Joonas Liimatainen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who played with Tappara in the SM-liiga during the 2010-11 season.-External links:...	L	Junior	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...
6		Pekka Saravo Pekka Saravo Pekka Saravo is a Finnish professional ice hockey defender who is currently playing for the Tappara of the SM-liiga.-Playing career:...	L	2015	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...
9		Juha Leimu Juha Leimu Juha Leimu is a Finnish professional ice hockey defender who is currently playing for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-Playing career:...	L	2013	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...
13		Aleksi Elorinne Aleksi Elorinne Aleksi Elorinne is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who played with Tappara in the SM-liiga during the 2010-11 season.-External links:...	L	2012+2	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...
15		Jussi Halme Jussi Halme Jussi Halme is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	L	2013	Nokia, 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...
24		Viktor Ekbom Viktor Ekbom Viktor Ekbom is a Swedish professional ice hockey Defenseman currently with Tappara of the Finnish SM-liiga.-Playing career:Ekbom was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 6th round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft....	L	2013	Falköping Falköping Falköping is a locality and the seat of Falköping Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden. It had 15,821 inhabitants in 2005.-History:The city of Falköping most likely emerged during the 15th century but earlier the town was an important site of pilgrimage due to its 12th century church... , 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....
25		Tommi Kovanen Tommi Kovanen Tommi Kovanen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	L	2011	Pieksämäki Pieksämäki Pieksämäki is a town and municipality of Finland. Its original name was Haukivuori .It is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of the Southern Savonia region.The town has a population of and covers an area of of which is water... , 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		Jan Platil Jan Platil Jan Platil is a professional ice hockey player, who is currently contracted with Tappara.-Draft:He was drafted in the seventh round, 218 th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft....	L	2011	Kladno Kladno Kladno is a city in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It is located 25 km northwest of Prague. Kladno is the largest city of the region and holds a population together with its adjacent suburban areas of more than 110,000 people... , 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...
56		Kalle Kaijomaa Kalle Kaijomaa Kalle Kaijomaa is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	L	2013	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...
71		Otto Räty	L	Junior	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...

Forwards
Number		|Player	Shoots	Position	Contract	Place of birth
11		Miikka Männikkö Miikka Männikkö Miikka Männikkö is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	R	W	2013	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...
14		Nestori Lähde Nestori Lähde Nestori Lähde is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	L	RW	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...
16		Joey Tenute Joey Tenute Joey Tenute is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Tappara of the SM-liiga.-Playing career:...	L	C	2012+1	Hamilton Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe... , Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
17		Aleksander Barkov	L	C	Junior	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		Tuomas Vänttinen Tuomas Vänttinen Tuomas Vänttinen is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	R	C	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...
21		Jerry Ahtola Jerry Ahtola Jerry Ahtola is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	L	W	2012	Turku Turku Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest 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		Kim Strömberg Kim Strömberg Kim Strömberg is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	L	W	2012	Helsinki Helsinki Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki 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...
23		Jarkko Pyymäki	L	W	2012	Nokia Nokia Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's 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...
26		Teemu Tallberg Teemu Tallberg Teemu Tallberg is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	L	W	2012	Helsinki Helsinki Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki 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...
27		Tomi Pekkala Tomi Pekkala Tomi Pekkala is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	L	W	2012 (2014)	Liminka Liminka Liminka is a municipality in the Northern Ostrobothnia region, in the province of Oulu, in Finland. Founded in 1477, Liminka is located about south of Oulu.The municipality has a population of and covers an area of ofwhich is water... , 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...
34		Olli Palola Olli Palola Olli Palola is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	R	W	2012	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...
38		Sami Venäläinen Sami Venäläinen Sami Venäläinen is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for TPS of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	R	W	2013	Ruovesi Ruovesi Ruovesi is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the Pirkanmaa region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is .The municipality is unilingually Finnish.... , 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...
44		Jan-Mikael Järvinen	L	C	2012+1	Pirkkala Pirkkala Pirkkala is a municipality of Finland.It is located some south-west from Tampere in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Pirkanmaa 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...
52		Arttu Ilomäki	R	W	Junior	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...
74		Antti Erkinjuntti Antti Erkinjuntti Antti Erkinjuntti is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	L	W	2013	Turku Turku Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest 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...
81		Jukka Peltola Jukka Peltola Jukka Peltola is a Finnish ice hockey player who currently plays professionally in Finland for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	L	LW	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...
85		Jussi Makkonen Jussi Makkonen Jussi Makkonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who currently plays for Tappara of the SM-liiga.-External links:...	L	W	2013+1	Turku Turku Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest 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...

