When was Pelicans founded?

Pelicans was founded in 1996 in Lahti, FIN, Finland.

Where is Pelicans based?

Pelicans is based in Lahti, FIN.

Who is the head coach of Pelicans?

The head coach of Pelicans is Petteri Hirvonen.

Who is the captain of Pelicans?

The captain of Pelicans is Jari Kauppila.

What arena does Pelicans play in?

Pelicans play their home games at Wemasto Areena in Lahti, FIN.

What are the team colors of Pelicans?

The team colors of Pelicans are Teal + Black + White.

Pelicans

Liiga

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2002-2003

2002-2003 Season

Pelicans were 15-39-2 in the 2002-03 SM-liiga season with 36 points, 12th overall.

Embed Rosters

2002-2003 Pelicans Roster

Pelicans — 2002-2003 Roster
	#	Player	A	Born	Birthplace	HT	WT	S
GOALTENDERS
	#1	Sasu Hovi (G)Loan	44	1982	Toijala, FIN	5'9"	159	L
		Pasi Kuivalainen (G)	54	1972	Kuopio, FIN	5'11"	172	L
	#50	Lasse Malinen (G)	44	1982	Lahti, FIN	5'9"	170	L
	#31	Mikko Rämö (G)	46	1980	Lahti, FIN	6'0"	187	L
DEFENSEMEN
	#3	Martin Cech (D)		1976	Havlickuv Brod, CZE	6'1"	196	L
	#5	Ossi-Petteri Grönholm (D)	45	1981	Kotka, FIN	5'11"	207	L
	#26	Jan Latvala (D)"A"	54	1972	Jyväskylä, FIN	5'10"	179	L
	#44	Henri Laurila (D)	46	1980	Lahti, FIN	6'1"	216	R
	#7	Kaj Lindström (D)	46	1980	Lahti, FIN	6'0"	185	L
	#8	Jaako Niskavaara (D)	49	1977	Oulu, FIN	5'10"	172	R
	#9	Tero Paappanen (D)	46	1980	Järvenpää, FIN	6'0"	183	R
	#34	Jermu Pisto (D)	51	1975	Kuopio, FIN	6'1"	198	L
	#12	Jussi-Antti Reimari (D)	51	1975	Hollola, FIN	6'1"	196	L
	#4	Esa Saksinen (D)	44	1982	Lahti, FIN	6'0"	185	L
FORWARDS
	#32	Tomi Hirvonen (C)	49	1977	Tampere, FIN	5'11"	187	L
	#21	Olli Julkunen (RW)	45	1981	Oulu, FIN	6'1"	220	R
		Lasse Jämsen (RW)	52	1974	Jyväskylän mlk, FIN	5'10"	185	R
	#28	Joonas Jääskeläinen (RW)	53	1973	Helsinki, FIN	6'1"	190	L
	#30	Jari Kauppila (C)"C"	52	1974	Lammi, FIN	5'10"	185	R
	#22	Jani Keinänen (C)"A"	50	1976	Hämeenlinna, FIN	6'0"	192	L
	#27	Jussi-Mikko Makkonen (LW)	43	1982	Lahti, FIN	5'11"	194	L
	#20	Toni Mustonen (C)Loan	44	1982	Tuusula, FIN	5'11"	181	R
	#43	Toni Mäkiaho (RW)	51	1975	Tampere, FIN	6'0"	209	R
	#70	Veli-Pekka Nutikka (LW)	51	1975	Lappeenranta, FIN	6'1"	220	L
	#13	Grigorijs Pantelejevs (LW)	53	1972	Gastello, RUS	5'9"	185	L
	#10	Jussi Saarinen (LW)	43	1983	Lahti, FIN	5'10"	176	L
	#40	Toni Saarinen (LW)		1976	Hämeenlinna, FIN	5'11"	183	L
	#19	Teemu Sainomaa (C)	45	1981	Helsinki, FIN	6'4"	216	L
	#6	Tuomas Santavuori (LW)	41	1985	Savonlinna, FIN	5'11"	181	L
	#91	Oliver Setzinger (RW/LW)	43	1983	Horn, AUT	6'0"	196	L
	#18	Olli Sinkkonen (C)	44	1982	Lahti, FIN	5'9"	168	L
	#33	Jarkko Väänänen (RW)	49	1977	Vantaa, FIN	6'0"	190	L
Position: G: 4, D: 10, F: 18Av Age: 24.75 yearsAv Ht: 5'11"Av Wt: 187 lbsCompare with other teams »

