Teemu Selänne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Teemu Selänne |
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| Hockey Hall of Fame, 2017 | |||
Selänne with the Anaheim Ducks in November 2010
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| Born | July 3, 1970 Helsinki, Finland |
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| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb) | ||
| Position | Right wing | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Jokerit Winnipeg Jets Anaheim Ducks San Jose Sharks Colorado Avalanche |
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| National team |  Finland |
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| NHL Draft | 10th overall, 1988 Winnipeg Jets |
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| Playing career | 1989–2014 | ||
Teemu Ilmari Selänne (born July 3, 1970) is a famous Finnish former professional ice hockey player. He was a right wing, known for his incredible speed. People called him "the Finnish Flash".
Teemu started his pro career in Finland in 1989. He then played 21 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for teams like the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Colorado Avalanche.
Selänne is the highest-scoring Finnish player in NHL history. When he retired in 2014, he had 684 goals and 1,457 points. These numbers put him among the top players ever. The Anaheim Ducks retired his jersey number 8 in 2015. In 2017, he was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players'. He was also elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Teemu was picked by the Jets in the first round of the 1988 NHL Draft. He stayed in Finland for a few years. He led the Finnish league in scoring in 1991–92. Then, he moved to North America. In his first NHL season (1992–93), he scored 76 goals and 132 points. This is still the record for most goals and points by a rookie. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the best first-year player.
He scored 50 goals in a season three times. He also topped 100 points four times. Teemu played in 10 NHL All-Star Games. He won the first Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 1998–99 for being the top goal scorer. In 2007, he helped the Ducks win the Stanley Cup.
For his country, Teemu played for the Finnish national team many times. He played in five Ice Hockey World Championships, winning silver and bronze medals. He also played in six Olympics. He helped Finland win three bronze medals and one silver medal. He holds the record for most points in Olympic ice hockey with 43 points.
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Early Life and Hockey Start
Teemu Selänne was born in Helsinki, Finland, on July 3, 1970. He has a twin brother, Paavo, and another brother, Panu. The family lived in Rauma for a while. Then they moved to Espoo when Teemu was about 10 years old.
As a kid, Teemu played three sports: hockey, bandy, and association football. He played hockey and football with his twin brother. Teemu was small when he was young. This made him very competitive and eager to improve his skills. He decided to focus on hockey. He joined the junior team of Jokerit in Helsinki.
Before becoming a full-time hockey player, Teemu went to business school for two years. He also served a year in the Finnish Defence Forces. For three years, he worked as a kindergarten teacher. Visiting children in a Helsinki hospital led him to help start the Godfathers' Foundation. This group raises money for sick children.
Amazing Hockey Career
Starting with Jokerit (1989–1992)
Teemu played junior hockey for Jokerit. In 1987–88, he scored 43 goals and 66 points in 33 games. His team won the Finnish Junior A championship. Because of this, the Winnipeg Jets picked him in the first round of the 1988 NHL Draft. Teemu went to the Jets' training camp. But he had to go back to Finland for his military service.
After junior hockey, Teemu joined Jokerit's main team. In 1988–89, he scored 69 points in 35 games. Jokerit moved up to the top league, the SM-liiga, in 1989–90. Teemu missed most of that season due to a leg injury. But he still scored 12 points in 11 games. In 1990–91, he played a full season. He scored 33 goals and 58 points. He won an award for being the league's most gentlemanly player.
His best season in the SM-liiga was 1991–92. He had 62 points in 44 games. He scored 39 goals, winning the award for top goal scorer. He also scored the winning goal in the playoffs. Jokerit won the Kanada-malja, becoming SM-liiga champions.
Becoming a Star with the Winnipeg Jets (1992–1996)
The Jets wanted Teemu to play in Winnipeg for the 1992–93 season. He made his NHL debut on October 6, 1992. He had two assists in a 4–1 win. Two nights later, he scored his first NHL goal.
Teemu scored his first hat trick in his fifth game. He had 11 goals in his first 12 NHL games. He broke the NHL record for goals by a rookie. He passed Mike Bossy's record of 53 goals on March 2, 1993. On March 23, he broke Peter Šťastný's rookie points record with 110 points. Teemu finished the season with 132 points. His 76 goals tied for the league lead. His amazing play helped the Jets reach the playoffs. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year. He was also named to the first All-Star team.
In the 1993–94 season, his scoring went down. He scored his 100th career goal on January 12, 1994. He reached this in his 130th game, the second-fastest in NHL history. He missed the last 33 games after hurting his Achilles tendon. The 1994–95 NHL lockout meant he played part of the season in Finland.