Notable players

• Seppo Ahokainen
  Seppo Ahokainen
  Seppo Ahokainen is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Ilves and Tappara. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993.-External links:*...
  
  
• Jukka Alkula
• Pertti Ansakorpi
• Aleksandr Barkov
• Tom Bissett
  Tom Bissett
  Tom Bissett is a retired ice hockey left winger. In the 1990–91 season, he played in 5 NHL games for the Detroit Red Wings and he did not register a point.-External links:...
  
  
• Luciano Borsato
  Luciano Borsato
  Luciano Roberto Borsato is a retired Canadian professional hockey centre who played 5 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Winnipeg Jets.-Playing career:...
  
  
• Alain Côté
• Dale Clarke
  Dale Clarke
  Dale Clarke is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing for Espoo Blues in Elitserien.Clarke played three games in the National Hockey League for the St. Louis Blues...
  
  
• Thomas Draper
  Tom Draper
  Thomas Edward Draper is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He was chosen in the eighth round, 165th overall,and the 8th pick by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. On February 28, 1991 the Jets traded Tom to the St. Louis Blues for future considerations...
  
  
• Jonas Enlund
  Jonas Enlund
  Jonas Enlund is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, currently playing for HC Sibir Novosibirsk in the Russian KHL.- Career :...
  
  
• Theoren Fleury
  Theoren Fleury
  Theoren Wallace "Theo" Fleury is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League , Tappara of Finland's SM-liiga, and the Belfast Giants of the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League...
  
  
• Jari Grönstrand
  Jari Grönstrand
  Jari Grönstrand is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League and SM-Liiga. He played for Tappara, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, and Quebec Nordiques.- External links :...
  
  
• Janne Grönvall
  Janne Grönvall
  Janne Grönvall is a professional Finnish ice hockey player.He is currently playing for Tappara in the Finnish SM-Liiga. This is his third stint with the club. He first joined them in 1992, when he left Lukko Rauma. In 1994 he left them for AHL club St...
  
  
• Steve Guolla
  Steve Guolla
  Stephen Guolla is a Canadian ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Atlanta Thrashers and the New Jersey Devils....
  
  
• Hannu Haapalainen
  Hannu Haapalainen
  Hannu Haapalainen was a Finnish professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara and KooVee and won five league championships. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992....
  
  
• Greg Hawgood
  Greg Hawgood
  Gregory William Hawgood is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars.-Playing...
  
  
• Kari Heikkinen
• Martti Jarkko
  Martti Jarkko
  Martti Jarkko is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara and TPS in Finland and Iserlohner EC in Germany. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993.-External links:*...
  
  
• Timo Jutila
  Timo Jutila
  Timo Juhani Jutila is a retired Finnish ice hockey defenceman.Jutila was drafted by Buffalo Sabres in 1982 NHL Entry Draft.-Playing career:...
  
  
• Pauli Järvinen

• Hannu Kamppuri
  Hannu Kamppuri
  Hannu Juhani Kamppuri is a former professional ice hockey goaltender. Kamppuri was an accomplished SM-liiga goaltender, but is probably best known in North America for being one of the first Finnish goaltenders to compete in the National Hockey League, where he played 13 games for the New Jersey...
  
  
• Aleksandrs Kerčs
  Aleksandrs Kercs
  Alexander Kerch is a professional ice hockey left wing, currently playing in Latvian hockey league club DHK Latgale.- Career :...
  
  
• Pertti Koivulahti
  Pertti Koivulahti
  Pertti Koivulahti is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992.-External links:*...
  
  
• Petri Kontiola
  Petri Kontiola
  Petri Kontiola is a professional ice hockey player for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.-Playing career:...
  
  
• Jiří Kučera
• Arto Kulmala
• Valeri Krykov
• Pekka Laksola
• Jori Lehterä
  Jori Lehterä
  Jori Lehterä is a Finnish professional ice hockey centre. He was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the 3rd round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft...
  
  
• Tero Lehterä
  Tero Lehterä
  Tero Lehterä is a retired professional ice hockey player who played the majority of his career in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara, Jokerit, HPK, and Espoo Blues. He also had stints in Elitserien, the IHL, Russia, Switzerland and Germany...
  
