Teemu Selänne
Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:Pp-move Template:Good article Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox ice hockey biography Teemu Ilmari Selänne ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}; born July 3, 1970) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player. Playing as a right winger, he began his professional career in 1989–90 with Jokerit of the SM-liiga and later played 21 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Colorado Avalanche. Nicknamed "the Finnish Flash", Selänne is the highest-scoring Finn in NHL history, and one of the highest overall; he retired in 2014 11th all-time with 684 goals and 15th with 1,457 points. He holds numerous team scoring records for both the Winnipeg/Arizona franchise and the Anaheim Ducks. His jersey number 8 was retired by the Ducks in 2015. In 2017, Selänne was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On June 26, 2017, Selänne was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as the second Finn after Jari Kurri.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Selänne was a first-round selection of the Jets, 10th overall, at the 1988 NHL entry draft, but initially remained in Finland. He led the SM-liiga in scoring as part of Jokerit's Kanada-malja winning team in 1991–92 before moving to North America. He broke into the NHL by recording 76 goals and 132 points in 1992–93. It remains the league record for most goals and points by a rookie and earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top first-year player in the NHL. He has scored 50 goals in a season three times and topped 100 points on four occasions. He played in 10 NHL All-Star Games, was named to four postseason All-Star teams and won the inaugural Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 1998–99 as the league's leading goal scorer. He was named recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2005–06 for perseverance and dedication to the game and was a member of the Ducks' 2007 Stanley Cup championship team.
Internationally, Selänne was a long-time member of the Finland national team. He played in five World Championships, winning a silver and bronze medal, and in three Canada Cup/World Cup of Hockey tournaments. A six-time Olympian, Selänne helped Finland win three bronze medals and, in 2006, a silver medal. He is the all-time leader in scoring at the Olympic men's ice hockey tournament with 43 points. A national star in his native country, Selänne is the subject of a top-grossing biographical documentary in Finland. He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2017.
Early life
Selänne was born on July 3, 1970, in Helsinki, Finland.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers">Template:Cite book</ref> He has a twin brother, Paavo and another brother, Panu.<ref name="1213DucksMG89">Template:Cite book</ref> He was raised by his mother Liisa Viitanen (died 2018) and father Ilmari Selänne until they divorced in the late 1980s.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The family lived for a time in Rauma before settling in Espoo around the time Teemu was 5 years old.<ref name="LOH" />
Selänne played three sports as a youth: hockey, bandy and association football.<ref name="LOH" /> He played hockey and football with and against Paavo, though his brother ultimately gave up on both sports in favour of field hockey, where he was a member of numerous Finnish and European championship teams.<ref name="TeachLesson">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Teemu was small as a youth, creating in him a competitive spirit and drive to improve his skills. Focusing on hockey, he eventually joined the junior squad of Jokerit in Helsinki.<ref name="LOH" />
As a young adult, Selänne attended business school for two years and served a mandatory one-year stint with the Finnish Defence Forces.<ref name="98OlyBio">Template:Cite news</ref> During his tenure with Jokerit, he also spent three years as a kindergarten teacher.<ref name="TeachLesson" /> His experiences visiting kids at Helsinki's children's hospital led to him co-founding the Godfathers' Foundation, an organization that raises money for ill children.<ref name="SITopDog">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Playing career
Jokerit (1989–1992)
Selänne played three years of junior hockey in Jokerit's development program, culminating in 1987–88 with a 43-goal, 66 point season in 33 games and a Finnish Junior A championship.<ref name="EliteProspects">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His performance prompted the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Winnipeg Jets to select him with their first-round pick, tenth overall, at the 1988 NHL entry draft.<ref name="Bestat10">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Selänne attended training camp with the Jets, but returned to Finland owing to his military service.<ref name="MyFirstGoal">Template:Cite book</ref>
After graduating from junior hockey, Selänne joined Jokerit's senior team in the 1. Divisioona in 1988–89 and scored 69 points in 35 games. Jokerit moved up to the SM-liiga in 1989–90, and while Selänne missed the majority of the season due to a leg injury, he scored 12 points in 11 games played.<ref name="HockeyReference">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Playing a full season in 1990–91, Selänne scored 33 goals and 58 points in 42 games.<ref name="LOH" /> He was named the recipient of the Raimo Kilpiö trophy as the league's most gentlemanly player.<ref name="RKTrophy">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Selänne's best season in the SM-liiga came in 1991–92 when he recorded 62 points in 44 games.<ref name="NHLStats">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> With 39 goals, he won the Aarne Honkavaara trophy as top goal scorer.<ref name="AHTrophy">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He added 17 points in ten playoff games,<ref name="EliteProspects" /> and scored the winning goal as Jokerit won the Kanada-malja as SM-liiga playoff champion.<ref name="9293Greatest">Template:Cite news</ref>
