When was SaiPa founded?

SaiPa was founded in 1948 in Lappeenranta, FIN, Finland.

Where is SaiPa based?

SaiPa is based in Lappeenranta, FIN.

Who is the head coach of SaiPa?

The head coach of SaiPa is Heikki Mälkiä.

Who is the captain of SaiPa?

The captain of SaiPa is Ari Santanen.

What arena does SaiPa play in?

SaiPa play their home games at Lappeenrannan jäähalli in Lappeenranta, FIN.

Who is the general manager of SaiPa?

The general manager of SaiPa is Ilkka Kaarna.

What are the team colors of SaiPa?

The team colors of SaiPa are Yellow + Black + White.

SaiPa

1997-1998

1997-1998 Season

SaiPa were 21-20-7 in the 1997-98 SM-liiga season with 49 points, 6th overall.

Embed Rosters

1997-1998 SaiPa Roster

SaiPa — 1997-1998 Roster
	Player	A	Born	Birthplace	HT	WT	S
GOALTENDERS
	Pasi Häkkinen (G)	49	1977	Lappeenranta, FIN	5'10"	181	L
	Jussi Markkanen (G)	51	1975	Imatra, FIN	6'0"	185	L
DEFENSEMEN
	Tommi Hyyrynen (D)	51	1975	Lappeenranta, FIN	6'0"	176	L
	Riku Kallioniemi (D)	55	1970	Uusikaupunki, FIN	5'10"	183	L
	Petri Kokko (D)	51	1975	Oulu, FIN	5'11"	187	L
	Jussi Kukkonen (D)	47	1979	Savonlinna, FIN	6'1"	185	L
	Yuri Kuznetsov (D)	61	1965	Moskva, RUS	5'11"	192	R
	Mikko Myllykoski (D)"A"	54	1972	Lappeenranta, FIN	5'10"	176	R
	Jussi Pekkala (D)	52	1974	Uusikaupunki, FIN	6'1"	201	L
	Vesa Ruotsalainen (D)	60	1966	Imatra, FIN	5'11"	194	L
	Antti Tuomenoksa (D)"A"	59	1967	Lappeenranta, FIN	6'0"	185	L
FORWARDS
	Tero Hämäläinen (C)	54	1972	Turku, FIN	6'1"	190	R
	Ville Immonen (C)	50	1976	Helsinki, FIN	6'5"	227	L
	Michael Johansson (C)	52	1974	Ängelholm, SWE	5'9"	181	L
	Mika Kauppinen (C)	55	1971	Imatra, FIN	6'0"	187	L
	Aleksandrs Macijevskis (RW)	51	1975	Riga, LAT	5'10"	187	L
	Xavier Majic (C)	53	1973	Fernie, BC, CAN	6'0"	187	L
	Jari Mannila (F)	47	1979	Lappeenranta, FIN	5'11"	183	R
	Dale McTavish (RW)	54	1972	Eganville, ON, CAN	6'2"	205	L
	Jukka Penttinen (LW)	55	1971	Kuopio, FIN	6'0"	190	R
	Juha-Pekka Rinkinen (RW)	50	1975	Imatra, FIN	5'10"	185	L
	Ari Saarinen (LW)	58	1967	Imatra, FIN	6'2"	190	L
	Joel Salonen (F)	52	1974	Hämeenlinna, FIN	5'10"	183	L
	Ari Santanen (RW)"C"	57	1969	Pori, FIN	5'10"	183	R
	Mika Skyttä (LW)	53	1973	Varkaus, FIN	6'1"	198	R
	Tommi Sova (C)	51	1975	Oulu, FIN	5'11"	187	L
	Pasi Volotinen (C)	52	1974	Joensuu, FIN	5'11"	185	L
Position: G: 1, D: 8, F: 14Av Age: 25.83 yearsAv Ht: 5'11"Av Wt: 187 lbsCompare with other teams »

1997-1998 SaiPa Staff

Head CoachHeikki Mälkiä
Goaltending CoachMarkku Innanen
General ManagerIlkka Kaarna
Team ManagerJukka Tuovinen
Equipment ManagerMarko Puroharju
Head Equipment ManagerMarkku Puroharju

Team Staff History

1997-1998 SaiPa Captains

"C"

Ari Santanen

"A"

Team Captaincy History

Stories

Insights and analysis from EP Editorial team

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2019-08-12, 16:30

EP Rinkside Prospect Pool Rankings: No. 7 Ranked New York Islanders

2019-07-22, 17:27

EP Rinkside Prospect Pool Rankings: No. 25 Ranked Winnipeg Jets

All Articles

1997-1998 SaiPa Demographics

SaiPa Facts

Plays in: Liiga
Team Colors: Yellow + Black + White
Town: Lappeenranta, FIN Map
Founded: 1948