  
• Mika Lehto
• Antero Lehtonen
  Antero Lehtonen
  Antero Lehtonen is a former Finnish ice hockey player who played a season in the National Hockey League with the Washington Capitals during the 1979–80 NHL season.-External links:*...
  
  
• Erkki Lehtonen
  Erkki Lehtonen
  Erkki Lehtonen is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997. He also won a silver medal at the 1988 Winter Olympics.-External links:*...
  
  
• Mikko Leinonen
  Mikko Leinonen
  Simo Yrjänä "Mikko" Leinonen is a retired Finnish Ice hockey player and currently the chief executive of Finnish elite league SM-liiga team Tappara. He played 162 games in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals...
  
  
• Antti Leppänen
  Antti Leppänen
  Antti Leppänen is a retired professional ice hockey goalkeeper who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990.-External links:*...
  
  
• Lasse Litma
  Lasse Litma
  Lasse Litma is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1994.-External links:*...
  
  
• Mikko Luoma
  Mikko Luoma
  Mikko Luoma is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing with HV71 in the Elitserien.-Playing career:...
  
  
• Toni Lydman
  Toni Lydman
  Toni Lydman is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman with the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. He has previously played for the Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Tappara , and HIFK . He lives with his wife Heta and his two daughters, Amanda and Ellen...
  
  
• Pekka Marjamäki
  Pekka Marjamäki
  Pekka Tapani Marjamäki is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990.-External links:*...
  
  

• 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...
  
  
• Jiří Marusak
  Jiří Marusak
  Jiří Marušák is Czech professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for Metallurg Novokuznetsk of the Kontinental Hockey League .-External links:...
  
  
• Markus Mattsson
  Markus Mattsson
  Markus Mattsson is a former professional ice hockey goaltender. He was one of the first goaltenders in the NHL from Finland. He is also the goalie who ended Wayne Gretzky's 51-game point streak in 1983–84....
  
  
• Derek Mayer
  Derek Mayer
  Derek Mayer is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. He played 17 games for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He was also a member of the Canadian team at the 1994 Olympics...
  
  
• Roman Meluzín
  Roman Meluzín
  Roman Meluzín is a Czech professional ice hockey player who played with HC Slovan Bratislava in the Slovak Extraliga.Previously he played for HC Zlín, Tappara Tampere, HC Oceláři Třinec and HC Kometa Brno.-External links:...
  
  
• Reijo Mikkolainen
  Reijo Mikkolainen
  Reijo Mikkolainen is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He won a silver medal with the Finland team at the 1988 Winter Olympics.He played for Tappara, Ilves, and TPS. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005.-External links:*...
  
  
• Tuukka Mäntylä
  Tuukka Mäntylä
  Tuukka Matias Mäntylä is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays with HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the Kontinental Hockey League...
  
  
• Jason Muzzatti
  Jason Muzzatti
  Jason Mark Muzzatti is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender and now head coach of Flint Generals.-Playing career:...
  
  
• Esko Niemi
  Esko Niemi
  Esko Ilmari Niemi is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara and TPS. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985.-External links:*...
  
  
• Ville Nieminen
  Ville Nieminen
  Ville Nieminen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for Dinamo Riga of the Kontinental Hockey League.-Playing career:...
  
  
• Mika Noronen
  Mika Noronen
  Mika Noronen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender, currently playing for Lukko of SM-liiga.- Career :...
  
  
• Kalevi Numminen
  Kalevi Numminen
  Veijo Kalevi Numminen is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara...
  
  
• Teppo Numminen
  Teppo Numminen
  Teppo Kalevi Numminen is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League. He is currently an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres.-Playing career:...
  
  
• Oiva Oijennus
• Janne Ojanen
  Janne Ojanen
  Janne Juhani Ojanen is a professional ice hockey player who is best known from his long time in SM-liiga team Tappara from Tampere.-Early Career in Finland:...
  
  
• Mike O'Neill
  Mike O'Neill (ice hockey)
  Michael Anthony O'Neill is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender.-Playing career:O'Neill played four years at Yale University before spending the 1989–90 season with Tappara Tampere of the SM-liiga. He was drafted 15th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1988 NHL Supplemental Draft while he...
  
  
• Mikko Peltola
• Pasi Petriläinen
  Pasi Petriläinen
  Pasi Petriläinen is a Finnish ice hockey defenceman currently playing for France team Etoile Noire de Strasbourg who play in the Ligue Magnus.-Playing career:...
  