2002-2003 Pelicans Staff

Head CoachPetteri Hirvonen
Equipment ManagerReijo Loukiainen
ScoutTommi Kerttula

Team Staff History

2002-2003 Pelicans Captains

"C"

Jari Kauppila

"A"

Team Captaincy History

Stories

Insights and analysis from EP Editorial team

2025-12-02, 15:02

Finland Stock Watch: 16-year-old Frans Karjalahti shining with HIFK U20

2025-10-06, 14:20

Finland Stock Watch: Alberts Šmits, Oliver Suvanto grabbing early attention for 2026 NHL Draft

2025-03-23, 12:46

Film Room: Daniel Nieminen making a case as one of the top over-agers in the 2025 draft

2025-03-02, 09:36

Finland Stock Watch: 2025 NHL Draft prospect Lasse Boelius bouncing back

2024-12-09, 15:12

Finland Stock Watch: Topias Hynninen emerging as a top re-entry for 2025 Draft

All Articles

2002-2003 Pelicans Demographics

Pelicans Facts

Plays in: Liiga
Team Colors: Teal + Black + White
Town: Lahti, FIN Map
Founded: 1996

2002-2003 Pelicans Roster Facts

Nationalities

29 players
1 player
1 player
1 player

Experience

Pelicans: 2 912 GP
NHL: 54 GP
WC: 52 GP
OG: 8 GP
SHL: 114 GP
Liiga: 5 984 GP
Czechia: 185 GP
AHL: 164 GP
DEL: 55 GP

Affiliated Team(s)

Pelicans U16 (U16 SM-sarja)
Pelicans U17 (U17 Ylempi)
Pelicans U18 (U18 SM-sarja)
Pelicans U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
Peliitat (II-divisioona)

Arena Information

Arena Name: Wemasto Areena
Location: Lahti, FIN
Capacity: 5 534
Construction Year: 1973

Pelicans Games

Pelicans — 2002-2003 Games
date	home	visiting	score	league
10/17/2026 02:00 PM UTC	KalPa	Pelicans	-	Liiga
10/16/2026 03:30 PM UTC	Pelicans	Sport	-	Liiga
10/09/2026 03:30 PM UTC	Pelicans	Kärpät	2 - 3 (OT 62:14)	Liiga
10/03/2026 02:00 PM UTC	KooKoo	Pelicans	3 - 6	Liiga
09/26/2026 02:00 PM UTC	Pelicans	HIFK	2 - 1	Liiga

RSS

Latest Transactions

Pelicans — Latest Transactions
Date	Status		Player	Team	Source
10/07/2026	Confirmed	leaving	Onni Käyhkö (D)	BIK Karlskoga	Details
10/02/2026	Loan	leaving	Eelis Teutari (F)	Pyry Hockey	Details
09/28/2026	Confirmed	leaving	Niklas Virtanen (F)	RoKi	Details
09/16/2026	Confirmed	leaving	Samuel Huzevka (D)	Unknown	Details
09/08/2026	Confirmed	leaving	Lukas Zetterberg (F)	Västerås IK	Details
09/04/2026	Extension		Jasper Lattu (G)		Details
08/21/2026	Confirmed	joining	Hannes Häkkilä (D)	Sport	Details
08/19/2026	Confirmed	leaving	Niklas Virtanen (F)	Unknown	Details

