Teemu Selänne

Infobox Ice Hockey Player

---

image_size = 200px
team= Anaheim Ducks
league = NHL
position = Right Wing
shoots = Right
height_ft = 6
height_in = 0
weight_lb = 204
former_teams = Colorado Avalanche
San Jose Sharks
Winnipeg Jets
SM-liiga
Jokerit
nationality = FIN
birth_date = birth date and age|1970|07|3
birth_place = Helsinki, FIN
draft = 10^th overall
draft_year = 1988
draft_team = Winnipeg Jets
career_start = 1989

Teemu Ilmari Selänne (IPA2|ˈteːmu ˈilmɑri ˈselænːe) (born July 3, 1970) is a Finnish professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Anaheim Ducks in the National Hockey League. Selänne was originally drafted into the NHL by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1st round, 10th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Jokerit (1988-92)

Selänne (who has a twin brother, Paavo) played his early seasons with Jokerit of the Finnish SM-liiga. Selänne won the A-Junior level Finnish Championship in 1988 with Jokerit. The team consisted of future SM-liiga players such as Markus Ketterer, Keijo Säilynoja and Mika Strömberg. After two seasons on the junior team of Jokerit, Selänne played his first season for Jokerit during the 1988-89 season when Jokerit played in the Finnish 1. Divisioona. Jokerit gained promotion back to the SM-liiga in 1989 and Selänne had 11 games with 12 points during his debut SM-liiga season. Selänne had his first full season for Jokerit the following year, when he racked up 58 points in 44 games. During the 1991-92 SM-liiga season, Jokerit won the SM-liiga championship and Selänne won the Aarne Honkavaara trophy (top goalscorer) and had the most points scored in the SM-liiga playoffs during that season.

Winnipeg Jets (1989-94)

Teemu Selänne was selected by the Winnipeg Jets 10th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft and was contracted by Jets for 1992-93 NHL season. He scored 76 goals in his rookie season, an all-time rookie record. He is also the holder of the rookie point scoring record with 132 points, and he is the most recent player in NHL history to score 70 goals in a season. [ [http://couchpotatohockey.com/Records/Reg_Season_Ind_Records/Scoring_by_Rookie.asp NHL Regular Season Records-Scoring by a Rookie ] ]

Following his rookie season, Jets players Keith Tkachuk and Alexei Zhamnov formed a line known as "The Olympic Line," as all three were Olympians. This was notable in that it was prior to the NHL signing an agreement with the IIHF, providing for a break to allow select players to compete for their respective countries in the quadrennial Olympic Tournament. Selänne suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his second season, limiting him to 51 games. The Jets had suffered a six-game quarterfinal loss to the Vancouver Canucks in 1993; and with Selänne injured, missed the 1994 playoffs.

Jokerit (1994-95)

Along with fellow Finnish NHL-star Jari Kurri, Selänne played for Jokerit during the 1994-95 NHL lockout.

Selänne scored 7 goals and assisted 12 others in 20 games for Jokerit. Selänne was part of Jokerit when the team won the 1995 European Cup.

Winnipeg Jets (1995-96)

After the lockout, Selänne returned to Winnipeg Jets and played the remainder of 1994-95 season and started the 1995-96 season with Jets.

On February 7, 1996, he was traded, along with Marc Chouinard and a fourth-round draft pick, to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim [ [http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8457981 NHL.com - Players ] ] in return for Chad Kilger, Oleg Tverdovsky, and a third-round pick. The trade was one in a series of moves made by the Jets as a result of the team's financial difficulties.Fact|date=November 2007 Selänne however was first angered at the Jets management for trading him, but it all subsided when he learned of the situation in Anaheim. [Campbell, Tim. "Selanne Glad to Miss Wake." "Winnipeg Free Press", 26 March 1996.]

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996-01)

In Anaheim, Selänne teamed up with Paul Kariya to form one of the most potent scoring duos in the NHL and also picked a nomination for the Lady Byng Trophy, losing to Joe Sakic.Fact|date=November 2007 Selänne won the NHL goalscoring titles in 1998 and 1999.

On March 5, 2001, Selänne was again traded, this time to the San Jose Sharks for Jeff Friesen, Steve Shields, and a second-round draft pick.

an Jose Sharks (2001-03)

Selänne was involved in controversy with the Sharks in 2002–03. On the other side of the United States, New Jersey Devil Scott Gomez was struggling under the iron rule of Devils coach Pat Burns. Gomez and Selänne were almost swapped in a multi-player trade, but at the 11th hour Selänne vetoed being sent to New Jersey. ["Selanne Denies Report That He Might Request Trade." "San Jose Mercury News", 3 March 2003.] Fact|date=November 2007 Selänne suffered a slight drop of performance during his time with the Sharks but he still managed to score 54 and 64 points during his two full season with the Sharks.