  
• Lasse Pirjetä
  Lasse Pirjetä
  Lasse Pirjetä is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for Pelicans in the Finnish SM-liiga...
  
  

• Esa Pirnes
  Esa Pirnes
  Esa Pirnes is a Finnish professional ice hockey centre.- Draft :He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft in the 6th round as the 174th pick overall.-Playing career:...
  
  
• Jukka Porvari
  Jukka Porvari
  Jukka Porvari is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga and National Hockey League. He played for Tappara, TPS, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Rockies. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1994...
  
  
• Pasi Puistola
  Pasi Puistola
  Pasi Puistola is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently with the HV71 team in the Swedish Elitserien league.- References :...
  
  
• Andrew Raycroft
  Andrew Raycroft
  Andrew Joseph Ernest Raycroft is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Boston Bruins 135th overall in 1998, he won the Calder Trophy with the club in 2004 as rookie of the year...
  
  
• Matti Rintakoski
  Matti Rintakoski
  Matti Erik Rintakoski was a professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tarmo. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985.-External links:*...
  
  
• Anssi Salmela
  Anssi Salmela
  Anssi Salmela is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Playing career:...
  
  
• Pekka Saravo
  Pekka Saravo
  Pekka Saravo is a Finnish professional ice hockey defender who is currently playing for the Tappara of the SM-liiga.-Playing career:...
  
  
• Bedřich Ščerban
  Bedrich Šcerban
  Bedřich Ščerban is a Czech former professional ice hockey defenceman.Ščerban began his career with HC Dukla Jihlava of the Czech Extraliga in 1986. In 1991, he moved to Finland's SM-liiga, spending one season with Tappara before moving the Sweden's Elitserien with Brynäs IF...
  
  
• Jorma Sevon
• Jaromír Šindel
• Mike Stapleton
  Mike Stapleton
  Michael P. Stapleton is a retired National Hockey League hockey player who played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Atlanta Thrashers, New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks. He is the son of former NHL defenceman and 1972 Summit...
  
  
• Timo Susi
  Timo Susi
  Timo Susi is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.-External links:*...
  
  
• Jussi Tarvainen
• Pertti Valkeapää
  Pertti Valkeapää
  Pertti Valkeapää is a retired professional ice hockey player who played for Tappara in the SM-liiga. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992.-External links:*...
  
  
• Ari Vallin
  Ari Vallin
  Ari Vallin is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman, currently with Espoo Blues of SM-Liiga. Ari Vallin was the player who shot the sudden death goal in 2003-2004 SM-liiga playoff finals in Finland against TPS in overtime therefore making the Kärpät team the new champions.-External links:...
  
  
• Jarkko Varvio
  Jarkko Varvio
  Jarkko Varvio is a Finnish ice hockey player who had a very brief stint in the NHL. Varvio was drafted by Minnesota North Stars in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. However, his only two active seasons in the NHL were in 1993-94 and 1994-95 with the Dallas Stars...
  
  
• Timo Vertala
• 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:...
  
  
• Stefan Öhman
  Stefan Öhman
  Stefan Öhman is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for Espoo Blues of the SM-liiga.-External links:...
  
  

Retired numbers

• 2 - Kalevi Numminen
  Kalevi Numminen
  Veijo Kalevi Numminen is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara...
  
  
• 3 - Pekka Marjamäki
  Pekka Marjamäki
  Pekka Tapani Marjamäki is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990.-External links:*...
  
  
• 7 - Timo Jutila
  Timo Jutila
  Timo Juhani Jutila is a retired Finnish ice hockey defenceman.Jutila was drafted by Buffalo Sabres in 1982 NHL Entry Draft.-Playing career:...
  
  
• 8 - Janne Ojanen
  Janne Ojanen
  Janne Juhani Ojanen is a professional ice hockey player who is best known from his long time in SM-liiga team Tappara from Tampere.-Early Career in Finland:...
  
  
• 10 - Timo Susi
  Timo Susi
  Timo Susi is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.-External links:*...
  
  
• 69 - Uimalakki

Trivia

The goal song of the team has been "Live Is Life

Live Is Life

"Live Is Life" is a popular song originally recorded in 1984 by Austrian pop-rock group Opus. It was successful and was covered by many artists throughout the years.-Background and writing:...

" by Opus

Opus (band)

Opus is a pop-rock group from Graz, Austria. Formed in 1973, the group remains active today. The band is especially well known for its 1985 single release, "Live Is Life."-History:...

since the 1980's.

External links

• Tappara official web site