#anni keisala

[auroraliiga]

Hyvää syntymäpäivää, Anni! Happy Birthday, Anni!

[grantmentis]

Women’s hockey news round up: May 8-19

Note that I don’t cover every transaction with this and try just to keep to the most “notable,” and also miss some things. There’s also some news that doesn’t have English sources and I do mg best to translate - if I messed up lmk!

PWHL (USA/Canada)

Head coach Howie Draper parts ways with PWHL New York and heads back to university of Alberta, but will still be an advisor

Abigail Boreen will not be available for PWHL Minnesota this finals, as she was a reserve player and they can only sign for one playoff series

Bauer will be the official jersey partner for 2025

Notable draft declarations: Klará Peslarová (confirmed), Anna Meixner (confirmed), Noemi Neubauerová (confirmed), Lottie Odnoga (confirmed - her SDHL contract has an opt out clause), Laura Kluge (rumored), Amanda kessel (rumored)

Forward of the year nominees: Alex carpenter, Marie-Philip Poulin, Natalie Spooner

Coach of the year nominees: Kori Cheverie (MTL), Courtney Kessel (BOS) & Troy Ryan (TOR)

Rookie of the year Alina Müller, Emma Maltais, and Grace Zumwinkle

Defender of the year, goalie of the year, and MVP finalists TBA

SDHL (Sweden)

(Important to note, for all contracts for SDHL and the other following leagues here I am unsure if they include opt out clauses for the PWHL unless stated otherwise)

Core players Mathea Fischers and Kayleigh Hamers extend with SDE

Danish national team head coach Mikkel Ry Nielsen was hired by Skellefteå AIK

Long time SDHL defender and Swedish national team player Linnéa Andersson extends with MoDo Hockey

18 year old Finnish national team star Sanni Vanhanen joins Brynäs after playing the last few years in Finland

Danish national team star who’s played in Sweden for some past seasons, Nicoline Söndergaard Jensen, joins Skellefteå AIK

Finnish national team center Jenniina Nylund returns to Brynäs

Naisten Liiga (Finland)

League announced that Next year, semifinals and finals will be best of seven instead of best of five

HIFK goaltender Kiia Lahtinen departs to play for university of Maine

Emma and Lida Lappalainen, sisters who played together in Roki and on the Finnish u18 team, are headed to HIFK

16 year old Italian forward, who played on both italys u18 team and senior team last year, Manuela Heidenberger, is headed to HPK

National team goaltender Anni Keisala returns to the league after playing in Sweden last year, now joining HPK

SWHL A/ Postfinance Women League (Switzerland)

Three Solid USports players join HC Davos Ladies: Elizabeth Lang, Courtney Kollman, and Joelle Fiala

HC Davos is also parting ways with their coach, Andrea Kröni, who plans to still have other involvement in the organization

Not May news, but I believe I missed it in my April round up and it’s important to note - HC Ladies Lugano has officially folded. They folded last year, were able to revive for a bit, then ran out of money. Truly heartbreaking, they were one of the most successful on ice teams in the SWHL’s history

[klingb3rg]

Now that a little time has passed and the super intense emotions from the PHF buyout aren’t quite so raw, I’ve come to the conclusion that this was the worst execution for the best long-term outcome. I’m still crushed and angry and unspeakably sad for what has been turned upside down or lost for so many people but the fact that something like this was even possible bares the stark truth that the PHF model gave players no agency over their livelihoods and was ultimately exploitative.

To clear the air, my issues with the PWHPA as a league were rooted in the 'best of the best' attitude presented by both the players and the press, which slighted PHF players and literally every player not from Canada or the United States (or named Noora Räty). I’m a Finnish woho fan and the constant barrage of "the PWHPA has all the best players in the world" felt so fundamentally disrespectful – are Jenni Hiirikoski and Michelle Karvinen and Anni Keisala and Petra Nieminen (all of whom have been World Championship All-Stars within the past five years) not ALSO some of the best in the world? The exclusive focus on Canadian and US players was a huge turn-off for me personally and I was never invested in the showcases, though I don’t doubt they put on consistently solid shows.

However! Shortly after the PHF buyout, we learned that the PWHPA also has a union and I support the shit out of that. The PWHPA wasn’t a union when it was created in 2019 but the association has operated a 97-member union since January 2023. The union recently drafted the first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in the history of women's professional ice hockey, which includes provisions that are essential to the welfare of players and will help prevent what happened in the fallout of the collapse of the CWHL and the buyout of the PHF from happening again. This work is absolutely necessary and cannot be overlooked. Is the CBA perfect? No, it’s not. But it guarantees the players a seat at the table from now on and that is worth so, so much.