Winnipeg Jets (1992–1996)
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The Jets' organizational philosophy at the time was to allow their European draft picks to develop in their native countries, but by 1991, the franchise was working to bring him to Winnipeg.<ref name="NHL9293Retrospective">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As Selänne had not yet signed a contract when he chose to play in North America for the 1992–93 season, he was considered a restricted free agent.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Calgary Flames signed him to an offer sheet on a three-year contract worth $2.7 million, $1.5 million higher than what the Jets had been offering. Though concerned about paying such a high salary, Winnipeg exercised its right to match the offer.<ref name="NHL9293Retrospective" /> Selänne made his NHL debut on October 6, 1992, and recorded two assists in a 4–1 Jets victory over the Detroit Red Wings. He scored his first career NHL goal two nights later against goaltender Jeff Hackett of the San Jose Sharks.<ref name="MyFirstGoal" />
Selänne scored his first career hat trick in his fifth contest and had 11 goals in his first 12 NHL games.<ref name="NHL9293Retrospective" /> He finished the season with 16 multi-goal games, including four hat-tricks and a four-goal game, en route to breaking the NHL record for goals by a rookie.<ref name="MyFirstGoal" /> He surpassed Mike Bossy's record of 53 goals on March 2, 1993, against the Quebec Nordiques and on March 23, scored his 110th point, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, to break Peter Šťastný's rookie points record.<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> Selänne finished the season tied for fifth in scoring with 132 points, and his 76 goals tied with Alexander Mogilny for the League lead.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His offensive exploits helped pull the Jets into the 1993 Stanley Cup playoffs, where they lost a first-round matchup to the Vancouver Canucks.<ref name="NHL9293Retrospective" /> In recognition of his season, Selänne was voted the recipient of the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year,<ref name="LOHCalder" /> was named to the first All-Star team and played in his first of ten career NHL All-Star Games.<ref name="LOH" />
Unable to maintain a similar pace in 1993–94—indeed, his rookie totals in goals and points would both prove his career-high by more than 20—Selänne's offensive production declined by 30 percent midway through the season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored his 100th career goal on January 12, 1994, against the Buffalo Sabres, reaching the milestone in his 130th game, the second-fastest in NHL history and only one game later than Bossy.<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> Selänne finished the season with 54 points in 51 games,<ref name="NHLStats" /> but missed the final 33 games of the season after suffering a severed Achilles tendon in a January 26 game against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> The 1994–95 NHL lockout resulted in Selänne splitting the season between Jokerit and the Jets.<ref name="LOH" /> While playing in Finland, Selänne was named to the tournament all-star team as Jokerit won the 1994 European Cup.<ref name="EliteProspects" />
Selänne's future in Winnipeg, a small, often cash-strapped market came into question several times during this career, to the extent that pundits reported at the 1995 NHL entry draft that he may be traded out of Winnipeg around the time of the draft (at which point he was unsigned).<ref name="1995DraftLivestream">Template:Cite AV media</ref> While a trade in the off-season never materialized, Selänne's career in Winnipeg came to an end midway through the following 1995–96 season. He was leading the Jets with 72 points when, on February 6, 1996, he was traded to Anaheim. The Mighty Ducks sent first-round draft picks Chad Kilger and Oleg Tverdovsky, along with a third-round selection at the 1996 NHL entry draft, in exchange for Selänne, Marc Chouinard and a fourth-round draft pick.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Selänne was upset when notified of the deal during practice and left the Winnipeg Arena without speaking to anyone.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–2001)
Following a period of adjustment, Selänne gained an appreciation for his new team; he quickly came to call the deal the best thing that ever happened to him.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Subscription required</ref> He was paired with Paul Kariya, whom he met at the 1996 NHL All-Star Game, and the duo were counted on to lead the young franchise to a postseason berth for the first time.<ref name="SITopDog" /> Selänne scored 36 points in 28 games with the Ducks, and combined with his Jets totals, finished the 1995–96 season with 108 points. He followed it up with a third 100-point season in 1996–97, finishing with 109, including 51 goals.<ref name="NHLStats" /> He was named to the first All-Star team for a second time,<ref name="LOH" /> while he and Kariya led the Mighty Ducks into the franchise's first playoff appearance in 1997.