Ilves

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title: "Ilves" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["sport-in-tampere", "sports-clubs-and-teams-in-pirkanmaa", "liiga-teams", "ice-hockey-clubs-established-in-1931", "1931-establishments-in-finland"] topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilves" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox ice hockey team"]

FieldValue
teamTampereen Ilves
bg_colourbackground:#FFFFFF; border-top:#006934 5px solid; border-bottom:#FFCB05 5px solid;
text_colour#000000
logoIlves logo.svg
logo_size210px
cityTampere
leagueLiiga
founded
arenaNokia Arena
capacity13,455
coloursGreen, yellow, black

| | owner | Ilves-Hockey Oy | | gm | Risto Jalo | | coach | Tommi Niemelä | | captain | Eemeli Suomi | | affiliates | KOOVEE Ilves Naiset | | farmclub | Koovee | | championships | 1936, 1937, 1938, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1972, 1985 | | website | | | uniform | [[File:Ilves uudet peliasut2.png|220px]] | ::

| team = Tampereen Ilves | bg_colour = background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#006934 5px solid; border-bottom:#FFCB05 5px solid; | text_colour = #000000 | logo = Ilves logo.svg | logo_size = 210px | city = Tampere | league = Liiga | conference = | division = | founded = | operated = | folded = | arena = Nokia Arena | capacity = 13,455 | colours = Green, yellow, black

| owner = Ilves-Hockey Oy | gm = Risto Jalo | coach = Tommi Niemelä | captain = Eemeli Suomi | affiliates = KOOVEE Ilves Naiset | parentclub = | farmclub =Koovee | championships = 1936, 1937, 1938, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1972, 1985 | website = | uniform = [[File:Ilves uudet peliasut2.png|220px]] Tampereen Ilves, commonly known as Ilves, (; Finnish for "Lynx") is a Finnish professional ice hockey team based in Tampere. They play in the Liiga at the Nokia Arena. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Nokia_Arenan_avajaiset_14.jpg" caption="Nokia Arena]] in [[Tampere]], [[Finland"] ::

The colors of Ilves, green, yellow, and black, were taken from what was then the coat of arms of the city of Tampere.

History

With sixteen championships, Ilves is the second most successful hockey team in the Finnish championship league, the Liiga, after their local rival Tappara. The club was founded in the spring of 1931, and it played its first game against Tampereen Palloilijat the next winter. In the late 1930s, Ilves won three Finnish championship titles as the first Tampere-based hockey team.

After World War II, Ilves started playing its home games at the then new Koulukatu ice rink. It had another championship spree in 1945–1947 when it stayed undefeated for over four years (albeit playing only 36 games during that period).

In 1954, Ilves was for the first and so far only time relegated to the second highest level of Finnish hockey but managed to return to the top tier only one year later.

The current logo was designed by Rauno Broms in 1963. In 1965, Ilves moved, along with its local rivals Tappara and KooVee, to the new Hakametsä arena, where they played until 2021.

The last Finnish Cup competition in hockey was held in 1971. Ilves won the title and has therefore been the reigning champion since. In 1972, it also won another league championship; its 15th championship in total.

During the late 1970s, Ilves went through lean times. Finally, when Koovee, which was in no better condition, was relegated at the end of the 1979–80 season, the two clubs decided to sign an agreement of cooperation. The best players of Koovee moved to Ilves, the most notable of them being Risto Jalo.

In 1985, Ilves claimed its 16th and most recent championship. Along with Risto Jalo, the key players of that team were Raimo Helminen, Mikko Mäkelä, Ville Siren, and Jukka Tammi. Repeating this success proved difficult, however, when in the following summer four players left the team to play in the NHL. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Ilves-Blues_Feb_2008.jpg" caption="Blues]] in 2008."] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Helminen_Raimo_(Ilves)_+Holma_Eetu(SaiPa).jpg" caption="[[Raimo Helminen]] playing for Ilves in 2007."] ::

In the late 1980s, Ilves had another brief stint of moderate success when coached by Sakari Pietilä. It finished first after the regular season in 1988 but was eliminated in the first round of playoffs. The next year it came away with a bronze medal, and finally in 1990 it reached the finals, only to lose to TPS. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Oksanen_drops_the_puck.jpg" caption="Pekka Sarrenheimo]] in 2008."] ::

For most of the 1990s, the club struggled with financial problems and unclear issues concerning ownership. In sports performance, the low point was in the spring of 1995, when Ilves finished last in the SM-liiga and had to fight the lower league teams SaPKo and SaiPa for their place among the elite for the next year.