1997-1998 SaiPa Roster Facts

Nationalities

22 players
2 players
1 player
1 player
1 player

Experience

SaiPa: 2 912 GP
NHL: 9 GP
WC: 8 GP
SHL: 95 GP
Liiga: 3 259 GP
AHL: 148 GP

Affiliated Team(s)

Ketterä (Mestis)
Ketterä U20 (U20 Mestis)
SaiPa U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

Arena Information

Arena Name: Lappeenrannan jäähalli
Location: Lappeenranta, FIN
Capacity: 4 820
Construction Year: 1972

SaiPa Games

SaiPa — 1997-1998 Games
date	home	visiting	score	league
10/15/2026 03:30 PM UTC	SaiPa	HPK	-	Liiga
10/14/2026 03:30 PM UTC	SaiPa	HC Plzen	-	Champions HL
10/08/2026 03:30 PM UTC	SaiPa	JYP	1 - 2	Liiga
10/06/2026 06:20 PM UTC	Graz99ers	SaiPa	1 - 3	Champions HL
10/03/2026 02:00 PM UTC	SaiPa	Jokerit	3 - 2	Liiga

RSS

Latest Transactions

SaiPa — Latest Transactions
Date	Status		Player	Team	Source
10/08/2026	Confirmed	leaving	Niklas Appelgren (F)	Ketterä	Details
09/18/2026	Confirmed	leaving	Tomi Karhunen (G)	Jokerit	Details
08/27/2026	Confirmed	leaving	Richard Zemlicka (F)	HC Plzeň	Details
07/29/2026	Confirmed	joining	Richard Zemlicka (F)	Youngstown Phantoms	Details
07/03/2026	Confirmed	leaving	Teemu Kivihalme (D)	HC Bolzano	Details
06/04/2026	Confirmed	leaving	Lenni Tiihonen (F)	Ketterä	Details
05/20/2026	Confirmed	leaving	Emil Kuusla (F)	Jokerit	Details
05/19/2026	Extension		Ville-Veikko Hiltunen (G)		Details

Show Complete Transfer Coverage

SaiPa History and Standings

SaiPa — Season History
season	league	GP	W	L	T	OTW	OTL	GF	GA	PTS	PPG	rank	postseason
2026-2027	Liiga	11	5	3	-	2	1	30	20	20	1.82	8	-
2025-2026	Liiga	60	31	16	-	6	7	204	162	112	1.87	3	Bronze game win
2024-2025	Liiga	60	30	20	-	6	4	178	170	106	1.77	5	Final loss
2023-2024	Liiga	60	5	35	-	10	10	125	231	45	0.75	15	Did not make playoffs
2022-2023	Liiga	60	8	35	-	7	10	124	222	48	0.8	15	Did not make playoffs
2021-2022	Liiga	60	15	35	-	3	7	128	193	58	0.97	14	Did not make playoffs
2020-2021	Liiga	53	13	31	-	3	6	95	147	51	0.96	13	Did not make playoffs
2019-2020	Liiga	59	22	37	-	4	4	123	185	66	1.12	12	Did not make playoffs
2018-2019	Liiga	60	21	24	-	10	5	156	162	88	1.47	9	Playoffs Qualifier loss
2017-2018	Liiga	60	21	20	-	11	8	153	163	93	1.55	7	Quarterfinal loss
2016-2017	Liiga	60	14	33	-	5	8	116	181	60	1	15	Did not make playoffs
2015-2016	Liiga	60	27	20	-	5	8	178	146	99	1.65	5	Quarterfinal loss
2014-2015	Liiga	60	23	21	-	9	7	151	146	94	1.57	8	Quarterfinal loss
2013-2014	Liiga	60	26	21	-	9	4	160	134	100	1.67	4	Bronze game loss
2012-2013	SM-liiga	60	23	24	-	7	6	162	173	89	1.48	9	Playoffs Qualifier loss
2011-2012	SM-liiga	60	18	24	-	5	13	155	176	77	1.28	11	Did not make playoffs
2010-2011	SM-liiga	60	16	31	-	4	9	137	186	65	1.08	12	Did not make playoffs
2009-2010	SM-liiga	58	20	27	-	6	5	154	176	77	1.33	11	Did not make playoffs
2008-2009	SM-liiga	58	17	34	-	4	3	136	174	62	1.07	14	Saved in play-out
2007-2008	SM-liiga	56	15	29	-	5	7	115	155	62	1.11	11	Did not make playoffs
2006-2007	SM-liiga	56	20	28	-	4	4	150	181	72	1.29	11	Did not make playoffs
2005-2006	SM-liiga	56	23	21	-	6	6	149	130	87	1.55	7	Quarterfinal loss
2004-2005	SM-liiga	56	11	33	-	7	5	145	195	52	0.93	12	Did not make playoffs
2003-2004	SM-liiga	56	11	33	12	-	-	127	194	36	0.64	12	Did not make playoffs
2002-2003	SM-liiga	56	19	31	6	-	-	134	172	48	0.86	11	Did not make playoffs
2001-2002	SM-liiga	56	13	39	4	-	-	124	202	31	0.55	13	Did not make playoffs
2000-2001	SM-liiga	56	24	29	3	-	-	152	154	51	0.91	10	Did not make playoffs
1999-2000	SM-liiga	54	16	25	13	-	-	154	185	45	0.83	9	Did not make playoffs
1998-1999	SM-liiga	54	25	24	4	-	-	141	153	54	1	6	Bronze game loss
1997-1998	SM-liiga	48	21	20	7	-	-	135	142	49	1.02	6	Quarterfinal loss