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite being criticized as being a "one-line team", Anaheim defeated the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round before being eliminated by the Detroit Red Wings.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The 1998 All-Star Game was Selänne's fifth, and after scoring a hat-trick, he became the first European player to be named the MVP in the All-Star Game's 46-year history.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He finished the 1997–98 season with his third career 50-goal season; his total of 52 tied Peter Bondra for the NHL lead, and he scored his 500th career point on January 12, 1998, with an assist against the Los Angeles Kings.<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> He was a finalist for both the Hart Memorial Trophy as the League's MVP (finishing third) and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for gentlemanly conduct (as the runner-up), and was named to the second All-Star team.<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> The NHL created the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 1998–99 to be presented to the League's leading goal scorer; Selänne became its inaugural winner following a 47-goal season.<ref name="LOHRichard" />
San Jose Sharks (2001–2003)
An 85-point season followed in 1999–2000, and he was the Mighty Ducks' leading scorer with 59 points through 61 games in 2000–01.<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> Anaheim, however, sat in last place in the Western Conference, and on March 5, 2001, chose to make a trade. Selänne was sent to San Jose in exchange for Jeff Friesen, Steve Shields and a second-round selection in the 2003 NHL entry draft.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Selänne's debut with the Sharks was delayed by two weeks as he underwent minor surgery to remove loose cartilage in his knee the following day.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After finishing the season with 13 points in 12 games with San Jose, Selänne led the Sharks with 29 goals in 2001–02. He also led the team in both goals (28; tied) and points (64) in 2002–03.<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> As the Sharks fell out of the playoff race, they looked to make changes; the New Jersey Devils sought to acquire Selänne,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but he exercised a no-trade clause in his contract and blocked the deal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Colorado Avalanche (2003–2004)
Selänne then declined an option in his contract that would have paid $6.5 million in 2003–04 and instead opted to sign a one-year, $5.8 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche, where he was joined by former Anaheim teammate Paul Kariya. The pair chose to sign with the Avalanche together in the belief it was their best chance at winning the Stanley Cup.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Their hope failed to materialize, however, as Selänne endured a disastrous season in which he scored only 16 goals and 32 points—the lowest totals of his career to that date—and was ultimately relegated to Colorado's fourth line, but was also held out of the lineup as a healthy scratch during a playoff game.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He struggled throughout the year with knee problems that ultimately required surgery, his third such procedure, and with the 2004–05 season canceled by a labour dispute, took the time off to recover.<ref name="ReturnDucks">Template:Cite news</ref>
Return to Anaheim (2005–2014)
A free agent when the NHL resumed play in 2005–06, Selänne returned to Anaheim by signing a one-year, $1 million contract with the Mighty Ducks.<ref name="ReturnDucks" /> As his usual number 8 was being worn by defenceman Sandis Ozoliņš, Selänne returned to wearing number 13, the number he had originally worn during his first two NHL seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. During a resurgent season, he scored his 1,000th career point on January 30, 2006, with a goal in a 4–3 victory over Los Angeles.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Selänne completed the season with 40 goals and 90 points, both of which led the Mighty Ducks,<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> and he was named the recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for dedication and perseverance.<ref name="LOHMasterton" />
After reaching the Western Conference Final in the 2006 playoffs, the newly renamed Anaheim Ducks entered the 2006–07 season with high expectations; the team brought Selänne back with a one-year, $3.75 million contract.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He reached several milestones during the season: Selänne became the 36th player in NHL history, and second Finn after Jari Kurri, to score 500 goals, on November 22, 2006, against Colorado.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On December 31, he played his 1,000th NHL game.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As part of a season in which he again led Anaheim in goals (48) and points (94), Selänne played in his tenth All-Star Game in 2007,<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> and scored his first hat-trick in six years (the 19th of his career) on January 12, 2007. It was the same day he spoke with a friend in Finland with terminal cancer who asked to be sent the game puck if Selänne had a three-goal game.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Finally, he scored his 301st goal as a Duck on February 18, 2007, to break Paul Kariya's franchise record.<ref name="1213DucksMG89" />
