Kiekko-Espoo Naiset are an ice hockey team in the Naisten Liiga. They play in the Tapiola district of Espoo, Finland at the harjoitusareena ('training arena') 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 (gold, silver, or bronze) 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.
Dale Clarke is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing for Tappara in SM-liiga.
Marko J. Tuomainen is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League and SM-liiga. He played for KalPa, HIFK, Espoo Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, and New York Islanders.
Jani Virtanen is a Finnish former professional ice hockey defenceman.
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.
Alex Leavitt is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who last played for Braehead Clan in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).
Jani Hakanpää is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Hakanpää was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Jonathan Iilahti is a Finnish ice hockey goaltender and coach, currently serving as the goaltending coach of Vaasan Sport Naiset in the Naisten Liiga and as the Vaasan Sportin Juniorit director of coaching for the under-15 to under-19 age group.
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.
Nico Nyberg is a Finnish professional ice hockey player. He is currently an unrestricted free agent who most recently played 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.
Miro Karjalainen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player, currently playing for HIFK of the Liiga.
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).
Katariina "Kati" Ahonen is a Finnish retired ice hockey goaltender. A ten-season member of the Finnish national ice hockey team, she won bronze medals at the IIHF Women's World Championships in 1992 and 1994, and participated in five IIHF European Women Championships, winning gold at the tournaments in 1989, 1991, 1993, and 1995, and bronze at the 1996 tournament.