SaiPa Tournament Statistics

SaiPa — Tournament Statistics
season	tournament	GP	W	L	T	OTW	OTL	GF	GA	PTS	PPG	rank	postseason
2026-2027	Champions HL	5	3	1	-	0	1	16	14	10	2	6	-
2016-2017	Champions HL	4	3	0	-	1	0	17	9	11	2.75	1	Eighth Final Loss
2014-2015	Champions HL	6	4	1	-	1	0	18	11	14	2.33	1	Quarterfinal loss
1970-1971	Suomen Cup	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-
1969-1970	Suomen Cup	1	0	1	-	-	-	3	4	-	-	-	First round loss
1964-1965	Suomen Cup	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-
1957-1958	Suomen Cup	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-

SaiPa Retired Numbers

Where Are They Now?

Played in the team during season

SaiPa — Where Are They Now
#	player	season	team	league	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
1.	Yegor Chizhikov (F)	2026-2027	Shakhter Soligorsk	Belarus	9	5	11	16	8
2.	Emil Järventie (F)	2026-2027	Tappara U20	U20 SM-sarja	10	12	3	15	4
3.	Joona Jääskeläinen (F)	2026-2027	HK Spisska Nova Ves	Extraliga	9	4	10	14	4
4.	Dante Salituro (F)	2026-2027	Sheffield Steeldogs	NIHL	6	8	5	13	4
5.	Oliver Kjær (F)	2026-2027	Esbjerg Energy	Metal Ligaen	10	4	7	11	2
6.	David Goodwin (F)	2026-2027	Belfast Giants	-	6	2	9	11	2
7.	Ville Vainikainen (F)	2026-2027	Chamonix	Ligue Magnus	9	5	5	10	0
8.	Nick Halloran (F)	2026-2027	Straubing Tigers	DEL	7	4	6	10	6
9.	Emil Kuusla (F)	2026-2027	Jokerit	Liiga	10	1	9	10	6
10.	Topi Piipponen (F)	2026-2027	Tölzer Löwen	Oberliga	7	4	5	9	2

View Complete List

Average Height, Weight, Age Per Season

SaiPa — Roster Demographics
Season	Roster	Height	Weight	Age
2026-2027	View Roster	6'0"	187 lbs	24.37
2025-2026	View Roster	6'0"	185 lbs	25.85
2024-2025	View Roster	6'0"	190 lbs	26.06
2023-2024	View Roster	6'0"	190 lbs	24.50
2022-2023	View Roster	6'1"	192 lbs	24.82

View 20 Latest Seasons

Regular Season

Franchise All-Time Points

SaiPa — Franchise All-Time Points
#	Player	GP	G	A	TP
1.	Heikki Mälkiä (F)	475	201	242	443
2.	Martti Sinkkonen (F)	328	191	159	350
3.	Ari Santanen (F)	447	147	189	336
4.	Matti Nevalainen (F)	379	112	184	296
5.	Pekka Nieminen (F)	280	152	112	264

Franchise All-Time Goals

SaiPa — Franchise All-Time Goals
#	Player	GP	G	A	TP
1.	Heikki Mälkiä (F)	475	201	242	443
2.	Martti Sinkkonen (F)	328	191	159	350
3.	Esko Heikkeri (F)	296	155	77	232
4.	Pekka Nieminen (F)	280	152	112	264
5.	Ari Santanen (F)	447	147	189	336

Franchise All-Time Assists

SaiPa — Franchise All-Time Assists
#	Player	GP	G	A	TP
1.	Heikki Mälkiä (F)	475	201	242	443
2.	Ari Santanen (F)	447	147	189	336
3.	Matti Nevalainen (F)	379	112	184	296
4.	Martti Sinkkonen (F)	328	191	159	350
5.	Ville Koho (F)	853	102	158	260

Franchise All-Time Penalty Min.