Early in the 2007 playoffs, Selänne became Anaheim's all-time leading playoff scorer when he recorded his 30th point as a Duck with an assist on April 13 against the Minnesota Wild.<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> The Ducks defeated the Wild, Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings to reach the Stanley Cup Finals; it was the first time in Selänne's career that he played in the NHL's championship series. As the sentimental favourite to win the Stanley Cup, his teammates motivated themselves to win the title for his benefit; Ducks goaltender Jean-Sébastien Giguère noted, "We don't have any better teammate. He's a guy who always has fun. He deserves this and if we can help him along the way, that would be great. I'd just love to see Teemu win this thing."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Selänne finished the playoffs with 15 points in 21 games,<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> and after 14 NHL seasons, the 36-year-old Selänne raised the Stanley Cup with his teammates after defeating the Ottawa Senators in five games.<ref name="SCChamps">Template:Cite news</ref>
Following the Cup win, Selänne contemplated retirement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He remained undecided on a return—and as a free agent, out of the Ducks lineup to begin the 2007–08 season—until he finally chose to return and signed a one-year contract with Anaheim on January 28, 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his return on February 5 against the New York Islanders, and the Ducks posted the League's best record from that point to the end of the regular season by winning 20 of 26 games.<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> In his third game back, Selänne scored his 670th point as a member of the Ducks with an assist in a 4–2 victory over the Calgary Flames. With it, he broke Kariya's franchise record of 669.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Selänne returned to the Ducks in 2008–09 and signed a two-year contract.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He missed several weeks of the season due to a quad muscle injury suffered when he was cut by his own skate following a hit by Denis Grebeshkov of the Edmonton Oilers,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but appeared in 65 games and scored 54 points.<ref name="NHLStats" /> He played his 1,100th game during the season, became the sixth European player to score 1,200 career points and appeared in his 100th career playoff game.<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> Selänne reached additional milestones in 2009–10, as he became the 18th player in NHL history to score 600 goals, accomplishing the feat on March 21, 2010, against the Colorado Avalanche and upon scoring his 602nd goal on April 2 against the Vancouver Canucks, surpassing his childhood idol, Jari Kurri.<ref name="201011Contract">Template:Cite news</ref>
Selänne finished eighth in NHL scoring in 2010–11 with 31 goals and 49 assists in 73 games. His 80 points was the third-highest in NHL history by a player over the age of 40 (Gordie Howe, 103 and Johnny Bucyk, 83).<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> He also scored his 1,300th point, achieving the mark with a two-goal performance on January 16, 2011, against Edmonton.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Questions about whether Selänne would return for another NHL season had become an annual topic of discussion, and his decision to return for 2011–12 was delayed by a knee operation that left him uncertain if he would be capable of playing.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Nonetheless, Selänne appeared in every game for the Ducks and became the oldest player in NHL history to play an entire 82-game season while leading the team with 66 points.<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> 15 years after the original Jets relocated, a new Winnipeg Jets franchise joined the NHL, and fans in the Manitoba capital continued to view Selänne as a local hero. In his first return to Winnipeg, he was cheered by exuberant fans who booed every other Ducks player.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Selänne was named to the Western Conference roster for the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, but declined his invitation and asked the league to instead send his teammate Corey Perry.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Following a 24-point effort in the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, Selänne announced that 2013–14 would be the 21st and final season of his NHL career.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He missed several games early in the season after he was struck in the face by an errant stick that knocked out several teeth and required 40 stitches to close cuts.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Selänne recorded 27 points in 64 games for the Ducks;<ref name="NHLStats" /> his final regular season game, a 3–2 victory over Colorado, was a celebration of his career. He wore the captain's "C" in place of Ryan Getzlaf for the game and as it neared conclusion, received standing ovations from the Anaheim crowd each time he took a shift. Selänne was named the game's first, second and third star following the game and took a celebratory lap with Colorado goaltender and former Anaheim teammate Jean-Sébastien Giguère, who was also contemplating retirement.<ref name="LastRegGame">Template:Cite news</ref>
Selänne made his final postseason appearance during the 2014 playoffs. He had six points in 12 games,<ref name="NHLStats" /> but was also held out of the lineup for one game against the Dallas Stars, a decision that angered Ducks fans.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He played his final game on May 16, 2014, as the Ducks were eliminated by Los Angeles. Following the contest, Selänne was saluted by fans, teammates and opponents alike, and took a final lap around the rink.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
