They are the representative women's ice hockey team of the multi-sport club Hämeenlinnan Pallokerho (HPK), however, the team is directly owned by HPK Liiga Oy, the ownership organization of the Liiga team HPK. HPK Kiekkonaiset are one of two Auroraliiga teams owned directly by a men's league team.[1]
History
A women's ice hockey team has competed under the parent club HPK since at least 1999. From 1999 to 2008, HPK Kiekkonaiset competed in the Naisten I-divisioona (renamed Naisten Mestis in 2013). In 2001, the team qualified to contend for promotion to the Naisten SM-sarja (NSMs; called Naisten Liiga during 2017–2024 and rebranded as Auroraliiga in 2024) in the league's karsintasarja (qualification series) but they lost eleven of fourteen qualification games and remained in the I-divisoona.[2] The opportunity for promotion through the karsintasarja returned in the 2007–08 season and, this time, with a roster that included Meeri Räisänen, Essi Salminen, Hanne Sikiö, and Eveliina Similä, HPK achieved promotion to the Naisten SM-sarja.[3]
HPK debuted in the Naisten SM-sarja at the opening of the 2008–09 season, strengthened by the addition of a number of experienced players, notably Petra Herzigová, Katja Riipi, Nora Tallus, and Vilma Vaattovaara. The team won the bronze medal match against Oulun Kärpät with a game winning goal from Riipi.[4]
HPK was the first team to be awarded the Aurora Borealis Cup the Naisten SM-sarja Champions in 2011.[5]
As the 2011 Finnish Champions, the team was automatically granted placement in the second round, Group E of the following season's IIHF European Women's Champions Cup (EWCC). The Group E round-robin was contested in Hämeenlinna during 2 to 4 December 2011 and HPK bested ESC Planegg, Aisulu Almaty, and the EHV Sabres to sweep the series and earn a berth in the tournament finals.[6]Venla Hovi and Riikka Noronen led all Group E skaters in scoring, with 9 points and 7 points in four games, respectively.[7] The EWCC Finals were also hosted in Hämeenlinna and were played during 24 to 26 February 2012 at Metritiski Areena. HPK won their first match, beating ESC Planegg with a score of 3–2, but they were unable to overcome the scoring power and excellent goaltending of their final two opponents, losing 2–6 to Tornado Moscow Region and 1–5 to the ZSC Lions Frauen.[8] They were awarded European Women's Champions Cup bronze medals, becoming the third Finnish team to medal in the EWCC.
In June 2021, it was announced that the team would be transferred to HPK Liiga Oy, owner of the HPK Liiga team and the U20 SM-sarja team HPK U20.[9] HPK Kiekkonaiset had previously been a part of the HPK-affiliated junior ice hockey club HPK Edustusjääkiekko Ry, a non-profit registered association. At the time of the transfer, Antti Toivanen, CEO of HPK Liiga Oy and general manager of the HPK men's team, explained that the move was motivated by an interest in capitalizing on the growing women's ice hockey market, which had been highlighted by the record crowds that attended the 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship in Espoo. Jorma Hassinen, general manager of HPK Kiekkonaiset, expressed hope that the transfer would allow female players to develop with the same opportunities as their male counterparts.[10]
Season-by-season results
This is a partial list of the most recent seasons completed by HPK Naiset.
Note: Finish = Rank at end of regular season; GP = Games played, W = Wins (3 points), OTW = Overtime wins (2 points), OTL = Overtime losses (1 point), L = Losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, Pts = Points, Top scorer: Points (Goals+Assists)
Since 2011, the victorious team of the Auroraliiga playoffs has received the Aurora Borealis Cup. Prior to 2011, the title-winners of the league were awarded the Sammon -malja. The players of the victorious team also receive gold medals as Finnish Champions in women's ice hockey.[17]
