Saara Elisa Niemi, née Tuominen (born 1 January 1986) is a Finnish retired ice hockey player and current general manager and head coach of HIFK Naiset of the Naisten Liiga (NSML). At the 2006 Torino Olympics, Tuominen competed for Finland. scoring one goal and four assists.[1] She was an alternate captain for Finland's women's ice hockey team at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver where the Finns won the bronze medal.
| Saara Niemi | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Niemi with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in 2010 | |||
| Born | 1 January 1986 Ylöjärvi, Finland | ||
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | ||
| Weight | 65 kg (143 lb; 10 st 3 lb) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | HIFK Helsinki Tampereen Ilves Minnesota Whitecaps Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs | ||
| Current NL coach | HIFK Naiset | ||
| Coached for | Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays Red Wings Helsinki | ||
| National team |  Finland | ||
| Playing career | 2004–2019 | ||
| Coaching career | 2015–present | ||
Medal record | |||
She graduated in 2010 from the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) and was a two-year captain of the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, the NCAA Division I national champions in 2008 and 2010. She was a 2009 and 2010 WCHA All-Academic Team member, a 2008 All-WCHA Third Team selection and a member of the 2007 All-WCHA Rookie Team.
Playing career
After graduation, she joined the Minnesota Whitecaps for their 2010–11 season. On 8 October, against former WCHA rival Minnesota Golden Gophers, Tuominen scored a goal.[2] The following day, against former WCHA rival St. Cloud State, she scored a goal.[3]
Career statistics
| Event | Goals | Assists | Points | Shots | PIM | +/- |
| 2010 Winter Olympics | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 | −3 |
Awards and honors
Gallery
Saara Tuominen takes a face-off during a game against the University of New Hampshire at the DECC arena in Duluth, MN on Saturday, 13 March 2010.
Saara Tuominen in a game against the University of New Hampshire at the DECC arena in Duluth, MN on Saturday, 13 March 2010.
Saara Tuominen in a game against the University of Wisconsin Badgers at the DECC arena in Duluth, MN on Sunday, 17 January 2010.
References
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com
- Saara Niemi at Olympics.com
- Saara Niemi at Olympedia
