Finnish Legends Help Guide Nelli Laitinen

Finnish legends Jenni Hiirokoski and Noora Raty had a significant impact on the nation's next star defender, Nelli Laitinen.

Nelli Laitinen is already a veteran of the Finnish national team, but the 20-year-old defender has kept her eyes focused on a pair of legends from Finland to help guide her way.

On the national team, Laitinen has been partnered on Finland's top defensive pairing beside future Hockey Hall of Famer Jenni Hiirikoski. Hiirikoski has 11 international medals at the Olympics and World Championships, and won Top Defender at those tournaments nine times. At the 2023 World Championship, Hiirikoski celebrated her 400th career game with Finland's national team. She's a legend in Finland, and in the eyes of Laitinen.

"Jenni has been a big example for me, and helped me grow," said Laitinen. "She's just always working hard. I try to do things the same way she does, I'm trying to take a little from her."

With a 16-year age gap between the two, Hiirikoski has helped mentor Laitinen, who looks to be the heir to her role as Finland's next generational blueliner. Laitinen already has three Olympic and World Championship medals, and was named the top defender at the U-18 championships. Since joining the senior national team four years ago, Laitinen has seen her role grow exponentially.

"It''s nice to have a bigger role and it's only growing and growing. When I first came to nationals, I had a little role, but it's growing," she said.

Another Finnish legend, Noora Räty also came into Laitinen's life to guide her hockey career. Räty, a University of Minnesota alumni who was living in Minnesota recently, helped convince Laitinen to leave Finland to play NCAA hockey at her alma mater.

Laitinen recently finished her rookie season with the University of Minnesota, and is looking forward to getting back on the ice with the Minnesota Golden Gophers again this Fall. 

"It was very nice... it was a good year," said Laitinen of her rookie season. "Not the outcome we expected, but we had a very good team and I enjoyed it. Gophers have always had a good team, I enjoyed the practices, I enjoyed the team, I'm looking forward to next year."

Whether it's in Minnesota, or her hometown of Lohja, Finland, Nelli Laitinen is taking big strides toward filling the shoes of the Finnish legends, Jenni Hiirikoski and Noora Raty, who have helped guide her way. 

At 20, Laitinen has already arrived as one of the world's top defenders, and someday soon, will take her position as the role model for Finland's next generation.