Women's Ice Hockey in Finland

Women's Ice Hockey in Finland  has 2 593 players in 2005 and 4 694 in 2011. The Jääkiekon naisten SM-sarja  (Finnish national Women's league ) is the league elite of Women's ice Hockey. This league is organized by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association.

History
The first league was created in 1982–1983. Several teams of this first Finnish Women's League was established in the beginning of 1970s. However, it was necessary for a long time before the hockey at the women to spread widely in the country. In 1978, the tournament of lipstick became a kind of "unofficial" national Women's championship during some years. Finally in 1982-83 began a series of efforts with the new league  Jääkiekon naisten SM-sarja. The first season was played in two division of five teams each (10 teams). The first Playoffs was played at Tampere on March 12 and 13, 1983. For period 2004-2005, the number of teams was reduced for 6, until it was widened in 2008 for 8 and 9 in 2010.

Developmental league
The number of young women in junior level increased slowly, at the beginning of 500 players to approximately 2000 today. The growth rate was not satisfactory at the woman's Ice hockey. Consequently, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association decided to invest in development of the Women's ice hockey by supporting leagues. The number of teams considerably increased: There are now 12 teams in the Women's 1st Division  NAISTEN I-DIVISIOONA  ( second level after the Finnish National Women's league).

Tournaments
The following IIHF tournaments were hosted in Finland.

IIHF Worlds

 * Riikka Nieminen is Finland’s all-time leader with 41 points (23 goals, 18 assists). She participated in four IIHF Worlds. She led two World Championships (1994 and 1997) in scoring. Her 41 points ranks seventh all-time in World Championship scoring. She appeared in 118 games for Finland, scoring 109 goals, 95 assists and 204 points.
 * Tiia Reima ranks second all-time with 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) and participated in six tournaments. Her 20 assists is the Finnish career mark for most assists in World Championship play.She earned five bronze medals at the '90, '92, '94, '97 and '99 World Championships.

Olympics

 * Riikka Nieminen ranks as the all time leading Olympic scorer for Finland. She was the top point producer at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games.

Famous firsts

 * 1983: The official start of a women's league in Finland.
 * 1989: The Finnish Women's National Team win the first Women’s European Championships.
 * 1990: Finland claims the bronze in the first IIHF Women’s World Championships.
 * May 21, 2010: Riikka Nieminen was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame on 21 May 2010 in Cologne, Germany, as part of the World Championship festivities. She was only the fourth woman to receive this honor and the first from Finland.