[womenshockeyworld]

wHw Team 2023/24

SDHL

AIK: Becky Brown, Emily Rickwood

BIF: Noemi Neubauerová

DIF: Anneke Linser

FHC: -

HV71: Tea Nyberg, Anni Keisala

LIF: Emilie Kruse Johanssen, Nathalie Carlsson Mattila

LHC: -

LHF: -

MODO: Andrea Brändli

SDE: Viktorie Švejdová

NAISTEN LIIGA

[vhlofficial]

#HELRvsNWOW PREVIEW!

Today´s VWHL game between Hell Rats and Night Wolves W will be so interesting to watch, a lot of top tier goal scorers, elite players, but mainly two fantastic goalies: Anni Keisala vs Miia Vainio!

Finnish matchup in the net will be the main reason why to watch today´s game for us. Stats look better for Keisala so far this season, but she played in only one game this season. Vainio picked up two wins, and has 1.02 goals agains average, which is one of the best in the league. "Today’s match is going to be tough game for us so I hope that we succeed as a team and we win the game. I hope my saves will help team to achieve our target and win this game", Vainio says.

That´s it for the preview, don´t forget to tune in at 19:00 CET on Twitch!

[liigainenglish]

Team Finland women’s team for Swedish tournament

GOALTENDERS 1 Ahola Sanni, St. Cloud State Univ. USA 36 Keisala Anni, HV71 Jönköping SWE

DEFENCE 2 Karjalainen Sini, Univ. of Vermont USA 4 Lindstedt Rosa, Brynäs IF SWE 5 Yrjölä Siiri, HIFK Helsinki 6 Hiirikoski Jenni, Luleå HF SWE 7 Rantala Sanni, KalPa Kuopio 8 Viitasuo Ella, HV71 SWE 14 Parkkonen Krista, Univ. of Vermont USA 88 Savolainen Ronja, Luleå HF SWE

FORWARDS 10 Holopainen Elisa, KalPa Kuopio 15 Havana Oona, Kärpät Oulu 16 Nieminen Petra, Luleå HF SWE 19 Rakkolainen Emmi, Kiekko-Espoo 20 Antti-Roiko Anna-Kaisa, Kärpät Oulu 22 Pirttijärvi Jenna, Luleå HF SWE 24 Vainikka Viivi, Luleå HF SWE 26 Säkkinen Sara, AIK Stockholm SWE 27 Montonen Anni, Kiekko-Espoo 28 Nylund Jenniina, St. Cloud State Univ. USA 32 Vesa Emilia, HIFK Helsinki 40 Tulus Noora, Luleå HF SWE 91 Liikala Julia, HIFK Helsinki

[rask]

bronze medal match - feb 16, 2022

finland vs switzerland

[jockcoded]

Olympic WoHo Newsletter 2/5

The 2022 Beijing games roll on, and we’re beginning to really get a feel for the field here! Also, I know this isn't anything fancy or official, but I really do appreciate everyone who’s interacted with this. I know I’m having a lot  of fun here.

NEWS

Canada’s Melodie Daoust, injured against Switzerland, is expected to return before the tournament ends. She’s currently considered day to day.

Sweden’s Johanna Fallman left the game against Czechia after a collision, did not return and I haven’t yet seen an update on her status.

Brianna Decker provided her own update on her status on twitter. She plans on staying with Team USA in Beijing.

As always, game recaps, upcoming games (with help from @sonnymilano!), and the schedule below the cut. But also, going forward, standings for this preliminary round can be found at the end.

GAME RECAPS

CAN [11], FIN [1]: Canada comes away with another blowout win, this time against Finland. Team Finland, whose 0-0-0-2 record might be the biggest shocker so far, surprised again by putting goaltender Meeri Raisainen in for her first Olympic start. She let in 8 goals before being replaced by Anni Keisala. Sarah Fillier once again led the way with 2, Nurse and Jenner both recorded hat tricks for Canada, and Natalie Spooner’s 4 assist brought her into sole possession of the Olympic scoring lead. Full game details via the IIHF here.

JPN [6], DEN [2]: Japan continues to look like the powerhouse of Group B with a win against Denmark, still winless. Scoring 3 goals in 3:04 min to pull ahead, Japan quickly made it a different game than their meeting at worlds that saw Japan win a close 1-0 game, this time Haruka Toko leading all players with 3 pts. Denmark’s Cassandra Repstock-Romme, starting her 2nd game in 2 days, was pulled after letting in 3 goals on 12 shots, replaced by Lisa Jensen. Full game details via the IIHF here. 