International
Template:MedalTableTop Template:MedalSport Template:MedalCountry Template:Medal Template:Medal Template:Medal Template:Medal Template:Medal Template:MedalCompetition Template:MedalSilver Template:MedalBronze Template:MedalCompetition Template:Medal Template:MedalCompetition Template:MedalSilver Template:MedalBronze Template:MedalCompetition Template:Medal Template:MedalBottom Selänne's international debut came with the Finland national junior team. He recorded 16 points in six games at the 1988 European Junior Championship and was named to the tournament all-star team.<ref name="LOH" /> After participating in the 1989 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships for the sixth place Finns, Selänne made his debut with the senior team at the 1991 World Championship where he finished third in tournament scoring with 11 points for the fifth-place finishers.<ref name="1112IIHFMG" /> After playing in the 1991 Canada Cup,<ref name="LOH" /> he made his Olympic debut at the 1992 Albertville Games.<ref name="FabulousFinns">Template:Cite news</ref> Selänne tied for the tournament scoring lead with seven goals, and was tied for fourth in overall scoring at 11 points.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
It was four years before Selänne returned to international play; he appeared in the 1996 World Championship and the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and averaged over one point per game in both tournaments as Finland finished fifth each time. At the 1998 Winter Olympics, Selänne finished with ten points in five games.<ref name="1112IIHFMG" /> He was the tournament's leading scorer on a Finnish team that he described in 2003 as the best he ever played on and the best in the tournament, but lost the semifinal, 7–4 to Russia.<ref name="2003Favourites">Template:Cite news</ref> He suffered an abdominal muscle injury that prevented him from playing in the third place game, which Finland won 3–2 over Canada; Selänne and his teammates ended the tournament as the bronze medal winners.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The Finns finished one position higher at the 1999 World Championship; The tournament's medal round was conducted in a two-game series format followed by a ten-minute sudden victory overtime if the each team wins one game.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Finland and Sweden split their semifinal, but the Finns advanced to the final in the overtime period after Selänne set up Marko Tuomainen's winning goal.<ref name="IIHFRecords">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Czech Republic defeated Finland to capture the gold medal, also in a sudden victory period.<ref name="IIHFRecords" /> Selänne finished the tournament with 11 points, was named to the all-star team and was voted the most valuable player of the World Championship.<ref name="LOH" />
Selänne served as the Finnish captain at the 2002 Winter Olympics and led his nation to an important preliminary round victory over Russia,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> however he had only three goals and no assists in four games as the Finns finished in sixth place.<ref name="1112IIHFMG" /> The World Championship was held in Finland, and the hosts were hailed as the favourite to win the title.<ref name="2003Favourites" /> Though Selänne led the tournament with eight goals,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Finland lost their quarterfinal match against Sweden and finished fifth overall.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The 2004 World Cup of Hockey was played after Selänne's difficult NHL season with Colorado. For Selänne, the tournament was about recovering his joy at playing hockey.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Finns went undefeated to reach the final, but Selänne and his teammates had to settle for second place after losing the championship game to Canada, 3–2.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Returning to the national team for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Selänne joined Jere Lehtinen and Saku Koivu on what The Hockey News called the best team Finland has ever produced.<ref name="THN2006Olympics">Template:Cite news</ref> The Finns outscored their opposition 19–2 in the group stage, then defeated the United States and shut-out Russia in the semi-final. The Finns, however, were overcome in the final by Sweden, 3–2, and were relegated to the silver medal.<ref name="THN2006Olympics" /> Selänne scored six goals and 11 points in the tournament, was named to the all-star team and received the Directorate Award as top forward.<ref name="1112IIHFMG" />
Selänne stated he would retire from international competition after a bronze medal-winning performance followed at the 2008 IIHF World Championship.<ref name="TeemusTerms">Template:Cite journal</ref> However, he returned to play in his fifth Olympic tournament at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Selänne became the all-time leading scorer in Olympic hockey history on February 19, 2010, as he recorded his 37th point in competition in a game against Germany.<ref name="ByTheNumbers">Template:Cite news</ref> The Finns won the bronze medal with a 5–3 victory over Slovakia in the third-place game.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Selänne was named to the Finnish team for the 2014 Sochi Olympics, which marked his sixth appearance at the tournament.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the quarterfinals, Selänne scored a goal and an assist as the Finns ousted the host Russians from the tournament, then added two goals in the bronze medal match in a 5–0 victory over the United States.<ref name="SochiBronze">Template:Cite news</ref> The 43-year-old Selänne became the oldest player to win a medal in Olympic hockey,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> a record later broken by compatriot Riikka Sallinen in 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was named most valuable player of the Olympic tournament as selected by the media,<ref name="mvp"/> and added six points to his Olympic record career total of 43.<ref name="OlympicPointsRecord">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Playing style