Show Complete Transfer Coverage

Pelicans History and Standings

Pelicans — Season History
season	league	GP	W	L	T	OTW	OTL	GF	GA	PTS	PPG	rank	postseason
2026-2027	Liiga	10	5	4	-	0	1	24	23	16	1.6	12	-
2025-2026	Liiga	60	20	24	-	9	7	137	156	85	1.42	11	Quarterfinal loss
2024-2025	Liiga	60	20	29	-	4	7	171	179	75	1.25	15	Saved in relegation
2023-2024	Liiga	60	31	17	-	4	8	177	147	109	1.82	3	Final loss
2022-2023	Liiga	60	30	21	-	4	5	166	136	103	1.72	4	Final loss
2021-2022	Liiga	60	25	21	-	4	10	142	142	93	1.55	9	Playoffs Qualifier loss
2020-2021	Liiga	58	25	21	-	10	2	169	147	97	1.67	6	Quarterfinal loss
2019-2020	Liiga	59	19	40	-	7	4	120	201	54	0.92	14	Did not make playoffs
2018-2019	Liiga	60	30	19	-	3	8	199	154	104	1.73	3	Quarterfinal loss
2017-2018	Liiga	60	20	24	-	7	9	165	175	83	1.38	10	Playoffs Qualifier loss
2016-2017	Liiga	60	23	21	-	8	8	157	150	93	1.55	6	Quarterfinal loss
2015-2016	Liiga	60	24	25	-	4	7	145	171	87	1.45	9	Quarterfinal loss
2014-2015	Liiga	60	16	30	-	6	8	125	166	68	1.13	12	Did not make playoffs
2013-2014	Liiga	60	25	24	-	6	5	156	155	92	1.53	8	Quarterfinal loss
2012-2013	SM-liiga	60	22	28	-	7	3	163	180	83	1.38	11	Did not make playoffs
2011-2012	SM-liiga	60	30	18	-	9	3	213	155	111	1.85	2	Final loss
2010-2011	SM-liiga	60	17	37	-	2	4	133	180	59	0.98	14	Saved in relegation
2009-2010	SM-liiga	58	18	27	-	6	7	166	197	73	1.26	12	Did not make playoffs
2008-2009	SM-liiga	58	22	27	-	5	4	149	145	80	1.38	9	Quarterfinal loss
2007-2008	SM-liiga	56	28	19	-	5	4	176	142	98	1.75	6	Quarterfinal loss
2006-2007	SM-liiga	56	19	24	-	7	6	147	151	77	1.38	10	Quarterfinal loss
2005-2006	SM-liiga	56	18	29	-	4	5	125	171	67	1.2	12	Did not make playoffs
2004-2005	SM-liiga	56	7	36	-	3	10	100	230	37	0.66	13	Did not make playoffs
2003-2004	SM-liiga	56	7	37	12	-	-	110	227	27	0.48	13	Did not make playoffs
2002-2003	SM-liiga	56	15	39	2	-	-	120	182	36	0.64	12	Did not make playoffs
2001-2002	SM-liiga	56	27	19	10	-	-	157	152	68	1.21	5	Quarterfinal loss
2000-2001	SM-liiga	56	22	23	11	-	-	170	164	55	0.98	7	Quarterfinal loss
1999-2000	SM-liiga	54	8	38	8	-	-	108	197	24	0.44	12	Saved in relegation
1998-1999	I-divisioona	48	30	11	7	-	-	178	109	67	1.4	2	Promoted
1997-1998	I-divisioona	44	23	17	4	-	-	155	147	50	1.14	4	Qualification loss

Pelicans Tournament Statistics

Pelicans — Tournament Statistics
season	tournament	GP	W	L	T	OTW	OTL	GF	GA	PTS	PPG	rank	postseason
Pelicans
2024-2025	Champions HL	6	3	2	-	1	0	24	18	11	1.83	9	Eighth Final Loss
2023-2024	Champions HL	6	3	2	-	1	0	23	15	11	1.83	8	Eighth Final Loss
2019-2020	Champions HL	6	2	4	-	1	2	16	20	7	1.17	4	Did not make playoffs
Lahden Reipas
1970-1971	Suomen Cup	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1965-1966	Suomen Cup	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-

Pelicans Retired Numbers

Where Are They Now?