Ilves managed to avoid relegation and was promptly reborn as a viable championship candidate, reaching the semifinals in 1997 and the finals a year after that.

The 2000s were a fairly mediocre period in Ilves history. After their bronze medal win in 2001, Ilves lost in the first round of the playoffs in six of the next seven seasons and missing the playoffs altogether in 2003. They managed to avoid relegation in 2010, 2012 and 2013.

Honors

SM-sarja

  • SM-sarja Aaro Kivilinna memorial award: 1936, 1937, 1938, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1952
  • SM-sarja Kanada-malja: 1957, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1972
  • SM-sarja Aaro Kivilinna memorial award: 1935, 1948, 1949
  • SM-sarja Kanada-malja: 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970
  • SM-sarja Aaro Kivilinna memorial award: 1934, 1939, 1941, 1943
  • SM-sarja Kanada-malja: 1963, 1964, 1967, 1974, 1975

SM-liiga

  • SM-liiga Kanada-malja: 1985
  • SM-liiga Kanada-malja: 1990, 1998
  • SM-liiga Kanada-malja: 1983, 1989, 2001, 2022, 2023

Players

Current roster

Updated 19 June 2025.

| first = Kasper | last = Björkqvist | dab = | num = 20 | pos = RW | nat = FIN | s/g = L | birthyear = 1997 | birthmonth = 7 | birthday = 10 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Espoo, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Erik | last = Borg | dab = | num = 11 | pos = C | nat = SWE | s/g = L | birthyear = 1996 | birthmonth = 12 | birthday = 30 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Gothenburg, Sweden | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Teemu | last = Engberg | dab = | num = 22 | pos = LW | nat = FIN | s/g = L | birthyear = 1999 | birthmonth = 6 | birthday = 9 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Loviisa, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Iivari | last = Heikkinen | dab = | num = 25 | pos = RW | nat = FIN | s/g = L | birthyear = 2004 | birthmonth = 1 | birthday = 14 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Oulu, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Lukáš | last = Jašek | dab = | num = 9 | pos = RW | nat = CZE | s/g = R | birthyear = 1997 | birthmonth = 8 | birthday = 28 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Třinec, Czech Republic | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Simon | last = Johansson | dab = | num = 23 | pos = D | nat = SWE | s/g = R | birthyear = 1999 | birthmonth = 6 | birthday = 14 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Stockholm, Sweden | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Carl | last = Klingberg | dab = | num = 48 | pos = RW | nat = SWE | s/g = R | birthyear = 1991 | birthmonth = 1 | birthday = 28 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Gothenburg, Sweden | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Ondřej | last = Kos | dab = | num = 19 | pos = LW | nat = CZE | s/g = L | birthyear = 2006 | birthmonth = 3 | birthday = 7 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Kuřim, Czech Republic | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Radek | last = Kučeřík | dab = | num = 21 | pos = D | nat = CZE | s/g = L | birthyear = 2001 | birthmonth = 12 | birthday = 21 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Kyjov, Czech Republic | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Jimi | last = Kuivila | dab = | num = 35 | pos = G | nat = FIN | s/g = L | birthyear = 2005 | birthmonth = 8 | birthday = 27 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Tampere, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Otto | last = Latvala | dab = | num = 43 | pos = D | nat = Finland | s/g = R | birthyear = 1999 | birthmonth = 7 | birthday = 14 | acq = 2022 | birthplace = Alajärvi, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Eemil | last = Laurell | dab = | num = 27 | pos = F | nat = FIN | s/g = R | birthyear = 2004 | birthmonth = 12 | birthday = 17 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Tampere, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Jens | last = Lööke | dab = | num = 29 | pos = RW | nat = SWE | s/g = R | birthyear = 1997 | birthmonth = 4 | birthday = 11 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Gävle, Sweden | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Matias | last = Mäntykivi | dab = | num = 12 | pos = C | nat = Finland | s/g = L | birthyear = 2001 | birthmonth = 6 | birthday = 21 | acq = 2021 | birthplace = Lappeenranta, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }} | first = Arttu | last = Niskanen | dab = | num = – | pos = D | nat = FIN | s/g = L | birthyear = 2004 | birthmonth = 11 | birthday = 12 | acq = 202 | birthplace = Helsinki, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}--

