Hiirikoski's Legendary Career Continues To Reach New Milestones

Jenni Hiirikoski first played at the IIHF World Championships for Finland in 2004, winning bronze on April 6, 2004.

Six members of Finland's current World Championship roster, who are now playing alongside the 39-year-old Finnish legend, weren't born yet. Finland is the third oldest roster in the tournament behind USA and Canada. 

Since then, Hiirikoski has amassed more international accolades than an defender in women's hockey history. It's a long list that includes seven World Championship Best Defender awards, two Olympic Best Defender awards and 12 medals at those events.

Hiirikoski has served as Finland's captain since 2012, and at the 2026 World Championships, she reached yet another milestone, becoming the first woman to ever play 100 IIHF World Championship games.

In total, she's represented Finland at more than 600 career games between the World Championships, Olympics, Euro Hockey Tour, Four Nations events, and many others.

Hiirikoski reached her 100th career game facing Canada at the 2026 World Championships. It's a mark she would have reached at the 2025 World Championships, but Hiirikoski missed the event after undergoing heart surgery. It makes her successful return in 2026 all the more impressive with Hiirikoski not only representing Finland at the World Championships and Olympics, but also leading the SDHL in scoring by a defender.

Perhaps even more impressive, is that 39, Hiirikoski was leading all Finnish players in time-on-ice through the preliminary round averaging 19:15 per game.

She has five points in eight games to date this season already in the SDHL with Luleå as well.

Whether this is the final international tournament for the Lempäälä product, or the ageless blueliner continues to play beyond this tournament, Hiirikoski's milestones will be difficult to top, and her place in the Hockey Hall of Fame is already secure.