CZE [3], SWE [1]: in their first Olympics, team Czechia’s exciting offense continues to win games. Tereza Vanisova was the star of this one with 2 goals, leading several odd-man rushes. The Czechs also scored shorthanded off the stick of Klara Hymlarova, one of several penalties killed, but not without promising chances for Sweden. Emma Soderberg stood tall for Sweden against a relentless Czech offense, but was ultimately outmatched, while Klara Peslarova only let in one against Czechia. Johanna Fallman left the game after a collision with Vanisova. Full game details via the IIHF here.

USA [5], ROC [0]: Savannah Harmon, Grace Zumwinke, and Jesse Compher all recorded their first Olympic goals in a definitive 5-0 win over Russia. Maria Sorokina held it down for most of the game, but 5 of those 62 shots got through the netminder. None of those were against 17 year old Daria Gredzen, making her senior debut, who faced 14 shots when coach Yevgeni Bobariko made the decision to rest Sorokina. Nicole Hensley made 12 saves on 12 shots to record the shutout for USA. Full game details via the IIHF here.

UPCOMING GAMES

CHN vs JPN: Another big rivalry of these games, China will be playing to stay in that 3rd spot to qualify for the quarterfinals while Japan looks to separate themselves from Czechia and stay in first. Japan’s offensive depth could be important this game, notably Hikaru Yamashita, who had a goal and an assist with 5 SOG against Denmark. China depends a lot on their top line for offense, especially Lin Qiqi, who had 2 goals and an assist against Denmark. 

SUI vs USA: USA is looking to prove they’re on the same level as Canada after their past 2 blowout wins, the 1st against the Swiss, so this will be an important one for them. Switzerland is still looking for a win, struggling against Canada and Russia. They’ll need to rely on special teams for this one, without any even strength goals so far, and will look to capitalize on USA’s struggling PK. Phoebe Stanz will be looking to get on the board for the Swiss, none of her 6 shots going in last game. Jesse Compher will look to continue her impressive performance against Russia.

-

SCHEDULE: PRELIMINARY ROUND

2/6 3:40 A.M. China vs Japan (Group B)

2/6 8:10 A.M. Switzerland vs USA (Group A)

2/6 11:10 P.M. Canada vs Russia (Group A)

2/7 3:40 A.M. Czechia vs Denmark (Group B)

2/7 8:10 A.M. Finland vs Switzerland (Group A)

2/7 8:10 A.M. Sweden vs China (Group B)

2/8 12:15 A.M. USA vs Canada (Group A)

2/8 3:40 A.M. Japan vs Czechia (Group B)

2/8 8:10 A.M. Russia vs Finland (Group A)

2/8 8:10 A.M. Sweden vs Denmark (Group B)

PRELIMINARY STANDINGS

Group A

Canada (2-0-0-0) 

USA (2-0-0-0)

Russia (3-1-0-0)

Finland (0-0-0-2)

Switzerland (0-0-0-2)

Group B

Japan (2-0-0-0)

Czechia (2-0-0-0)

China (1-0-0-1)

Sweden (0-0-0-2)

Denmark (0-0-0-2)

[juhollamago]

Finnish women’s team head coach Pasi Mustonen emphasizes the significance of roles on Olympic team - “In best case scenario we could have Noora Räty, if Anni Keisala gets injured”

W H A T

[auroraliiga]

Happy 26th Birthday, Anni!

[fancybelieverdinosaur]

What’s the overall opinion on leaving noora raty at home, in Finland, or your personal view? All of us in North America think you guys totally made the wrong decision.

I think everyone in Finland thinks the head coach Pasi Mustonen made a massive mistake too. Even bigger mistake was the decision that IF our first goalkeeper Anni Keisala injured herself, they would have brought Noora Räty to Peking...and Meeri Räisänen is our 2nd goalkeeper in Peking. Noora Räty said no to this decision.

[sportsrepo]

Finland in the world press 

The Finnish women’s national ice hockey team skated into headlines this week after winning the bronze medal at the women’s world hockey championship.  Finland beat Switzerland 3–1 to take third place at the 2021 IIHF World Women’s Championship on Tuesday. Tanja Niskanen, Ella Viitasuo and Petra Nieminen scored one goal each, while goaltender Anni Keisala made a total of 18 saves during the…

[liigainenglish]

Celly like the Finns.

[theicegarden-blog1]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Oulun Kärpät Naiset (@karpatnaiset)

Oulun Kärpät Naiset goalies Anni Keisala, Johanna Oksman, and Susanna Airaksinen being adorable together. 

SOURCE: @karpatnaiset on Instagram

[auroraliiga]

rakkionkoira It's crazy it’s party 💃🏻 🕺🏻

[auroraliiga]

Anni Keisala and her girlfriend, Sanita