| first = John | last = Nyberg | dab = | num = 28 | pos = D | nat = SWE | s/g = L | birthyear = 1996 | birthmonth = 7 | birthday = 14 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Gothenburg, Sweden | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Joonas | last = Nättinen | dab = | num = 86 | pos = C | nat = FIN | s/g = R | birthyear = 1991 | birthmonth = 1 | birthday = 3 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Jämsä, Finland | inj = no | cap = A | fa = }}

| first = Jarkko | last = Parikka | dab = | num = 57 | pos = D | nat = Finland | s/g = L | birthyear = 1997 | birthmonth = 9 | birthday = 6 | acq = 2015 | birthplace = Imatra, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Dominik | last = Pavlát | dab = | num = 39 | pos = G | nat = CZE | s/g = L | birthyear = 1999 | birthmonth = 11 | birthday = 11 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Tábor, Czech Republic | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Arttu | last = Pelli | dab = | num = 53 | pos = D | nat = FIN | s/g = R | birthyear = 1996 | birthmonth = 8 | birthday = 22 | acq = 2023 | birthplace = Kouvola, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Samuli | last = Ratinen | dab = | num = 17 | pos = LW | nat = FIN | s/g = L | birthyear = 1998 | birthmonth = 4 | birthday = 13 | acq = 2023 | birthplace = Saarijärvi, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }} | first = Niklas | last = Seppänen | dab = | num = – | pos = D | nat = FIN | s/g = L | birthyear = 2005 | birthmonth = 1 | birthday = 27 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Kempele, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}--

| first = Sebastian | last = Soini | dab = | num = 6 | pos = D | nat = FIN | s/g = R | birthyear = 2006 | birthmonth = 6 | birthday = 10 | acq = 2023 | birthplace = Tampere, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Lukáš | last = Švejkovský | dab = | num = 72 | pos = C | nat = USA | s/g = R | birthyear = 2001 | birthmonth = 11 | birthday = 28 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Tampa, Florida, United States | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Roope | last = Taponen | dab = | num = 60 | pos = G | nat = FIN | s/g = L | birthyear = 2001 | birthmonth = 3 | birthday = 14 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Espoo, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Matic | last = Török | dab = | num = 46 | pos = F | nat = SLO | s/g = L | birthyear = 2003 | birthmonth = 7 | birthday = 26 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Kranj, Slovenia | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

| first = Toni | last = Utunen | dab = | num = 37 | pos = D | nat = FIN | s/g = L | birthyear = 2000 | birthmonth = 4 | birthday = 27 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Kokkola, Finland | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

|}

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/Ilves_banners.jpg" caption="Banners commemorating championships and retired player numbers of Ilves in Tampereen jäähalli."] ::

Honored members

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Ilves_logo_1960s.jpg" caption="Ilves 1960s jerseys"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Camisolas_Ilves.jpg" caption="Ilves jerseys at the club's 90th anniversary exhibition"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Ilves_1932_jersey.jpg" caption="The first Ilves jersey from 1932"] ::

Source: Ilves-Historia

Number 24 has not been officially retired, but is not in use. It was last worn by Veikko Suominen, who died during the 1978–79 season.

