The 2024–25 Auroraliiga season is the 42nd ice hockey season of the Auroraliiga. It is the first season since the league re-branded from Naisten Liiga, the name that had been in use since 2017, to Auroraliiga.

Quick Facts League, Sport ...
2024–25 Auroraliiga season
LeagueAuroraliiga
SportIce hockey
Defending championsIFK Helsinki (2023–24)
Duration6 September 2024 (2024-09-06)  16 February 2025 (2025-02-16)
Number of games32
Number of teams9
Total attendance6518 (88.1 per game)
TV partner(s)Leijonat.tv
Seasons
2025–26 
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IFK Helsinki (HIFK) are the reigning 2024 Aurora Borealis Cup champions. Kiekko-Espoo hold the 2023–24 regular season title.

League changes

League rebrand

Founded in 1982 as the Naisten SM-sarja and known as the Naisten Liiga (NSML) since 2017, the league announced it had rebranded as Auroraliiga on 15 August 2024. Announcing the name change, league director Henni Laaksonen emphasized, "it is high time to play ice hockey without prefixes" – referring to the intentional move away from using "women's [ice hockey]" (Finnish: naisten [jääkiekko]) in the new branding – and outlined the league's goal to develop into a top international league that will enable its players to experience the everyday life of professional athletes.[1][2]

The rebranding included a new wordmark and a black-and-green color scheme.

Postseason format

Adjustments to the Auroraliiga postseason format were approved by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association in May 2024 and included extending the playoff semifinals and finals from best-of-five to best-of-seven series.[3]

The league qualifiers will be a best-of-five series played by the last place (i.e. ninth ranked) team of the Auroraliiga and the winner of the Naisten Mestis playoffs, regardless of the teams.[3]

Coaching changes

More information Team, Previous coach ...
Team Previous coach New coach Details
KalPa Mika Väärälä Artturi Rouhiainen Väärälä announced he would not continue as head coach of KalPa on 17 March 2024, a day after successfully coaching the team to its second consecutive Finnish Championship bronze medal. Specifics regarding his departure were not reported, however the relationship between the club and coach appeared amicable and he wished the team much success in the future.[4] Väärälä was later appointed associate coach of HK Budapest as the team moved from the European Women's Hockey League (EWHL) to the German Women's Ice Hockey League (DFEL) ahead of the 2024–25 season.[5]
Rouhiainen was announced as the new head coach of KalPa on 20 March 2024. The 29-year old spent the 2023–24 season as head coach of KalPa's girls' under-15 team and associate head coach of the girls' under-16 team, while finishing a degree in physical education.[6]
Kärpät Satu Kiipeli Teemu Koivula After starting the 2023–24 season as an assistant coach with Kärpät, Kiipeli took on head coaching duties in October 2023 following the resignation of head coach Sanna Lankosaari earlier that month. The team achieved a 9-23 win–loss record on the season and were swept in the quarterfinals of the 2024 playoffs by eventual Aurora Borealis Cup champions HIFK.
Koivula was head coach of RoKi during the 2023–24 season, in which the team finished at the bottom of the Naisten Liiga standings. He was announced as the new head coach of Kärpät on 27 March 2024 and, at the same time, it was confirmed that Kiipeli would remain with the team and return to her previous role as assistant coach.[7]
RoKi Teemu Koivula Oona Parviainen [8][9]
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Player movements

Note: This section does not record all player signings. It is generally limited to player movements involving national team players from any country, international import players, and extra-league signings. Player nationality displayed is limited to primary nation of IIHF eligibility; some players may hold citizenship in more than one country.