SaiPa — Franchise All-Time Penalty Min.
#	Player	GP	G	TP	PIM
1.	Pauli Levokari (D)	256	17	50	606
2.	Vesa Ruotsalainen (D)	429	53	133	567
3.	Riku Kallioniemi (D)	422	23	101	535
4.	Ari Suutari (D)	349	34	137	480
5.	Petri Peronmaa (D)	391	69	160	468

Franchise All-Time Games Played

SaiPa — Franchise All-Time Games Played
#	Player	GP	G	A	TP
1.	Ville Koho (F)	853	102	158	260
2.	Heikki Mälkiä (F)	475	201	242	443
3.	Mika Skyttä (F)	464	63	69	132
4.	Ari Santanen (F)	447	147	189	336
5.	Simon Backman (D)	444	24	63	87

Franchise All-Time Points Per Game

SaiPa — Franchise All-Time Points Per Game
#	Player	GP	G	TP	PPG
1.	Jussi Piuhola (F)	59	63	90	1.53
2.	Roman Bozek (F)	31	28	44	1.42
3.	Otakar Janecký (F)	44	21	60	1.36
4.	Ralph Cox (F)	99	70	126	1.27
5.	Harri Asikainen ()	102	65	125	1.23

Franchise All-Time Points Per Season

SaiPa — Franchise All-Time Points Per Season
#	Player	Season	League	GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM
1.	Ari Santanen (F)	1994-1995	I-divisioona	46	29	44	73	1.59	55
2.	Reijo Mansikka (F)	1987-1988	I-divisioona	44	31	35	66	1.50	46
3.	Maxime Fortier (F)	2025-2026	Liiga	58	29	37	66	1.14	42
4.	Tero Hämäläinen (F)	1994-1995	I-divisioona	46	37	26	63	1.37	28
5.	Tommi Takanen (F)	1986-1987	I-divisioona	44	29	33	62	1.41	18

Franchise All-Time Goals Per Season

SaiPa — Franchise All-Time Goals Per Season
#	Player	Season	League	GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM
1.	Tero Hämäläinen (F)	1994-1995	I-divisioona	46	37	26	63	1.37	28
2.	Esko Heikkeri (F)	1979-1980	I-divisioona	36	37	14	51	1.42	32
3.	Tero Hämäläinen (F)	1993-1994	I-divisioona	46	34	17	51	1.11	36
4.	Reijo Mansikka (F)	1987-1988	I-divisioona	44	31	35	66	1.50	46
5.	Jussi Piuhola (F)	1971-1972	Suomen sarja	13	31	8	39	3.00	0

Franchise All-Time Assists Per Season

SaiPa — Franchise All-Time Assists Per Season
#	Player	Season	League	GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM
1.	Otto Kivenmäki (F)	2025-2026	Liiga	60	11	46	57	0.95	18
2.	Ari Santanen (F)	1994-1995	I-divisioona	46	29	44	73	1.59	55
3.	David McIntyre (F)	2015-2016	Liiga	58	16	40	56	0.97	67
4.	Otakar Janecký (F)	1990-1991	SM-liiga	44	21	39	60	1.36	32
5.	Maxime Fortier (F)	2025-2026	Liiga	58	29	37	66	1.14	42

Franchise All-Time Penalty Min. Per Season

SaiPa — Franchise All-Time Penalty Min. Per Season
#	Player	Season	League	GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM
1.	Kristian Kudroc (D)	2005-2006	SM-liiga	48	10	12	22	0.46	227
2.	Pasi Nielikäinen (F)	2003-2004	SM-liiga	48	3	6	9	0.19	151
3.	Marko Ek (F)	1995-1996	I-divisioona	36	13	11	24	0.67	146
4.	Jeff Bes (F)	1996-1997	SM-liiga	40	10	12	22	0.55	146
5.	Kai Tervonen (D)	1995-1996	I-divisioona	39	19	25	44	1.13	141