Riikka Nieminen Award
The Riikka Nieminen Award (Finnish: Riikka Nieminen -palkinto) is an ice hockey trophy, seasonally awarded by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association to the Naisten Liiga Player of the Year. It is named after Riikka Sallinen (née Nieminen), now retired, who is widely considered the best European women’s ice hockey player to ever compete internationally.[1][2]
| Sport | Ice hockey |
|---|---|
| League | Naisten Liiga |
| Awarded for | Player of the Year |
| Presented by | Finnish Ice Hockey Association |
| History | |
| First award | 2008 |
| First winner | Michelle Karvinen |
| Most wins | Jenni Hiirikoski (5) |
| Most recent | Anni Keisala, 2022 |
The trophy was first awarded for the 2008–09 season and Michelle Karvinen of the Espoo Blues was the first recipient. Jenni Hiirikoski is the only defenceman to ever win the trophy and holds the record for most wins, with five. Elisa Holopainen is the only other player to have claimed the trophy more than once, winning it in the 2018–19 season and 2020–21 season. Anni Keisala is the current title holder after winning the Riikka Nieminen Award for the 2021–22 season, becoming the first goaltender to do so.
Award winners
| Season | Winner | Team | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | Michelle Karvinen | Espoo Blues | |
| 2009–10 | Jenni Hiirikoski | Ilves Tampere | |
| 2010–11 | Anne Helin | Kärpät Oulu | |
| 2011–12 | Nina Tikkinen | Kärpät Oulu | |
| 2012–13 | Jenni Hiirikoski | JYP Jyväskylä | |
| 2013–14 | Jenni Hiirikoski | JYP Jyväskylä | |
| 2014–15 | Jenni Hiirikoski | JYP Jyväskylä | |
| 2015–16 | Jenni Hiirikoski | JYP Jyväskylä | |
| 2016–17 | Isa Rahunen | Kärpät Oulu | |
| 2017–18 | Linda Välimäki | Ilves Tampere | [3] |
| 2018–19 | Elisa Holopainen | KalPa Kuopio | [4] |
| 2019–20 | Tanja Niskanen | KalPa Kuopio | [5] |
| 2020–21 | Elisa Holopainen | KalPa Kuopio | [6] |
| 2021–22 | Anni Keisala | Ilves Tampere | [7] |
Source: Elite Prospects[8]
All time award recipients
| Player | Wins | Year(s) won |
|---|---|---|
| Jenni Hiirikoski | 5 | 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| Elisa Holopainen | 2 | 2019, 2021 |
| Anne Helin | 1 | 2011 |
| Michelle Karvinen | 1 | 2009 |
| Anni Keisala | 1 | 2022 |
| Tanja Niskanen | 1 | 2020 |
| Isa Rahunen | 1 | 2017 |
| Nina Tikkinen | 1 | 2012 |
| Linda Välimäki | 1 | 2018 |
References
- Foster, Meredith (15 June 2019). "Team Finland legend Riikka Sallinen retires". The Ice Garden. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- "Legends of Hockey: Profiles of Notable Women in Hockey". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Seppänen, Antti, ed. (2 May 2018). "Liiga palkitsi kauden 2017–18 parhaat – tässä palkittujen lista". liiga.fi (in Finnish). Liiga. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Mennander, Pasi (12 June 2019). "Leijonat - Tupu, Hupu ja Lupu jälleen yhdessä! Palkitsivat parhaat hyökkääjät Jääkiekkogaalassa". www.leijonat.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Mennander, Pasi (23 March 2020). "Naisten Liigan kauden 2019–20 palkitut pelaajat ja tähtikentät". leijonat.fi (in Finnish). Finnish Ice Hockey Association. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Mennander, Pasi (15 March 2021). "Naisten Liigan kauden 2020–21 palkitut pelaajat ja tähtikentät". leijonat.fi (in Finnish). Finnish Ice Hockey Association. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
- Mennander, Pasi (13 June 2022). "Naisten Liigan kauden 2021–22 palkitut pelaajat ja tähtikentät". leijonat.fi (in Finnish). Finnish Ice Hockey Association. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- "Naisten Liiga (W) Best Player (Riikka Nieminen Award)". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 16 March 2021.