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]

Riikka Nieminen Award
Riikka Nieminen -palkinto (Finnish)
SportIce hockey
LeagueNaisten Liiga
Awarded forPlayer of the Year
Presented byFinnish Ice Hockey Association
History
First award2008
First winnerMichelle Karvinen
Most winsJenni Hiirikoski (5)
Most recentElisa Holopainen, 2024

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, 2020–21 season, 2022–23 season, and 2023–24 season. The only goaltender to have won the award is Anni Keisala in the 2021–22 season.

Award winners

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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]
2022–23 Elisa Holopainen KalPa Kuopio [8]
2023–24 Elisa Holopainen KalPa Kuopio [9]

Source: Elite Prospects[10]

All time award recipients

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Player Wins Year(s) won
Jenni Hiirikoski 5 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Elisa Holopainen 4 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
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

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  1. ^ Foster, Meredith (15 June 2019). "Team Finland legend Riikka Sallinen retires". The Ice Garden. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Legends of Hockey: Profiles of Notable Women in Hockey". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  3. ^ Seppänen, Antti, ed. (2 May 2018). "Liiga palkitsi kauden 2017–18 parhaat – tässä palkittujen lista". Liiga (in Finnish). Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  4. ^ Mennander, Pasi (12 June 2019). "Leijonat - Tupu, Hupu ja Lupu jälleen yhdessä! Palkitsivat parhaat hyökkääjät Jääkiekkogaalassa". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  5. ^ Mennander, Pasi (23 March 2020). "Naisten Liigan kauden 2019–20 palkitut pelaajat ja tähtikentät". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  6. ^ Mennander, Pasi (15 March 2021). "Naisten Liigan kauden 2020–21 palkitut pelaajat ja tähtikentät". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  7. ^ Mennander, Pasi (13 June 2022). "Naisten Liigan kauden 2021–22 palkitut pelaajat ja tähtikentät". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  8. ^ Mennander, Pasi (10 June 2023). "Naisten Liigan kauden 2022–23 palkitut pelaajat, valmentajat ja tuomarit". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Awards - Naisten Liiga (W) Best Player (Riikka Nieminen Award)". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 30 October 2023.