Teemu's time in Winnipeg ended in the middle of the 1995–96 season. He was leading the Jets with 72 points. On February 6, 1996, he was traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Teemu was sad about the trade at first.
Shining with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–2001)
After some time, Teemu loved his new team. He played with Paul Kariya. They became a powerful duo. Teemu scored 36 points in 28 games with the Ducks. He finished the 1995–96 season with 108 points. He had another 100-point season in 1996–97, with 109 points and 51 goals. He and Kariya led the Ducks to their first playoff appearance.
In the 1998 All-Star Game, Teemu scored a hat-trick. He became the first European player to win the MVP award. He finished the 1997–98 season with 52 goals. He also scored his 500th career point on January 12, 1998. The NHL created the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 1998–99. It goes to the league's top goal scorer. Teemu was the first player to win it, with 47 goals.
He had an 85-point season in 1999–2000. In 2000–01, he led the Ducks with 59 points. But Anaheim was in last place. On March 5, 2001, Teemu was traded to the San Jose Sharks.
Time with San Jose Sharks (2001–2003)
Teemu's first game with the Sharks was delayed. He had knee surgery. He finished the season with 13 points in 12 games. In 2001–02, he led the Sharks with 29 goals. He also led the team in goals (28) and points (64) in 2002–03. The Sharks were not doing well. Teemu used a special part of his contract to block a trade to the New Jersey Devils.
Short Stop with Colorado Avalanche (2003–2004)
Teemu chose to sign a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche for 2003–04. His former teammate Paul Kariya joined him. They hoped to win the Stanley Cup together. But Teemu had a tough season. He scored only 16 goals and 32 points. This was his lowest total ever. He even sat out a playoff game. He had knee problems that needed surgery. The next season was canceled due to a player lockout. This gave him time to recover.
Returning to Anaheim (2005–2014)
When the NHL started again in 2005–06, Teemu returned to Anaheim. He signed a one-year contract. He wore number 13 at first, as his usual number 8 was taken. He had a great season, scoring his 1,000th career point on January 30, 2006. He finished the season with 40 goals and 90 points. He won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his dedication.
The Ducks had high hopes for the 2006–07 season. Teemu signed another contract. He reached many milestones. On November 22, 2006, he scored his 500th goal. He became the second Finn to do so. On December 31, he played his 1,000th NHL game. He led Anaheim with 48 goals and 94 points. He played in his tenth All-Star Game. He also broke Paul Kariya's team record for goals as a Duck.
In the 2007 playoffs, Teemu became Anaheim's all-time leading playoff scorer. This was his first time playing in the Stanley Cup Final. His teammates wanted to win the Cup for him. Teemu finished the playoffs with 15 points in 21 games. After 14 NHL seasons, the 36-year-old Teemu Selänne finally won the Stanley Cup!
After winning the Cup, Teemu thought about retiring. He waited until January 2008 to decide. He signed a one-year contract to return to Anaheim. He made his return on February 5. In his third game back, he broke Kariya's franchise record for points as a Duck.
Teemu returned for the 2008–09 season. He signed a two-year contract. He missed some games due to a leg injury. But he still played 65 games and scored 54 points. He played his 1,100th game. He also became the sixth European player to score 1,200 career points.
In 2009–10, he reached more milestones. He became the 18th player in NHL history to score 600 goals. He passed his childhood hero, Jari Kurri.
Teemu finished eighth in NHL scoring in 2010–11. He had 31 goals and 49 assists. His 80 points were the third-highest ever for a player over 40. He also scored his 1,300th point. People wondered every year if Teemu would return. He came back for 2011–12 after knee surgery. He played every game for the Ducks. He became the oldest player to play a full 82-game season. He led the team with 66 points. When he returned to Winnipeg, fans cheered him loudly.
After a shorter season in 2012–13, Teemu announced that 2013–14 would be his last. He missed some games early on after being hit in the face. He finished with 27 points in 64 games. His final regular-season game was a big celebration. He wore the captain's "C" and received standing ovations.
Teemu played his final playoff games in 2014. He had six points in 12 games. He played his last game on May 16, 2014. The Ducks were eliminated from the playoffs. After the game, fans, teammates, and opponents cheered him. He took a final lap around the rink.