Coaches

Current staff

All-time head coaches

File:Ilveksen mestaruusjoukkue vuodelta 1938.jpg|(1938) File:Tampereen Ilveksen joukkue helmikuussa 1945.jpg|(1945) File:Suomen mestari 1946 Ilves.jpg|(1946) File:Suomen mestari 1958 Ilves.jpg|(1958) File:Suomen mestari 1960 Ilves.jpg|(1960) File:Suomen mestari 1966 Ilves.jpg|(1966) File:Ilves champion of Finland 1972.jpg|(1972) File:Ali Saadetdin Ilves.jpg|Ali Saadetdin, Finnish Tatar File:Ilveksen Jorma Peltonen.jpg|Jorma Peltonen File:Leinonen Tero Ilves.jpg|Tero Leinonen File:Toivonen Hannu Ilves 2008.jpg|Hannu Toivonen File:Korhonen Markus Ilves 2009 1.jpg|Markus Korhonen File:Sulkanen Niko Ilves 2009 1.jpg|Niko Sulkanen File:Pätsi Mikko Ilves 2008.jpg|Mikko Patsi File:Häkkinen Pasi Ilves.jpg|Pasi Häkkinen File:Helminen Raimo Vintage Jersey.jpg|Raimo Helminen File:Peltola Mikko Ilves.jpg|Mikko Peltola File:Nickerson Matt Ilves.jpg|Matt Nickerson File:Anttila Marko Ilves.jpg|Marko Anttila File:Sandell Sami Ilves.jpg|Sami Sandell File:Torkki Sami Ilves.jpg|Sami Torkki File:Bishai Mike Ilves.jpg|Mike Bishai File:Tukio Arto Ilves.jpg|Arto Tukio File:Mann Cameron Ilves.jpg|Cameron Mann File:Werner Eric Ilves 2.jpg|Eric Werner File:Niskanen Mika Ilves.jpg|Mika Niskanen File:Koreis Jakub Ilves.jpg|Jakub Koreis File:Näppilä Jarkko Ilves.jpg|Jarkko Näppilä File:Lehtivuori Joonas Ilves.jpg|Joonas Lehtivuori File:Jääskeläinen Teemu Ilves.jpg|Teemu Jääskeläinen File:Järvinen Turo Ilves.jpg|Turo Järvinen File:Koivisto Toni Ilves.jpg|Toni Koivisto File:Kauvosaari Jarkko Ilves 2008 1.jpg|Jarkko Kauvosaari File:Uusivirta Matti Ilves 2008 1.jpg|Matti Uusivirta File:Kuukka Mikko Ilves 2008.jpg|Mikko Kuukka File:Rajala Toni Ilves 2009 1.jpg|Toni Rajala File:Keinänen Jani Ilves 2008 1.jpg|Jani Keinänen File:Aalto Jouni Ilves juniors 2008 1.jpg|Jouni Aalto File:Rask Joonas Ilves juniors 2008.jpg|Joonas Rask File:Marjamäki Masi Ilves 2008.jpg|Masi Marjamäki File:Pellinen Jaakko Ilves 2008.jpg|Jaakko Pellinen File:Genoway Colby Ilves 2008.jpg|Colby Genoway File:Niemi Toni Ilves 2008.jpg|Toni Niemi File:Seikola Markus Ilves 2009 1.jpg|Markus Seikola File:Roppo Antti Ilves 2008.jpg|Antti Roppo File:Hacker Dan Ilves 2008.jpg|Dan Hacker File:Mattila Lassi Ilves 2008.jpg|Lassi Mattila File:Järvinen Pasi Ilves 2008.jpg|Pasi Järvinen File:Männikkö Miikka Ilves 2008.jpg|Miikka Männikkö File:Platt Geoff Ilves 2008 1.jpg|Geoff Platt File:Milam Troy Ilves 2008.jpg|Troy Milam File:Tampereen Ilves vs Stavanger Oilers.jpg|(2022)

Other sports

In addition to hockey and football, Ilves has a futsal team in Finnish league which has won the Finnish championship five times (2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2011) and the cup competition twice (2006, 2010), a floorball team at second highest level and a ringette team competing in the SM Ringette league. It has numerous boys' and girls' junior teams in ice hockey, soccer, floorball (boys only), and ringette (girls only), making the organization the largest sports club in Finland.

In the past, Ilves has also competed in American football, basketball, bowling, figure skating, handball, and volleyball. It has won a bronze medal in American football and a silver one in handball. Also, Ilves has won the Finnish Cup in handball.

References

References

  1. [https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2022/wm/news/33601/22_great_tampere_moments 22 great Tampere moments] {{Webarchive. link. (2023-04-05 – [[IIHF]])
  2. "Joukkue Tampereen Ilves". www.ilves.com.
  3. (2019-03-08). "Marianne Ihalainen to be honoured". [[International Ice Hockey Federation.
  4. "Ilves Hockey Legends". Ilves-Hockey Oy.

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