Teemu Selänne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Teemu Selänne
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2017
Selänne with the Anaheim Ducks in November 2010
Born	(1970-07-03) July 3, 1970 (age 55) Helsinki, Finland
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
National team	Finland
NHL Draft	10th overall, 1988 Winnipeg Jets
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 and scoring ability. People often called him "the Finnish Flash."

Teemu 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. He is the highest-scoring Finnish player in NHL history. When he retired in 2014, he was 11th all-time in goals with 684. He was also 15th in points with 1,457.

Selänne holds many scoring records for both the Winnipeg/Arizona team and the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks even retired his jersey number 8 in 2015. This means no other player on the team can wear that number. In 2017, Teemu Selänne was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' ever. He was also elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017. He was only the second Finn to receive this honor.

Selänne was picked by the Jets in the first round of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. He stayed in Finland for a few years, playing for Jokerit. He led the Finnish league in scoring in 1991–92. When he joined the NHL in 1992–93, he had an amazing rookie season. He scored 76 goals and 132 points. These are still NHL records for a rookie player. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the best first-year player.

He scored 50 goals in a season three times and over 100 points four times. Teemu played in 10 NHL All-Star Games. He also won the first-ever Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 1998–99 for being the league's top goal scorer. In 2005–06, he won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his dedication to the game. He was also a key player when the Ducks won the Stanley Cup in 2007.

On the international stage, Selänne played for the Finland national team for a long time. He played in five World Championships, winning silver and bronze medals. He also played in three Canada Cup/World Cup of Hockey tournaments. Teemu was an Olympian six times. He helped Finland win three bronze medals and a silver medal in 2006. He holds the record for the most points scored in Olympic Men’s ice hockey with 43 points.

Early Life and Hockey Start

Teemu Selänne was born on July 3, 1970, in Helsinki, Finland. He has a twin brother, Paavo, and another brother, Panu. Teemu grew up playing three sports: hockey, bandy, and association football (soccer).

He was smaller than other kids when he was young. This made him very competitive and determined to get better at his skills. He decided to focus on hockey and 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 mandatory one-year period in the Finnish Defence Forces. For three years, he even worked as a kindergarten teacher! His visits to children's hospitals in Helsinki inspired him. He helped start the Godfathers' Foundation, which raises money for sick children.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting with Jokerit (1989–1992)

Selänne 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 his great play, the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Winnipeg Jets picked him. He was the tenth player chosen in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft.

After junior hockey, Selänne joined Jokerit's main team. He scored 69 points in 35 games in 1988–89. Jokerit moved up to the top Finnish 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 and scored 33 goals and 58 points. He won the Raimo Kilpiö trophy as the league's most gentlemanly player.

His best season in Finland was 1991–92. He had 62 points in 44 games and led the league with 39 goals. He also scored 17 points in 10 playoff games. Teemu scored the winning goal as Jokerit won the Kanada-malja, becoming SM-liiga champions.

Becoming a Star with the Winnipeg Jets (1992–1996)

Teemu Selänne celebrates breaking the NHL rookie goal record.

The Jets wanted Teemu to play in North America for the 1992–93. He made his NHL debut on October 6, 1992. He had two assists in a 4–1 win against the Detroit Red Wings. Two nights later, he scored his first NHL goal against the San Jose Sharks.

Selänne scored his first hat trick (three goals in one game) 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 his 110th point.

Teemu finished the season with 132 points and 76 goals. His 76 goals tied him for the league lead. His amazing offense 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 1993–94, Teemu's scoring slowed down. He scored his 100th career goal on January 12, 1994. He reached this milestone in only 130 games. This was the second-fastest in NHL history. He missed the end of the season due to a leg injury. The 1994–95 NHL lockout meant he played some games for Jokerit in Finland.

Selänne's time in Winnipeg ended in 1995–96. He was leading the Jets with 72 points when he was traded. On February 6, 1996, he went to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Teemu was sad about the trade at first.

Joining the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–2001)

After some time, Selänne grew to love his new team. He was paired with Paul Kariya, another star player. They became a powerful duo. Teemu scored 36 points in 28 games with the Ducks. He finished the 1995–96 season with 108 points overall.

In 1996–97, he had another great season with 109 points, including 51 goals. He and Kariya led the Mighty Ducks to their first playoff appearance. Anaheim won their first playoff series before losing to the Detroit Red Wings.

Selänne in a game against San Jose during the 2005–06 season. In his return to Anaheim, Selänne wore the jersey number 13, the same he had worn in his first two seasons in Winnipeg, because his favorite number 8 was already worn by teammate Sandis Ozoliņš. Selänne returned to wearing number 8 the following season.

At the 1998 All-Star Game, Selänne scored a hat-trick. He became the first European player to be named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the All-Star Game. He finished the 1997–98 season with 52 goals. This tied him for the NHL lead. He also scored his 500th career point. The NHL created the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 1998–99. This award goes to the league's top goal scorer. Selänne was the very first player to win it, after scoring 47 goals.

Time with San Jose and Colorado (2001–2004)

In 2000–01, Anaheim was struggling. On March 5, 2001, Selänne was traded to the San Jose Sharks. He had minor knee surgery, which delayed his debut with the Sharks. He finished the season with 13 points in 12 games for San Jose. In 2001–02, he led the Sharks with 29 goals. He also led the team in goals (28) and points (64) in 2002–03.