More information Player, Nat ...
Player Nat Previous team 2024–25 team ref.
Incoming players
Lea Glosíková (F) Slovakia Hoosac Owls (NEPSAC) TPS Turku [10]
Manuela Heidenberger (F) Italy EV Bozen Eagles (EWHL/IHLW) HPK Hämeenlinna [11]
Anni Keisala (G) Finland HV71 (SDHL) HPK Hämeenlinna [12]
Peppi Kähkönen (F) Finland Hamline Pipers (NCAA D3) TPS Turku [13]
Anni Montonen (F) Finland HV71 (SDHL) Kiekko-Espoo
Matilda Nilsson (F) Finland Frölunda HC (SDHL) Ilves Tampere [14]
Kokoro Ota (D) Japan Seibu Princess Rabbits (WJIHL) KalPa Kuopio [15]
Intra-league transfers
Tiina Ranne (G) Finland KalPa Kuopio TPS Turku [16]
Karoliina Rantamäki (F) Finland IFK Helsinki Kiekko-Espoo [17]
Mikaela Saukkonen (D) Finland IFK Helsinki HPK Hämeenlinna [11]
Peppi Virtanen (F) Finland Team Kuortane HPK Hämeenlinna [18]
Departing players
Kati Asikainen (G) Finland Kärpät Oulu HC Fribourg-Gottéron (SWHL A) [19]
Oona Havana (F) Finland Kärpät Oulu Vermont Catamounts (NCAA D1)
Elisa Holopainen (F) Finland KalPa Kuopio Frölunda HC (SDHL) [20]
Eliška Hotová (F) Czech Republic TPS Turku HC Příbram (Extraliga žen)
Liisa Kastikainen (F) Finland KalPa Kuopio Örebro HK (NDHL) [21]
Oona Koukkula (D) Finland HPK Hämeenlinna Brynäs IF (SDHL) [22]
Jenniina Kuoppala (D) Finland Team Kuortane Örebro HK (NDHL) [21]
Emilia Kyrkkö (G) Finland Team Kuortane St. Cloud State Huskies (NCAA D1) [23]
Kiia Lahtinen (G) Finland IFK Helsinki Maine Black Bears (NCAA D1) [24]
Olivia Last (G) Australia TPS Turku St. Olaf Oles (NCAA D3) [25]
Julia Liikala (F) Finland IFK Helsinki HC Ambrì-Piotta Girls (SWHL A) [26]
Nenna Mehtonen (D) Finland IFK Helsinki Örebro HK (NDHL) [21]
Michaela Pejzlová (F) Czech Republic IFK Helsinki HC Ambrì-Piotta Girls (SWHL A) [26]
Sanni Rantala (D) Finland KalPa Kuopio Frölunda HC (SDHL) [20]
Clara Rozier (F) France IFK Helsinki SC Bern (SWHL A) [27]
Kassidy Sauvé (G) Canada HPK Hämeenlinna SDE Hockey (SDHL) [28]
Julia Schalin (F) Finland Kiekko-Espoo Mercyhurst Lakers (NCAA D1)
Sanni Vanhanen (F) Finland IFK Helsinki Brynäs IF (SDHL) [29]
Siiri Yrjölä (D) Finland IFK Helsinki St. Cloud State Huskies (NCAA D1) [23]
Julia Zielińska (F) Poland Kiekko-Espoo Bemidji State Beavers (NCAA D1) [30][31]
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Teams

Location of teams in the Naisten Liiga
More information Team, Location ...
Team Location Home venue Head coach Captain
HIFK  Helsinki Pirkkolan jäähalli Saara Niemi Athéna Locatelli
HPK Hämeenlinna Jääliikuntakeskus Hakio Jari Risku Heta Seikkula
Ilves Tampere Tesoman jäähalli Marjo Voutilainen Jenna Lehtiniemi
KalPa Kuopio Niiralan Monttu Artturi Rouhiainen Johanna Juutilainen
Kiekko-Espoo Espoo Tapiolan harjoitusareena Sami Haapanen Reetta Valkjärvi
Kärpät Oulu Raksilan jäähalli Teemu Koivula Aino Kaijankoski
RoKi Rovaniemi Lappi Areena Oona Parviainen Viivi Iso-Kouvola
Team Kuortane Kuortane Kuortaneen jäähalli Juuso Nieminen Kerttu Lehmus
TPS Turku Kupittaan jäähalli Terhi Mertanen Pihla Hämeenniemi
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Preseason

The preseason began on 9 August 2024 and comprised exhibition games played between Auroraliiga teams or between an Auroraliiga team and a boys' junior team from the youth department of the same club or a local club. The Regina Cougars women's ice hockey team from the University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada played three exhibition matches – against Ilves, HIFK, and HPK, respectively – during the Auroraliiga preseason.[32] No exhibition matches were scheduled for RoKi.[33]

Schedule

More information Exhibition games, Date ...
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Regular season

The regular season began on Friday, 6 September 2024. The season opening weekend was hosted in Turku, with eight of nine games played at Turkuhalli and the Sunday match between Team Kuortane and HPK played at Kupittaan jäähalli.

Standings

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W OTW OTL L GF GA GD Pts Postseason
1 Kiekko-Espoo 16 13 2 0 1 90 30 +60 43 Playoffs
2 Tampereen Ilves 18 11 1 1 5 72 59 +13 36
3 IFK Helsinki 16 10 1 2 3 58 35 +23 34
4 HPK 15 9 1 3 2 57 34 +23 32
5 Team Kuortane 17 7 3 2 5 53 42 +11 29
6 TPS 16 5 2 1 8 39 43 4 20
7 KalPa 17 5 1 2 9 37 49 12 19
8 Oulun Kärpät 16 3 0 0 13 27 62 35 9
9 RoKi 17 0 0 0 17 25 104 79 0 Qualification
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Updated to match(es) played on 3 November 2024. Source: Leijonat[36]