Selänne's primary attribute is his skating speed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Nicknamed the "Finnish Flash",<ref name="PodnieksPlayers" /> he uses his speed to evade opposition defenders.<ref name="OlderNotSlower">Template:Cite news</ref> According to defenceman Nicklas Lidström, "He's one of those snipers that can put the puck on net because he finds openings and he knows where to be on the ice.<ref name="OlderNotSlower" /> Former teammate Jean-Sébastien Giguère added, "He's just a very elegant player. He's got a very nice stride to his skating, he plays with a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm ... with the skill he has, it just makes for a heck of a great player."<ref name="OlderNotSlower" />
An elite offensive player, Selänne is the highest scoring Finnish-born player in NHL history. He ended his career with 684 goals, 12th all-time in NHL history, and 1,457 points, 15th best.<ref name="LastRegGame" /> His 110 game-winning goals tied him with Brett Hull for fourth all-time.<ref name="1314FinalStats" /> Selänne is one of eight players to score 70 or more goals in one season, and he is the most recent player to do.<ref name="ByTheNumbers" /> He holds numerous records, including most goals, 76, and points, 132, by a rookie.<ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> Both totals are also single-season records for the Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes franchise.<ref name="1314Phx169" /> The holder of most major franchise records for the Ducks, Selänne leads the team at 457 goals, 531 assists, 988 points and 966 games played. He also holds single season records with 52 goals and 109 points.<ref name="1314FinalStats" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Even before his playing career had ended, the Ducks announced that Selänne's number 8 would be the first number retired by the franchise.<ref name="TeemusTerms" /> The team formally retired his number on January 11, 2015, prior to a game against the Jets.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Personal life
Selänne was born in Turku.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Selänne is known for his fun-loving personality and is known to make an effort to sign autographs and shake hands. He is well-respected in the NHL players, coaches, and fans, including those of opposing teams.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Selänne considers Paul Kariya and Joe Sakic to be the best friends he has made in the NHL,<ref name="TeachLesson" /> and both attended his final regular season game against the Avalanche.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
An avid car collector,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Selänne has entered the World Rally Championship (WRC) twice, finishing the Rally Finland 33rd overall in 1997 and 24th in 1998.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He raced under the pseudonym "Teukka Salama" ("Teddy Flash" in English).<ref name="9293Greatest" /> In 1999 Selänne was involved in a crash while practicing for a rally race in his native Finland, an incident that was national news in the country.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The vehicle he crashed into was driven by Finnish Ice Hockey Association president Kalervo Kummola, which put the latter into a wheelchair for four months.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Due to Finnish laws that set fines based on an offender's salary,<ref name="TeemusTerms" /> Selänne received a $50,000 fine for the incident.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
A popular figure in Finland,<ref name="OCWeekly">Template:Cite news</ref> Selänne's success in the NHL has been credited with aiding the growth of hockey in the country.<ref name="9293Greatest" /> He was once named the sexiest man in Finland by fashion magazine Eeva,<ref name="TeachLesson" /> and is the subject of the 2013 documentary film Selänne, directed by JP Siili, and which chronicles his life.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The film became the highest grossing documentary in Finnish history within a month of its September 27 release, and was the third highest grossing locally produced film of the year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
After retiring from professional ice hockey, Selänne has become an active political commentator on Twitter. Selänne has said that he got interested in politics in 2015 after Donald Trump started his political campaign.<ref name="SK">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Selänne supported Trump for president in the 2016 United States presidential election,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but has later stated that he has been falsely labeled a Trump supporter. In 2023, he mentioned Mike Pence and Ron DeSantis as politicians he prefers over Trump. In Finnish politics, Selänne has supported the centre-right National Coalition Party.<ref name="SK" /> In 2024, Selänne self-identified as a Republican and again endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election. It was the first American presidential election where he could vote.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Selänne opened a popular, Michelin-starred steakhouse in nearby Laguna Beach with longtime friend Jim Shumate, a longtime Orange County restaurant operator who finally found the Laguna Beach property after a 5-year search throughout Orange County.Template:Citation needed
