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Emma Laaksonen (on the left) is going to her fourth Olympic Games. Jenni Hiirikoski is one of the newcomers.

Finnish women’s ice hockey team for the Olympic Games in Vancouver was nominated today. The roster of 21 names consists of 9 players who have previous Olympic experience and 12 newcomers at Olympic level. The team includes 14 players from Finnish clubs and 5 who play collegiate hockey in the United States. One players comes from the Russian women’s league and one from Denmark where she plays in men’s league. The players with most Olympic experience are Emma Laaksonen and Karoliina Rantamäki, who are both going to their fourth Olympic Games. They played already in Nagano 1998 when Finland won bronze medals.

Goaltenders

Mira Kuisma, Kärpät (Oulu)
Noora Räty, Minnesota Gophers
Anna Vanhatalo, Blues (Espoo)

Defenders

Jenni Hiirikoski, Ilves (Tampere)
Emma Laaksonen, Blues (Espoo)
Rosa Lindstedt, Ilves (Tampere)
Terhi Mertanen, Blues (Espoo)
Heidi Pelttari, Ilves (Tampere)
Mariia Posa, UMD Bulldogs
Saija Sirviö, Kärpät (Oulu)

Forwards

Anne Helin, Kärpät (Oulu)
Venla Hovi, Ilves (Tampere)
Michelle Karvinen, Rödovre (Denmark)
Annina Rajahuhta, Ilves (Tampere)
Karoliina Rantamäki, SKIF (Russia)
Mari Saarinen, Ilves (Tampere)
Nina Tikkinen, MSU Mavericks
Minnamari Tuominen, OSU Buckeyes
Saara Tuominen, UMD Bulldogs
Marjo Voutilainen, Blues (Espoo)
Linda Välimäki, Ilves (Tampere)