When Finland recently released its roster for the upcoming IIHF Women’s World Championships, fans immediately noticed the omission of defender Jenni Hiirikoski. The 37-year-old has participated in 16 Women’s Worlds, dating back to 2003, and won 9 medals (one silver and eight bronze). She has captained the national team for fourteen straight seasons, leading by example and with carefully chosen words. She is respected by teammates and opponents alike, known for her work ethic, strength and intelligence on and off the ice.
In her nine seasons and 303 games with Luleå of the SDHL, Hiirikoski has tallied 388 points (103 goals, 285 assists), and is an astonishing +367. Over the course of her entire career, at both the club and international levels, she has consistently been the hardest worker in the room. Now, the seemingly invincible defender has been hobbled by an unknown illness.
As reported by Swedish media outlet NSD.se last week, the trouble began in January when Hiirikoski was diagnosed with a seemingly standard infection. She took all recommended precautions in an effort to heal, and even sat out the final seven games of the regular season, but nothing seemed to help. She returned to the ice during the playoffs, and appeared in four games, but never felt quite like herself. “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. 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 missed the entire SDHL final, where reigning champions Luleå were swept by Frölunda in three straight games.
“Throughout the entire process, I held on to the hope that I would be able to play in the finals, but then I contracted a new infection. It was tough to cope with, and it still is. With any luck, my recovery is headed in the right direction now. It will take as long as it needs to take.”
While fans will not see Hiirikoski at the Women’s World Championships in April, they can anticipate her return to the ice with Luleå in September. The diminutive D has a year remaining on her contract and is looking forward to returning stronger than ever. “I’ve always learned the most from the toughest losses. I’ll use this disappointment as the fuel that motivates me to come back stronger.”
If anyone can make good on those words, it’s Jenni Hiirikoski.