Kiekko-Espoo Naiset are an ice hockey team in the Naisten Liiga (NSML). They play in the Tapiola district of Espoo, Finland at the harjoitusareena of the Tapiolan urheilupuisto. The team was founded as Espoon Kiekkoseura (EKS) in 1989 and has also been known as Espoo Blues Naiset and Espoo United Naiset during its tenure in the Naisten Liiga. Kiekko-Espoo have won the Aurora Borealis Cup as the Finnish Champions in women's ice hockey sixteen times, six more wins than any other team in league history; at least one Finnish Championship medal was won under each of the four names.
Kim Michael Hirschovits-Gerz is a Finnish former professional ice hockey forward and current sports manager of Kiekko-Espoo in the Mestis. During his playing career, he skated in the Finnish Liiga with HIFK, Jokerit, the Espoo Blues, and Oulun Kärpät; in the Swedish Elitserien with Timrå IK and Luleå HF; and in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and Dinamo Minsk. Hirschovits was drafted by the New York Rangers as their sixth-round pick, 194th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
Olli Malmivaara is a Finnish former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils.
Dale Clarke is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing for Tappara in SM-liiga.
Siim Liivik is an Estonian-Finnish professional ice hockey winger who is currently an unrestricted free agent.
Tiia-Riitta Johanna Reima is a Finnish retired ice hockey player and coach.
Arto Markus Laatikainen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing with HPK of the Finnish Liiga. Laatikainen was selected by the New York Rangers in the 7th round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
Roope Talaja is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He currently plays for Porin Ässät in the Finnish Liiga.
Kai Kantola is a Finnish-American professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for KalPa of the Finnish Liiga.
Nico Aaltonen is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player. He played in the SM-liiga with Lukko, Ässät, HPK and Espoo Blues.
Jani Hakanpää is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Hakanpää was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Niklas Tikkinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman, currently playing with the Glasgow Clan in the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). Tikkinen was previously with the Herlev Eagles in the Danish Metal Ligaen. Tikkinen was selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 5th round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Matti Järvinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey center. His is currently playing with HPK in the Liiga
Tobias Salmelainen is a Finnish former ice hockey player.
Aleksi Rutanen is a Finnish professional ice hockey Right wing. He is currently playing with Espoo Blues in the Finnish Liiga.
Joonas Valkonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing with Tingsryds AIF in the Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan.
Antti Ore is a Finnish retired ice hockey goaltender. He played with Espoo Blues in the Finnish SM-liiga.
Jere Seppala is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman. His is currently playing with Espoo Blues in the Finnish Liiga.
Naisten Liiga, also called the Naisten SM-liiga (NSML) and Jääkiekon naisten SM-liiga, is the elite league for women's ice hockey in Finland. Founded by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association as the Naisten SM-sarja in 1982, it was so known until being rebranded as the Naisten Liiga in 2017. The league comprises approximately 250 players across ten teams.
Essi Sieversnée Hallvar is a Finnish retired ice hockey defenceman. She played 91 international matches with the Finnish national team and won bronze at the 2011 IIHF Women's World Championship. Sievers competed at the elite club level for 15 seasons; she played 14 seasons in the Finnish Naisten SM-sarja and one season in the German Women's Ice Hockey Bundesliga (DFEL).
