Born: 1973 (Finland)
Biography:
Hanna-Riikka Sallinen, also known as Riikka Sallinen, was born on June 12, 1973, in Finland. Throughout her career, she made significant contributions to the sports of ice hockey, bandy, rinkball, and pesäpallo. Sallinen is widely recognized as one of the most highly decorated players in international ice hockey history.
Sallinen’s remarkable career spanned sixteen seasons with the Finland women’s national ice hockey team. She achieved numerous accolades, including two Olympic bronze medals, one World Championship silver, and six bronze medals, as well as three European Championship gold medals. Sallinen’s achievements place her among the elite group of highly accomplished players in the sport.
In 2007, Sallinen received a prestigious honor when she was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame. Alongside defenseman Marianne Ihalainen, she became one of the first two women to receive this recognition. This notable achievement signifies her profound impact on the sport of ice hockey in Finland.
Furthermore, Sallinen’s contributions to the sport were internationally recognized when she was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Hall of Fame on May 21, 2010, in Cologne, Germany. She became only the fourth woman and the first European woman to receive this esteemed honor. This induction exemplifies her exceptional skill, dedication, and influence on ice hockey as a whole.
Sallinen’s impact on the ice hockey world extends beyond her personal achievements. She holds the distinction of being the leading all-time European scorer in both World Championships and Olympics, an impressive feat that demonstrates her prowess as a player. Additionally, her bronze medal at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang saw her become the oldest player to ever win an Olympic medal in ice hockey. This historic achievement reflects her longevity and continued success in the sport.
In 2022, Sallinen further solidified her legacy when she became the ninth woman named to the Hockey Hall of Fame. As the first woman not born in North America to receive this honor, she has paved the way for future generations of female players. Her induction into this prestigious institution showcases her impact on the sport and her lasting legacy in women’s ice hockey.
Sallinen began her ice hockey playing career in the Naisten SM-sarja, the top women’s ice hockey league in Finland. She played eleven seasons in the league and achieved great success, winning the Finnish Championship five times. Throughout her Naisten SM-sarja career, Sallinen accumulated an impressive 395 points, scoring 201 goals and providing 194 assists in just 135 regular season games. In the playoffs, she showcased her skill by scoring 86 points in 41 games.
After her successful stint in the Naisten SM-sarja, Sallinen joined HV71 in the SDHL (Swedish Women’s Hockey League) in 2016. She captained the team from 2017 to 2019 and made significant contributions, scoring a total of 119 points in 92 games. However, her career faced a temporary setback when she was suspended for four games during the 2018-2019 playoffs for bodychecking an opponent.
In April 2019, following her achievement of a silver medal at the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship, Sallinen announced her retirement from competitive play at the age of 46. Her retirement marked the end of a remarkable career that showcased her passion, perseverance, and exceptional skills on the ice.
Awards:
– Two Olympic bronze medals
– One World Championship silver medal
– Six World Championship bronze medals
– Three European Championship gold medals
– Inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007
– Inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2010
– Bronze medal at the 2018 Olympics, becoming the oldest player to win an Olympic medal in ice hockey
– Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022, being the first woman not born in North America to receive this honor.