Finland is the most recent nation to officially name their 2025 IIHF women’s World Championship roster. The roster is filled with familiar faces from last year’s bronze medal winning roster. A handful of newcomers also speckle the roster. Perhaps the biggest name missing, is long time captain and future Hockey Hall of Fame member Jenni Hiirikoski.
Mystery Illness Keeps Jenni Hiirikoski From Finland’s Roster
Reports state that a mystery illness is to blame for Jenni Hiirikoski’s absense from Finland’s national team.
Diagnosed with an infection in January, Hiirikoski missed the bulk of the SDHL’s second half. She returned for four games in the SDHL playoffs, but missed the entire final.
“It has been one of the biggest disappointments of my whole career. I have always been able to excel physically, but now I just can’t. Not being able to be the Jenni that I want to be has been difficult mentally,” Hiirikoski told the media. “No one knows exactly what infection I contracted, but my problems began soon after that initial illness. I haven’t been able to fully recover, and my body needs more rest.”
Hiirikoski first joined Finland’s World Championship roster more than 20 years ago in 2003. In that span, Hiirikoski has been named Best Defender at the World Championships seven times. She also added Best Defender honours at two Olympic Games.
A look at Finland’s 2025 roster
Finland is bringing back plenty of experience from their 2024 bronze medal team. In net, starter Sanni Ahola returns after completing her final season of NCAA hockey at St. Cloud State. She’s joined in Finland’s crease by fellow St. Cloud State netminder Emilia Kyrkkö and HPK’s Anni Keisala.
Without Hiirikoski on the back end, Finland will look for the rest of their defensive core to step forward. Their blueline will be led by Ottawa Charge defender Ronja Savolainen, and University Minnesota blueliner’s Nelli Laitinen and Krista Parkkonen. Sanni Rantala is coming off an SDHL title with Frölunda, while St. Cloud State offered yet another member of their roster Siiri Yrjölä as well. Rounding out Finland’s blueline are Oona Koukkula who spent the season with Brynäs in the SDHL, as well as Auroraliiga defenders Elli Suoranta and Ada Eronen.
Up front, Susanna Tapani (Boston Fleet) and Noora Tulus (New York Sirens) bring PWHL experience, but Finland also possesess a wealth of talent from the SDHL. Among their projected offensive leaders are Michelle Karvinen (Frölunda), (Elisa Holopainen (Frölunda), Petra Nieminen (Luleå), and Viivi Vainikka (Luleå), who recently signed with Brynäs. Finland projects to have a deep forward group that also includes Sanni Vanhanen (Brynäs / Ohio State), Jenniina Nylund (Brynäs), Emilia Vesa (Frölunda), Julia Schalin (Mercyhurst), Sofianna Sundelin (St. Cloud), Ida Kuoppala (Skellefteå AIK), Julia Liikala (Ambri-Piotta), and Emma Ekoluoma.