In November 2019, Selänne released his authorized biography in North America titled "Teemu Selänne: My Life." In March 2024, Selänne and his wife Sirpa gained citizenship of the United States. They have lived in Southern California since 1996.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In May 2023, Selänne was announced to become one of the three presenters on Top Gear Suomi, the Finnish adaptation of Top Gear. The series, broadcast on MTV3 since 2024, follows the same format as the original program, with the hosts reviewing cars, taking part in challenges, and competing in various automotive-themed events. Selänne’s long-standing passion for cars and motorsport made him a central figure of the show.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Selänne starred in the August 1, 2024 movie "Minor Leaguer", alongside hockey legend Brett Hull.<ref name="IMDb">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
Bold indicates led league
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1986–87 | Jokerit | FIN U20 | 33 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | Jokerit | FIN U20 | 33 | 43 | 23 | 66 | 18 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 2 | ||
| 1987–88 | Jokerit | FIN.2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Jokerit | FIN U20 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Jokerit | FIN.2 | 35 | 36 | 33 | 69 | 14 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 4 | ||
| 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 | Jokerit | SM-l | 20 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 45 | 22 | 26 | 48 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 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 Jose Sharks | NHL | 12 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2001–02 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 82 | 29 | 25 | 54 | 40 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 2 | ||
| 2002–03 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 82 | 28 | 36 | 64 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 78 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 32 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2005–06 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 80 | 40 | 50 | 90 | 44 | 16 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 82 | 48 | 46 | 94 | 82 | 21 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 10 | ||
| 2007–08 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 26 | 12 | 11 | 23 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 2008–09 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 65 | 27 | 27 | 54 | 36 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 2009–10 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 54 | 27 | 21 | 48 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 73 | 31 | 49 | 80 | 49 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 12 | ||
| 2011–12 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 82 | 26 | 40 | 66 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 46 | 12 | 12 | 24 | 28 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 2013–14 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 64 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 12 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | ||
| SM-liiga totals | 117 | 83 | 68 | 151 | 38 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 18 | ||||
| NHL totals | 1,451 | 684 | 773 | 1,457 | 660 | 130 | 44 | 44 | 88 | 62 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Finland | EJC | 6 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 8 | |
| 1989 | Finland | WJC | 7 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | |
| 1991 | Finland | WC | 10 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 2 | |
| 1991 | Finland | CC | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1992 | Finland | OLY | 8 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 6 | |
| 1996 | Finland | WC | 6 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 0 | |
| 1996 | Finland | WCH | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | |
| 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 | |
| 2008 | Finland | WC | 9 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 12 | |
| 2010 | Finland | OLY | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2014 | Finland | OLY | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 4 | |
| Junior totals | 13 | 12 | 14 | 26 | 18 | |||
| Senior totals | 96 | 54 | 48 | 102 | 48 | |||
Awards and achievements
Template:Col-begin Template:Col-break
| Award | Year | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calder Memorial Trophy | 1993 | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| NHL All-Rookie Team | 1993 | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| First team All-Star | 1993 1997 |
<ref name="LOH" /> | |
| Played in NHL All-Star Game | 1993, 1994 1996, 1997 1998, 1999 2000, 2002 2003, 2007 |
<ref name="LOH" /> | |
| Second Team All-Star | 1998 1999 |
<ref name="LOH" /> | |
| Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy | 1999 | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy | 2006 | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| Stanley Cup champion | 2007 | <ref name="SCChamps" /> | |
| Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame | 2022 | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| Award | Year | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Finnish Jr. A League Champion | 1988 | <ref name="EliteProspects" /> |
| Raimo Kilpiö trophy | 1991 | <ref name="RKTrophy" /> |
| SM-liiga All-Star team | 1991 1992 |
<ref name="EliteProspects" /> |
| Aarne Honkavaara trophy | 1992 | <ref name="AHTrophy" /> |
| SM-liiga Kanada-malja Champion | 1992 | <ref name="EliteProspects" /> |
| Finnish ice hockey player of the year | 1993, 1996 1997, 1998 1999, 2000 2006, 2012 2014 |
<ref name="TradeGalls">Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Award | Year | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EJC All-Star team | 1988 | <ref name="LOH" /> | ||
| Izvestia Trophy (3rd place) | 1989 | |||
| World Championship Most Valuable Player | 1999 | <ref name="1112IIHFMG">Template:Cite book</ref> | ||
| World Championship All-Star team | 1999 | <ref name="1112IIHFMG" /> | ||
| Best Forward of the Olympic Games | 2006 | <ref name="1112IIHFMG" /> | ||
| Olympic All-Star team | 2006, 2014 | <ref name="1112IIHFMG" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | ||
| Most Valuable Player of the Olympic Games | 2014 | <ref name="mvp">Template:Cite news</ref> | ||
| Hockey Hall of Fame | 2017 | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |
CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| IIHF Hall of Fame | 2017 | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Records
| Record | Total | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHL record most goals by a rookie | 76, 1992–93 | <ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> | |
| NHL record most points by a rookie | 132, 1992–93 | <ref name="1213DucksMG89" /> | |
| NHL record, most goals by a Finnish-born player, career | 684 | <ref name="Bestat10" /><ref name="1314FinalStats" /> | |
| NHL record, most points by a Finnish-born player, career | 1,457 | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| Wpg/Ari franchise record most goals, single season | 76, 1992–93 | <ref name="1314Phx169">Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Wpg/Ari franchise record most points, single season | 132, 1992–93 | <ref name="1314Phx169" /> | |
| Wpg/Ari franchise record consecutive games with a goal | 9, March 15 – April 1, 1993 | <ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Anaheim franchise record most goals, career | 457 | <ref name="1314FinalStats">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="1314DucksMG274">Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Anaheim franchise record most goals, single season | 52, 1997–98 | <ref name="1314DucksMG274" /> | |
| Anaheim franchise record most assists, career | 531 | <ref name="1314FinalStats" /><ref name="1314DucksMG274" /> | |
| Anaheim franchise record second most points, career | 988 | <ref name="1314FinalStats" /><ref name="1314DucksMG274" /> | |
| Anaheim franchise record most points, single season | 109, 1996–97 | <ref name="1314DucksMG274" /> | |
| Anaheim Ducks' first ever playoff goal | 1997 | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| Anaheim franchise record most power play goals, career | 182 | <ref name="1314FinalStats" /><ref name="1314DucksMG274" /> | |
| Anaheim franchise record most power play assists, career | 224 (as of 2012–13) | <ref name="1314DucksMG274" /> | |
| Anaheim franchise record most power play points, career | 402 (as of 2012–13) | <ref name="1314DucksMG275">Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Anaheim franchise record most games played, career | 966 | <ref name="1314FinalStats" /><ref name="1314DucksMG274" /> | |
| Anaheim franchise record most hat tricks, career | 13 | <ref name="1314DucksMG284">Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Anaheim franchise record consecutive games with a goal | 11, October 21 – November 10, 1997 | <ref name="1314DucksMG276">Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Anaheim franchise record most assists, single game | 5, three times | <ref name="1314DucksMG287">Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Most points in Olympic competition, career | 43 | <ref name="OlympicPointsRecord" /> |
References
- Career Statistics: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }} Template:Reflist
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- 1970 births
- Living people
- Anaheim Ducks players
- Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winners
- Calder Trophy winners
- Colorado Avalanche players
- Finnish ice hockey right wingers
- Hockey Hall of Fame inductees
- Ice hockey players at the 1992 Winter Olympics
- Ice hockey players at the 1998 Winter Olympics
- Ice hockey players at the 2002 Winter Olympics
- Ice hockey players at the 2006 Winter Olympics
- Ice hockey players at the 2010 Winter Olympics
- Ice hockey players at the 2014 Winter Olympics
- IIHF Hall of Fame inductees
- Jokerit players
- Medalists at the 2014 Winter Olympics
- Medalists at the 2010 Winter Olympics
- Medalists at the 2006 Winter Olympics
- Medalists at the 1998 Winter Olympics
- Mighty Ducks of Anaheim players
- National Hockey League All-Stars
- NHL first-round draft picks
- Olympic bronze medalists for Finland
- Olympic ice hockey players for Finland
- Olympic silver medalists for Finland
- Ice hockey people from Helsinki
- Rocket Richard Trophy winners
- San Jose Sharks players
- Stanley Cup champions
- Winnipeg Jets (1979–1996) draft picks
- Winnipeg Jets (1979–1996) players
- Finnish twins
- Olympic medalists in ice hockey
- Finnish expatriates in the United States
- Naturalized citizens of the United States
- 21st-century Finnish sportsmen