Played in the team during season

Pelicans — Where Are They Now
#	player	season	team	league	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
1.	Tyler Kelleher (F)	2026-2027	Leksands IF	HockeyAllsvenskan	10	11	10	21	8
2.	Joshua Lawrence (F)	2026-2027	HK Olimpija Ljubljana	ICEHL	9	8	7	15	2
3.	Filip Chlapík (F)	2026-2027	HC Sparta Praha	Extraliga	10	3	12	15	15
4.	Tomi Purmola (F)	2026-2027	Shakers	II-divisioona	5	9	5	14	4
5.	Morten Poulsen (F)	2026-2027	Herning Blue Fox	Metal Ligaen	10	7	7	14	0
6.	Oliver Kiljunen (F)	2026-2027	Herning Blue Fox	Metal Ligaen	10	11	1	12	2
7.	Lars Bryggman (F)	2026-2027	TPS	Liiga	10	6	6	12	8
8.	Joonas Alanne (F)	2026-2027	Kaltern/Caldaro	IHL	5	2	9	11	2
9.	Otto Nieminen (F)	2026-2027	Unia Oswiecim	PHL	8	6	4	10	6
10.	Lucas Edmonds (F)	2026-2027	HK Dukla Michalovce	Extraliga	10	5	5	10	4

View Complete List

Average Height, Weight, Age Per Season

Pelicans — Roster Demographics
Season	Roster	Height	Weight	Age
2026-2027	View Roster	6'0"	190 lbs	26.64
2025-2026	View Roster	6'0"	190 lbs	25.94
2024-2025	View Roster	6'0"	187 lbs	26.11
2023-2024	View Roster	6'0"	187 lbs	27.08
2022-2023	View Roster	6'0"	183 lbs	24.50

View 20 Latest Seasons

Regular Season

Franchise All-Time Points

Pelicans — Franchise All-Time Points
#	Player	GP	G	A	TP
1.	Erkki Laine (F)	401	260	151	411
2.	Hannu Koskinen (F)	422	144	245	389
3.	Harri Toivanen (F)	378	204	146	350
4.	Erkki Mäkelä (F)	391	197	112	309
5.	Vili Sopanen (F)	429	123	172	295

Franchise All-Time Goals

Pelicans — Franchise All-Time Goals
#	Player	GP	G	A	TP
1.	Erkki Laine (F)	401	260	151	411
2.	Harri Toivanen (F)	378	204	146	350
3.	Erkki Mäkelä (F)	391	197	112	309
4.	Hannu Koskinen (F)	422	144	245	389
5.	Sami Wikström (F)	401	127	155	282

Franchise All-Time Assists

Pelicans — Franchise All-Time Assists
#	Player	GP	G	A	TP
1.	Hannu Koskinen (F)	422	144	245	389
2.	Jan Latvala (D)	725	72	215	287
3.	Marko Jantunen (F)	367	95	174	269
4.	Vili Sopanen (F)	429	123	172	295
5.	Sami Wikström (F)	401	127	155	282

Franchise All-Time Penalty Min.

Pelicans — Franchise All-Time Penalty Min.
#	Player	GP	G	TP	PIM
1.	Kari Sihvonen (F)	366	34	85	759
2.	Antti Tyrväinen (F)	443	80	172	700
3.	Sami Helenius (D)	177	4	12	495
4.	Taavi Vartiainen (F)	271	20	53	448
5.	Jari Parviainen (D)	346	33	86	389

Franchise All-Time Games Played

Pelicans — Franchise All-Time Games Played
#	Player	GP	G	A	TP
1.	Jan Latvala (D)	725	72	215	287
2.	Toni Koivunen (F)	477	45	149	194
3.	Antti Tyrväinen (F)	443	80	92	172
4.	Jussi-Antti Reimari (D)	433	43	79	122
5.	Marko Pöyhönen (D)	433	34	84	118