Results

More information September, Date ...
2024–25 regular season
November
DateHomeScoreVisitorOTAttnNotesRecap
1 November Ilves 2–4 HIFK 60 [Recap 89]
2 November Kärpät 5–1 RoKi 153 [Recap 90]
HPK 2–5 HIFK 60 [Recap 91]
Ilves 4–8 K-Espoo 40 Hat-trick by Emma Nuutinen (1) [Recap 92]
Kuortane 4–1 TPS 50 [Recap 93]
3 November K-Espoo 6–3 Kuortane 105 [Recap 94]
KalPa 1–2 TPS 77 [Recap 95]
Kärpät 5–3 RoKi 144 Hat-trick by Sari Wäänänen (1) [Recap 96]
16 November Ilves Kuortane
HPK RoKi
HIFK Kärpät
K-Espoo KalPa
17 November TPS RoKi
K-Espoo Kärpät
HPK Kuortane
HIFK KalPa
23 November Kärpät Ilves
RoKi K-Espoo
TPS KalPa
HIFK HPK
24 November RoKi Ilves
HPK KalPa
Kärpät K-Espoo
TPS Kuortane
28 November HPK K-Espoo
29 November K-Espoo TPS
30 November Kärpät HIFK
RoKi Kuortane
KalPa Ilves
8 games played
56 goals scored
0 OT
0 GWS
689 2 hat-tricks
0 shutouts
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Player statistics

Scoring leaders

The following players led the league in points at the conclusion of games played on 3 Novemer 2024.[38]

More information Player, Team ...
Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Emma Nuutinen K-Espoo 141122334
Lisette Täks K-Espoo 1616132920
Matilda Nilsson Ilves 181512278
Emilia Varpula Ilves 18619252
Barbora Juříčková HPK 15814224
Minttu Tuominen K-Espoo 14715224
Kiti Seikkula HPK 151110214
Emma Ekoluoma Ilves 181282010
Karoliina Rantamäki K-Espoo 12911204
Júlia Matejková HPK 158122010
Anni Pere HIFK 16108186
Noora Mylläri Ilves 148101818
Ada Eronen K-Espoo 15414188
Emmi Juusela HIFK 16315184
Julia Kuusisto Ilves 16971634
Pauliina Salonen HIFK 16791614
Anni Montonen K-Espoo 16610160
Eevi Ilvonen TPS 16412166
Emmi Metsä-Tokila TPS 16781510
Maija Koski TPS 1686144
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The following skaters were the top point scorers of teams not represented in the scoring leader table at the conclusion of games played on 3 November 2024, noted with their overall league scoring rank:

21. Tilli Keränen, KalPa: 12 GP, 7 G, 7 A, 14 Pts, 6 PIM
25. Tuuli Tallinen, Kuortane: 15 GP, 8 G, 5 A, 13 Pts, 2 PIM
27. Dominka Malika, RoKi: 17 GP, 1 G, 12 A, 13 Pts, 4 PIM
31. Sari Wäänänen, Kärpät: 14 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 Pts, 4 PIM

Goaltenders

The following goaltenders had played at least one-third of their team's minutes in net at the conclusion of games played 3 November 2024, sorted by save percentage.[39]

More information Player, Team ...
Player Team GPI TOI W L SA GA SO S% GAA
Tiina Ranne TPS 11617:333534117195.01.65
Salla Sivula KalPa 12693:314644824294.62.08
Kerttu Kuja-Halkola Kuortane 10577:244219316191.71.66
Emilia Piekkari Kärpät 11616:313830826191.62.53
Minja Drufva K-Espoo 8480:518015413191.61.62
Miia Vainio HIFK 12730:007330726091.52.14
Annika Saastamoinen RoKi 7416:360734531091.04.46
Anni Keisala HPK 10609:496220719190.81.87
Neea Pohjamo Ilves 13732:558331730190.52.46
Tiia Pajarinen K-Espoo 8484:066116717089.82.11
Lilia Huovinen Kuortane 8457:554419824187.93.14
Alexandra Väyrynen RoKi 8415:410827847083.16.78
Melisa Mörönen Ilves 6292:022312923082.24.73
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Top backups

The following five goaltenders had the best save percentages of those playing less than one-third of their team's minutes in net at the conclusion of games played 3 November 2024.

More information Player, Team ...
Player Team GPI TOI W L SA GA SO S% GAA
Emmi Laitajärvi TPS 160:001035011000.00
Nelli Nieminen HIFK 160:0010191094.71.00
Pihla Ikonen HPK 2120:0020414090.22.00
Aino Laitinen KalPa 3178:59129411088.33.69
Tea Koljonen HIFK 3185:0020516088.21.95
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In-season player movements

Note: This section records all in-season player transactions. Player nationality indicates primary nation of IIHF eligibility; some players may hold multiple citizenship.

More information Player, Nat ...
PlayerNatPrevious teamJoining teamMovement dateref.
Incoming players
Emma Hall (F) Canada IF Björklöven (NDHL) KalPa Kuopio 19 October 2024 [40]
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Awards and honors

Player of the Month

  • September 2023: Salla Sivula (G), KalPa
    After dominating the goaltending statistics table in the opening month of the season, Sivula became the first player to be named Auroraliiga player of the month following the league rebrandeding in August 2024. She led the league with a save percentage of 95.7% across five games in net, conceeding just nine goals on 208 shots against. KalPa struggled offesively and Sivula played a large role in securing their two wins in September – a shutout against RoKi and a 3–1 victory over Kiekko-Espoo.[41]

References

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