Colorado Avalanche (2003-04)

After two full seasons in San Jose, Selänne signed with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent on July 3, 2003 (his 33rd birthday) where he was again joined by Kariya. After a season (2003–04) in Colorado that saw his production decline, overall, Selänne's time in Colorado was considered a disappointment since he didn't manage to gain a steady form with Paul Kariya as he was expected in.

Jokerit (2004-05)

Selänne underwent knee surgery during the 2004–05 NHL lockout and signed with Jokerit in the Finnish National League. He was unable to play any games, because rehabilitation took longer than expected.

Anaheim Ducks (2005-present)

Selänne rejoined the Mighty Ducks signing a one year contract on August 22, 2005. With his knee rehabilitated, Selänne led the Mighty Ducks in scoring in 2005–06 despite playing without former teammate and scoring counterpart Paul Kariya. Selänne's statistical tally this season registered 40 goals and 50 assists for 90 points in 80 games.

Selänne recorded his 1,000th NHL point on January 30, 2006 with his second goal against the Los Angeles Kings, becoming the 70th player, as well as the seventh European player, to achieve the milestone.Fact|date=November 2007

Selänne was back amongst the NHL's elite players after the 2005–06 NHL season, when he was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which recognizes perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey, designating Selänne as the comeback player of the year.

Selänne received a one-year, $3.75-million contract extension for the 2006–2007 season with the newly renamed Anaheim Ducks, after deciding to continue his NHL career. He also changed his jersey number from #13 back to #8 for 2006–2007 season, the number he'd worn during his first stint with the Ducks franchise several years earlier.Fact|date=November 2007

Selänne scored his 500th NHL career goal against the Colorado Avalanche after getting by former Avalanche teammate and captain Joe Sakic to find the net against Colorado's Jose Theodore. Selänne joined fellow countryman Jari Kurri as the only Finnish-born players to have scored 500 goals in their NHL careers. On November 26, 2006 in a game against the Calgary Flames, Selänne scored his 600th point as a Duck.

Selänne played in his 1,000th NHL game on December 31, 2006 against the Minnesota Wild. [ [http://www.anaheimducks.com/press/release/article.php?dir=200612&id=1550] ] On February 7, 2007, in a game against the San Jose Sharks, Selänne scored his 524th career goal to move into a tie with Bryan Trottier for 27th on the NHL's all-time list. The "Finnish Flash" moved past Trottier with a first period goal against the Coyotes in Phoenix on February 15, 2007 with his father, Ilmari, in attendance (the fathers of 18 Anaheim players and one of the player's father-in-law were at the game as part of a team-building experience).

, his 19th hat trick, the previous one coming six years before. Anaheim won the game, 5–1.

Selänne tied the Anaheim franchise record for goals (previously held by Paul Kariya) with his 300th in a Ducks jersey on February 17, 2007 when he flipped a second-period power-play goal past Mathieu Garon in a game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. One night later, Selänne took sole possession of the franchise record, scoring his 301st goal with Anaheim with a power-play goal at Honda Center in Anaheim in the second consecutive game against the Kings.

With two goals against the Vancouver Canucks on March 11, 2007, Selänne became the first player over the age of 35 to record consecutive 40-goal seasons. The two goals, both on the power-play, moved Selänne into a tie with Hall of Famer Frank Mahovlich on the NHL's all-time goal-scoring list at 533, the 26th highest total in the league's history. Finally, they gave him 107 power-play goals in a Ducks uniform, moving him into a tie for the franchise record with Kariya. Selänne removed his former linemate from the record book with a power-play goal in a victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on March 16, taking over sole possession on the Anaheim franchise record. Selänne's two-goal effort against Chicago also moved him past Mahovlich, for sole possession of 26th place on the NHL's all-time goal-scoring list.

Selänne completed the 2006–2007 NHL regular season with 48 goals (third best in the league) and became the first player in NHL history over the age of 35 to record consecutive seasons with 40-plus goals. He also led the NHL with 25 power-play goals, tying the Anaheim club record that he set in 1998–1999. His 10 game-winning goals tied him for the most in that category this season.

With an assist on a goal by Francois Beauchemin in Game 2 of the Ducks opening round playoff series against the Minnesota Wild on April 13, 2007, Selänne picked up his 30th playoff point in an Anaheim jersey – establishing a new franchise record. The Ducks would go on to defeat the Ottawa Senators in 5 games in the Stanley Cup Finals, giving the team and Selänne their first Stanley Cup championship.