For 2003–04, Selänne signed with the Colorado Avalanche. He joined his former teammate Paul Kariya there. They hoped to win the Stanley Cup together. However, Teemu had a tough season. He scored only 16 goals and 32 points, his lowest totals at that time. He also struggled with knee problems that needed surgery. The 2004–05 NHL lockout meant he had time to recover.

Returning to Anaheim and Stanley Cup Win (2005–2014)

When the NHL started playing again in 2005–06, Selänne returned to Anaheim. He signed a one-year contract. He had a great comeback season, scoring his 1,000th career point on January 30, 2006. He finished the season with 40 goals and 90 points. He also won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his dedication.

The team, now called the Anaheim Ducks, had high hopes for 2006–07. Selänne reached several big milestones. On November 22, 2006, he scored his 500th goal. He was the 36th player in NHL history to do so. On December 31, he played his 1,000th NHL game. He led Anaheim with 48 goals and 94 points. He also played in his tenth All-Star Game.

Selänne during a pre-game warm-up in 2007

In the 2007 playoffs, Selänne became Anaheim's all-time leading playoff scorer. The Ducks made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. It was Teemu's first time playing for the championship. His teammates really wanted to win the Cup for him. After 14 NHL seasons, the 36-year-old Selänne finally raised the Stanley Cup with his teammates. They defeated the Ottawa Senators in five games.

After winning the Cup, Selänne thought about retiring. But he decided to return for the 2007–08 season. He signed a one-year contract in January 2008. In his third game back, he broke Paul Kariya's franchise record for points as a Duck.

Selänne continued to play for the Ducks. In 2009–10, he became the 18th player in NHL history to score 600 goals. He also passed his childhood hero, Jari Kurri, in career goals. In 2010–11, he finished eighth in NHL scoring with 80 points. This was the third-highest point total ever for a player over 40. He also scored his 1,300th point.

For 2011–12, Selänne played in every game for the Ducks. He became the oldest player in NHL history to play a full 82-game season. He led the team with 66 points. When he returned to Winnipeg, where the Jets had moved back, fans cheered him loudly.

After the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, Selänne announced that 2013–14 would be his last NHL season. His final regular-season game was a big celebration. He wore the captain's "C" and received standing ovations from the Anaheim crowd.

Selänne played his final playoff game on May 16, 2014. The Ducks were eliminated by the Los Angeles Kings. After the game, fans, teammates, and even opponents saluted him. He took a final lap around the rink.

International Play

Selänne at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Finland
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

Selänne first played for the Finland national 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 then played for the senior team at the 1991 World Championship. He tied for the scoring lead at the 1992 Albertville Olympics with seven goals.

At the 1998 Winter Olympics, Selänne led the tournament in scoring with ten points. Finland won the bronze medal. In the 1999 World Championship, Finland won silver. Selänne was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Selänne was the Finnish captain at the 2002 Winter Olympics. He led his team to a big win over Russia. In the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, Finland reached the final but lost to Canada, winning silver. At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Finland won the silver medal. Selänne scored six goals and 11 points. He was named the top forward of the tournament.

Selänne played in his fifth Olympic tournament at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. He became the all-time leading scorer in Olympic hockey history. Finland won the bronze medal.

Selänne was also on the Finnish team for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. This was his sixth time at the Olympics! He helped Finland win the bronze medal. At 43 years old, Selänne became the oldest player to win a medal in Olympic hockey. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the Olympic tournament.

Playing Style and Records

Selänne was famous for his incredible skating speed. This is why he was called the "Finnish Flash." He used his speed to get past other players. His former teammate, Jean-Sébastien Giguère, said Teemu was "a very elegant player" with "a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm."

Teemu Selänne is the highest-scoring Finnish-born player in NHL history. He finished his career with 684 goals, which is 12th all-time in the NHL. His 1,457 points rank 15th best. He is one of only eight players to score 70 or more goals in one season. He was the last player to do so.

He holds many records, including:

• Most goals by a rookie: 76 (in 1992–93)
• Most points by a rookie: 132 (in 1992–93)

These totals are also single-season records for the Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes team. For the Anaheim Ducks, Selänne holds most of the major team records. He leads the team with 457 goals, 531 assists, 988 points, and 966 games played. He also holds single-season records for the Ducks with 52 goals and 109 points. The Ducks retired his number 8 on January 11, 2015.

Personal Life

Selänne is known for his fun personality. He often takes time to sign autographs and meet fans. He is well-liked by players, coaches, and fans, even from other teams. He considers Paul Kariya and Joe Sakic to be his best friends from the NHL.

Teemu loves collecting cars. He even entered the World Rally Championship (WRC) twice. He raced under the nickname "Teukka Salama," which means "Teddy Flash" in English.

Selänne is very popular in Finland. His success in the NHL helped hockey grow in his home country. A documentary film about his life, called Selänne, was released in 2013. It became the highest-grossing documentary in Finnish history.

After retiring from hockey, Selänne has shared his thoughts on politics. He has supported the centre-right National Coalition Party in Finnish politics. In 2024, he said he was a Republican and supported Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential election. This was the first US presidential election where he could vote.

Selänne opened a popular steakhouse in Laguna Beach, California. In November 2019, his authorized biography, "Teemu Selänne: My Life," was released in North America. In March 2024, Teemu and his wife Sirpa became US citizens. They have lived in Southern California since 1996.

Selänne also starred in the movie "Minor Leaguer" in August 2024, alongside hockey legend Brett Hull.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International

Awards and Achievements

Records

See also

In Spanish: Teemu Selanne para niños