International Play
 Selänne at the 2010 Winter Olympics |
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| Medal record | ||
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| Ice hockey | ||
| Representing Finland |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Silver | 2006 Turin | |
| Bronze | 1998 Nagano | |
| Bronze | 2010 Vancouver | |
| Bronze | 2014 Sochi | |
| World Championships | ||
| Silver | 1999 Norway | |
| Bronze | 2008 Canada | |
| European Championship | ||
| Bronze | 1991 Finland | |
| Canada Cup / World Cup | ||
| Silver | 2004 Toronto | |
| Bronze | 1991 Hamilton | |
| IIHF European Junior Championships | ||
| Silver | 1988 Czechoslovakia | |
Teemu first played for the Finnish junior team. He had 16 points in six games at the 1988 European Junior Championship. He was named to the tournament all-star team. He played in the 1989 World Junior Championship.
He made his debut with the senior team at the 1991 World Championship. He finished third in scoring with 11 points. After playing in the 1991 Canada Cup, he made his Olympic debut at the 1992 Albertville Games. Teemu tied for the tournament scoring lead with seven goals.
Teemu returned to international play four years later. He played in the 1996 World Championship and the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. He scored more than one point per game in both. At the 1998 Winter Olympics, Teemu had ten points in five games. He was the tournament's leading scorer. Finland won the bronze medal.
The Finns finished second at the 1999 World Championship. Teemu helped Finland reach the final. He finished the tournament with 11 points. He was named to the all-star team and voted the most valuable player.
Teemu was the Finnish captain at the 2002 Winter Olympics. He led his country to a big win over Russia. In the World Championship, held in Finland, Teemu led the tournament with eight goals.
The 2004 World Cup of Hockey was played after a tough NHL season for Teemu. For him, the tournament was about finding his joy in hockey again. Finland reached the final but lost to Canada. Teemu returned for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Finland was a very strong team. They reached the final but lost to Sweden. Teemu scored six goals and 11 points. He was named to the all-star team and best forward.
Teemu said he would retire from international play after winning a bronze medal at the 2008 IIHF World Championship. However, he came back for his fifth Olympic tournament at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Teemu became the all-time leading scorer in Olympic hockey history on February 19, 2010. Finland won the bronze medal.
Teemu was named to the Finnish team for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. This was his sixth time at the tournament. In the quarterfinals, he helped Finland beat Russia. He scored two goals in the bronze medal game against the United States. At 43, Teemu became the oldest player to win a medal in Olympic hockey. He was named the most valuable player of the tournament. He added six points to his Olympic record of 43 points.
Playing Style and Records
Teemu Selänne was known for his incredible skating speed. This is why he was called the "Finnish Flash." He used his speed to get past defenders. Other players said he was great at finding open spaces to shoot the puck. He was also described as an "elegant player" with lots of energy.
Teemu is the highest-scoring Finnish-born player in NHL history. He finished his career with 684 goals, 12th all-time. He had 1,457 points, 15th best. He is one of only eight players to score 70 or more goals in one season. He holds many records. He has the NHL record for most goals (76) and points (132) by a rookie. These are also single-season records for the Winnipeg Jets franchise.
For the Anaheim Ducks, Teemu holds most of the team's major records. He leads the team with 457 goals, 531 assists, 988 points, and 966 games played. He also holds single-season records with 52 goals and 109 points. The Ducks retired his number 8 jersey on January 11, 2015.
Personal Life
Teemu Selänne is known for his friendly personality. He often signs autographs and shakes hands with fans. He is respected by players, coaches, and fans, even from opposing teams. He considers Paul Kariya and Joe Sakic his best friends from the NHL.
Teemu loves collecting cars. He has even entered the World Rally Championship (WRC) twice. He raced under the nickname "Teukka Salama," which means "Teddy Flash." In 1999, he was in a rally crash in Finland. The person he crashed into was the head of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association. Teemu received a fine for the incident.
Teemu is very popular in Finland. His success in the NHL helped hockey grow in his home country. A movie about his life, called "Selänne," became the highest-grossing documentary in Finnish history.
After retiring from hockey, Teemu has shared his thoughts on politics. He has supported the centre-right National Coalition Party in Finland. In 2024, he said he was a Republican and supported Donald Trump for president.
Teemu opened a popular steakhouse in Laguna Beach, California. In November 2019, his book "Teemu Selänne: My Life" was released. In March 2024, Teemu and his wife, Sirpa, became U.S. citizens. They have lived in Southern California since 1996.
Teemu also starred in a movie called "Minor Leaguer" in August 2024. He was in it with hockey legend Brett Hull.
Images for kids
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Selänne playing for the Ducks in 2006.
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Selänne during a pre-game warm-up in 2007.
See also
In Spanish: Teemu Selanne para niños