Selänne considered retirement after he and the Ducks had won the Stanley cup in 2007. However, he did not announce his retirement, and in December he told a Finnish tabloid Iltalehti that he will announce his decision in January 2008. [ [http://www.iltalehti.fi/jaakiekko/200712046934619_jk.shtml] fi] On 28th of January, Selänne signed a one-year contract with the Ducks for the remainder of the 2007–08 NHL season. [ [http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=351531 10-Time All-Star Teemu Selanne to Rejoin Ducks] ] On the 12th of February, he tied Paul Kariya for most points in franchise history after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche. On the 17th of February, he passed Paul Kariya when he scored his 670th point over the Calgary Flames. [ [http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=Recap&seas=20072008&gtype=2&gnum=897 Anaheim Ducks - Rec
] ] On February 24th Selänne earned his 20th career hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks increasing his career goals total to 546, placing him 25th on the all-time list, bypassing his idol Maurice 'Rocket' Richard. He was named the NHL's "First Star of the Week" for the week ending February 24th. The game also gave him his 600th career assist. [ [http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=354744 Anaheim Ducks - News: Selanne Named NHL's First Star of the Week - 02/25/2008 ] ]

On September 28, 2008 Selänne signed a two-year, $5.25 million contract with the Ducks.

International

Together with Saku Koivu and Jere Lehtinen, Selänne formed the backbone of Team Finland during his reign. Selänne has had various injuries, mostly with his knee, and couldn't have participated in World Championship campaigns even though his team didn't qualify for or was knocked out in the early rounds of NHL playoffs. Selänne was paired up with Koivu from 1998 Nagano Olympics on and thanks to their great chemistry they were the tournament's joint top scorer. Finland managed to beat Team Canada in the bronze medal game 3-to-2, thus winning bronze. Selänne sat out the game after he got injured in the semifinal game against Russia.

Selänne did not make a World Championship appearance until he was 28 years of age in 1999, and was again paired with Koivu. The two put up great numbers but it wasn't enough and Finland was beaten by the Czechs in the final games. TV cameras captured Teemu's great disappointment after the Czech Republic had won the second match in over-time. He finished second in scoring, 5 points behind Koivu. Both were elected to the Tournament All-Star lineup and Selänne also received the tournament's best player -award.

Selänne's next duty came in 2002 when Winter Olympics took place in Salt Lake City USA. Due to absence of Koivu, who was battling against cancer at the time, Selänne was named the captain of Team Finland but was unable to carry the team to a great success. The team was crushed by Team USA in the first match but they made it to the medal round, only to get knocked out by the eventual gold medalists, Team Canada. This left Finland in the sixth place.

A year later the World Championships of Ice hockey were held in Finland and as the Sharks failed to qualify for playoffs Selänne saw his opportunity to help Finland. The tournament took place in Finland but together with Koivu he was unable to bring home a medal, clinching a 5th spot.

Selänne's only World Cup of Hockey opportunity came in 2004 but earlier the season he had complained about his knee and this showed in his game. He tallied only 4 points in six games, although he had been a dominant force in his previous campaigns with Team Finland. However, other members of the team stepped up and Finland was given the silver medal, losing to Team Canada in the final 3-to-2.

Year 2006 came around and it was an Olympic year. The Olympics were held in Torino and Selänne was in great shape since his knee had been fixed during the NHL lockout. As previously, Selänne was paired up with Koivu and Lehtinen. Team Finland steamrolled over every opponent in group stage putting up a magnificent 19–2 goal difference. Selänne's big numbers in group stage didn't help Finland in the end and Finland came up short against Sweden in the final game. Selänne's contribution showed in the statistics sheet as he was once again the joint top scorer with Koivu and also tied for most goals with fellow Finn Olli Jokinen. Selänne and Koivu were named in the Tournament All-Star lineup and Selänne was elected the best forward in the tournament.

Selänne's natural goal scoring instincts carried Finland through several tournaments. His big numbers in international games tell you without the help of Selänne, Finland couldn't have gone deep in tournaments. However, most of Selänne's goals were assisted by the playmaker Koivu and likewise.

In summer of 2007, Selänne announced his retirement from Finnish national team play stating that there is room for only one "Raipe".

It was announced that Teemu Selänne had said "yes" to Doug Shedden's invitation to join the Finnish National team for the 2008 Ice Hockey World Championship tournament, therefore coming out from his International Retirement. [ [http://www.jatkoaika.com/maajoukkue.php?sivu=uutiset&id=8328 Selänne says "yes" (article in Finnish)] , Jatkoaika.com, April 30, 2008, accessed April 30, 2008.]

After the 2008 Championship tournament, Selänne announced that he will re-retire from international competition. [ [http://www.jatkoaika.com/nhl.php?sivu=uutiset&id=8410 Selänne retires from National Team (article in Finnish)] , Jatkoaika.com, May 18, 2008, accessed July 4, 2008.] However, before signing to a two-year deal with the Ducks on 28th of September 2008, Selänne was contemplating to play in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. [ [http://www.ocregister.com/articles/ducks-year-selanne-2164105-schneider-contract Sports: Selanne considers signing with Ducks for two seasons] , September 19, 2008]

Selänne appeared a total of 124 National Team games during his time for the National Team.