Franchise All-Time Points Per Game

Pelicans — Franchise All-Time Points Per Game
#	Player	GP	G	TP	PPG
1.	Craig Hamelin (F)	40	34	61	1.53
2.	Pertti Arvaja (F)	55	36	83	1.51
3.	Sean Avery (F)	2	3	3	1.50
4.	Mika Nieminen (F)	87	66	125	1.44
5.	Oldrich Valek (F)	86	77	122	1.42

Franchise All-Time Points Per Season

Pelicans — Franchise All-Time Points Per Season
#	Player	Season	League	GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM
1.	Matti Hagman (F)	1989-1990	I-divisioona	44	18	47	65	1.48	4
2.	Oldrich Valek (F)	1989-1990	I-divisioona	28	47	16	63	2.25	58
3.	Mika Nieminen (F)	1986-1987	I-divisioona	44	31	32	63	1.43	34
4.	Mika Nieminen (F)	1985-1986	I-divisioona	43	35	27	62	1.44	67
5.	Ryan Lasch (F)	2011-2012	SM-liiga	59	24	38	62	1.05	26

Franchise All-Time Goals Per Season

Pelicans — Franchise All-Time Goals Per Season
#	Player	Season	League	GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM
1.	Oldrich Valek (F)	1989-1990	I-divisioona	28	47	16	63	2.25	58
2.	Erkki Laine (F)	1982-1983	SM-liiga	36	41	15	56	1.56	27
3.	Erkki Laine (F)	1975-1976	I-divisioona	36	40	7	47	1.31	29
4.	Mika Nieminen (F)	1985-1986	I-divisioona	43	35	27	62	1.44	67
5.	Erkki Mäkelä (F)	1988-1989	I-divisioona	44	35	11	46	1.05	34

Franchise All-Time Assists Per Season

Pelicans — Franchise All-Time Assists Per Season
#	Player	Season	League	GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM
1.	Matti Hagman (F)	1989-1990	I-divisioona	44	18	47	65	1.48	4
2.	Ryan Lasch (F)	2023-2024	Liiga	55	9	45	54	0.98	14
3.	Matias Loppi (F)	2007-2008	SM-liiga	55	18	40	58	1.05	20
4.	Jari Multanen (F)	1994-1995	I-divisioona	39	16	39	55	1.41	54
5.	Justin Hodgman (F)	2011-2012	SM-liiga	59	14	39	53	0.90	123

Franchise All-Time Penalty Min. Per Season

Pelicans — Franchise All-Time Penalty Min. Per Season
#	Player	Season	League	GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM
1.	Antti Tyrväinen (F)	2010-2011	SM-liiga	52	14	9	23	0.44	186
2.	Sami Helenius (D)	2009-2010	SM-liiga	34	0	2	2	0.06	172
3.	Ben Blood (D)	2015-2016	Liiga	32	1	7	8	0.25	160
4.	Tuukka Mäkelä (D)	2007-2008	SM-liiga	53	1	3	4	0.08	158
5.	Kari Sihvonen (F)	2007-2008	SM-liiga	41	2	8	10	0.24	152

Player Nationalities Throughout History

Elite Prospects Notes and Trivia

Team names:

- Viipurin Reipas (1891 - 1964)
- Lahden Reipas (1964 - 1975)
- Kiekkoreipas (1975 - 1989)
- Hockey Reipas (1989 - 1992)
- Reipas Lahti (1992 - 1996)
- Pelicans (1996 -)

Club Reipas was originally found in year 1891 Vyborg which was part of Finland that time. First club was for gymnastics but later it had also teams in football, bandy and ice hockey. Vyborg's Reipas won the first ever Finnish Ice Hockey Championship title in 1928 After second world war the city of Vyborg was ceded to Soviet Union. Team Vyborg's Reipas relocated with finnish refugees to city of Lahti 1944. Even though the team was located in Lahti it was still called Vyborg's Reipas until it was renamed Lahti's Reipas 1964. After couple "Reipas" name changes the team was renamed to Lahti Pelicans before the 1996-97 season.