Teemu Selänne

Teemu Ilmari Selänne (born July 3, 1970 in Helsinki, Finland), is a professional Finnish ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks. He holds the NHL record for the most goals by a rookie with 76; his rookie season point total of 132 is second to Wayne Gretzky's "first year" record of 137. As Gretzky had played in the WHA, and, hence, was not a rookie when his Edmonton Oilers was absorbed by the NHL, the "rookie" record is officially held by Selänne, while the "first year" record is credited to Gretzky.

Career

A former kindergarten teacher, Selänne (who has a twin brother, Paavo) played for Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga from 1988 to 1992. He was selected by the Winnipeg Jets 10th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. He scored 76 goals in his rookie season, an all-time rookie record. Following his rookie season, Jets prospects Keith Tkachuk and Alexei Zhamnov began to come into their own, and the young trio would begin to form a formidable line that at any time could score, play strong defense, or engage in physical play. As all three were Olympians, the line became known as "the Olympic line." With the help of Selänne and his new linemates, the Jets improved, but Selänne suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his second season, limiting him to 51 games and significantly hampering his effectiveness.

On February 7, 1995, he was traded, along with Marc Chouinard and a 4th round draft pick to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in return for Chad Kilger, Oleg Tverdovsky and a 3rd round pick. The trade was one in a series of moves made by the Jets as a result of the team's financial difficulties.

In Anaheim, Selänne teamed up with Paul Kariya to form one of the most potent scoring duos in the NHL. On March 5, 2001, Selänne was again traded, this time to the San José Sharks for Jeff Friesen, Steve Shields and a 2nd round draft pick. During this first stop in Anaheim, Selänne was once the runner-up for the Lady Byng Trophy, since it was won by Kariya.

Selänne is known for his speed, hands and goal-scoring ability. His speed on the ice earned him the nickname "The Finnish Flash" during his days in Winnipeg, a nickname that remains with him to this day. Though he only played there for four seasons, he is still known as one of the all time favourite Winnipeg Jets.

After a disappointing season in San José, Selänne signed with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent on July 3, 2003 (his 33rd birthday) where he was again joined by Kariya. At the time, the pair were third and fourth in the NHL in scoring; first and second were two of their Avalanche teammates, Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic respectively. After a season (2003-04) in Colorado that saw his production decline, 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, however, because rehabilitation took longer than expected. 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 during the 2005-06 season, registering 40 goals and 90 points in 80 games.

Selänne has participated in five Winter Olympics. He has won two medals, one silver and one bronze. He has also had some memorable moments during the Olympics. In 2002, at the tourney in Salt Lake City, he checked Canadian defenceman Chris Pronger from behind and was not penalized; a feud ensued, which included Pronger violently pushing Selänne from under his chin in Game 3 of the 2006 Western Conference Finals during the Stanley Cup playoffs that officially ended on July 3, 2006, Selänne's 36th birthday, when Pronger was traded to Anaheim from the Oilers in exchange for Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Smid, and three conditional draft picks. In 2006, American defenceman Derian Hatcher high-sticked Selänne in the mouth, knocking out two of his top teeth. Picking them up, he went over to the Finnish bench and saw a camera; with his mouth covered in blood, and a gap in his grin, he still managed to smile and wave to the camera.

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.

Selänne married Sirpa Vuorinen on July 19, 1996; they have 3 sons: Eemil Ilmari, Eetu Nikodemus, and Leevi. He is also a co-owner of HC Salamat, a team playing in the Finnish Mestis league.

On June 13, 2006, Selänne received a 1-year/$3.75 million contract extension with Anaheim. On June 24, 2006, Selänne was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

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)

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
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
Rocket Richard Trophy - 1999 (also tied for most goals in NHL in 1993 and 1998)
2006 Winter Olympics All-Star Team
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy - 2006

Career statistics

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1988-89	Jokerit	Fin-Div1	35	36	33	69	14	--	--	--	--	--
1989-90	Jokerit	SM-l	11	4	8	12	0	--	--	--	--	--
1990-91	Jokerit	SM-l	42	33	25	58	12	--	--	--	--	--
1991-92	Jokerit	SM-l	44	39	23	62	20	10	10	7	17	18
1992-93	Winnipeg Jets	NHL	84	76	56	132	45	6	4	2	6	2
1993-94	Winnipeg Jets	NHL	51	25	29	54	22	--	--	--	--	--
1994-95	Winnipeg Jets	NHL	45	22	26	48	2	--	--	--	--	--
1994-95	Jokerit	SM-l	20	7	12	19	6	--	--	--	--	--
1995-96	Winnipeg Jets	NHL	51	24	48	72	18	--	--	--	--	--
1995-96	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	NHL	28	16	20	36	4	--	--	--	--	--
1996-97	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	NHL	78	51	58	109	34	11	7	3	10	4
1997-98	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	NHL	73	52	34	86	30	--	--	--	--	--
1998-99	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	NHL	75	47	60	107	30	4	2	2	4	2
1999-00	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	NHL	79	33	52	85	12	--	--	--	--	--
2000-01	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	NHL	61	26	33	59	36	--	--	--	--	--
2000-01	San José Sharks	NHL	12	7	6	13	0	6	0	2	2	0
2001-02	San José Sharks	NHL	82	29	25	54	40	12	5	3	8	2
2002-03	San José Sharks	NHL	82	28	36	64	30	--	--	--	--	--
2003-04	Colorado Avalanche	NHL	78	16	16	32	32	10	0	3	3	2
2004-05	Jokerit	SM-l	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2005-06	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	NHL	80	40	50	90	44	16	6	8	14	2
NHL Totals			959	492	549	1041	379	65	20	19	39	16
SM-liiga/Div 1 Totals			152	119	101	220	52	10	10	7	17	18

International play

Played for Finland in:

International statistics

Year	Team	Event	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1992	Finland	Oly	8	7	4	11	6
1998	Finland	Oly	5	4	6	10	8
1999	Finland	WC	11	3	8	11	2
2002	Finland	Oly	4	3	0	3	2
2003	Finland	WC	7	8	3	11	2
2004	Finland	WCH	6	1	3	4	4
2006	Finland	Oly	8	6	5	11	4

External links

Teemu Selänne on nhlfinns.com

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