Personal

Selänne married Sirpa Vuorinen on July 19, 1996. They have four children: sons Eemil, Eetu and Leevi, and a daughter Veera Johanna (b. December 5, 2007).They are residents of Coto de Caza, California, a gated community in southern Orange County.

Selänne is known as an avid car collector (he's one of the few people that own an Enzo Ferrari), golfer and auto racing fan. He has even entered WRC rally events in his home country of Finland.

Before arriving in the NHL Selänne taught kindergarten for three years in Finland. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=amber_david&id=2631420 Selanne teaches us a lesson] ]

Records

*NHL single-season record for goals by a rookie (76 in 1992–93)
*NHL single-season record for points by a rookie (132 in 1992–93)
*NHL single season record for most goals by a European player (76 in 1992–93 tied with Alexander Mogilny)
* Anaheim Ducks franchise record for career points (677 points, established February 24, 2008)
* Anaheim Ducks franchise record for career goals (319 as of February 24, 2008)
* Anaheim Ducks franchise record for career power-play goals (110, established February 24, 2008)
* Anaheim Ducks franchise playoff record for points scored (30, established April 13, 2007)
* Anaheim Ducks single-season record for power-play goals (25, established in 1998–1998 and tied in 2006–2007)
* Anaheim Ducks single-season record for points (109, established in 1996–1997)
* Anaheim Ducks single-season record for goals (52, established 1997–1998)
* Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes single-season record for goals (76, established 1992–1993) (as a rookie)
* Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes single-season record for points (132, established 1992–1993) (as a rookie)
* First European to score a hat-trick in an NHL All-Star game (1998)

Awards

*Raimo Kilpiö trophy for the gentlemanly player in the SM-liiga - 1991
*Aarne Honkavaara trophy for best goal scorer in the SM-liiga - 1992
*SM-liiga championship - 1992
*Finnish Ice hockey player of the year - 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006
*Calder Memorial Trophy - 1993
*NHL All-Rookie Team - 1993
*NHL First All-Star Team - 1993, 1997
*NHL Second All-Star Team - 1998, 1999
*NHL All-Star Game MVP - 1998
*Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007
*Ice Hockey World Championships Tournament All-Star Team - 1999
*Ice Hockey World Championships Tournament's Best Player - 1999
*Rocket Richard Trophy - 1999 (also tied for most goals in NHL in 1993 and 1998)
*2006 Winter Olympics All-Star Team
*2006 Winter Olympics - Best forward
*Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy - 2006
*Stanley Cup (Anaheim Ducks) - 2006–07

Transactions

* June 11, 1988 - Drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1st round, 10th overall.
* February 7, 1996 - Traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim with Marc Chouinard and a fourth-round pick in 1996 (Kim Staal) for Chad Kilger, Oleg Tverdovsky and a third-round pick in 1996 (Per-Anton Lundstrom).
* March 5, 2001 - Traded to the San Jose Sharks for Jeff Friesen, Steve Shields and a 2nd round pick in 2003 (Vojtech Polak).
* July 3, 2003 - Signed by the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent.
* August 22, 2005 - Signed by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim as a free agent.
* January 28, 2008 - Signed by the Anaheim Ducks to a 1 year contract. [ [http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=228393&hubname= Selanne agrees to terms with Ducks] ]
* September 28, 2008 - Signed by the Anaheim Ducks to a 2 year contract. [ [http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=383851&hubname= Anaheim's All-Time Leading Scorer Officially Rejoins the Club] ]

Career statistics

International play

Played for Finland in:
*1991 World Championship (5th place)
*1992 Winter Olympics (7th place)
*1998 Winter Olympics (bronze medal)
*1999 World Championship (silver medal)
*2002 Winter Olympics (6th place)
*2003 World Championship (5th place)
*2004 World Cup of Hockey (silver medal)
*2006 Winter Olympics (silver medal)
*2008 World Championship (bronze medal)

International statistics

ee also

*List of NHL seasons
*List of NHL statistical leaders
*List of NHL players
*List of NHL players with 500 goals
*List of NHL players with 1000 points
*List of NHL players with 1000 games played
*Captain (ice hockey)

References

External links

* [http://www.nhlfinns.com/players.aspx?pid=80 Teemu Selänne] on nhlfinns.com
*hockeydb|4863
* [http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/local/orange_villapark/article_1740415.php Selänne bobble head story]
*Eurohockey|8347
*nhlprofile|8457981

Note: Teemu Selänne served as captain during most of the 1997–98 season when Paul Kariya was injured and out of the line-up