Mika NIEMINEN

Mika Nieminen started to play hockey with Lahden Reipas in 1985. In 1987 he moved to Tampereen Ilves, playing there until 1991. Then after one season with Rauman Lukko, Nieminen spent three seasons in Sweden with Luleå HF. From 1995-97, he played two seasons with Grasshopper Club Zürich in Switzerland before returning to Finland. From 1997-98 he played with Helsingin Jokerit and then from 1998-01 with HIFK. Nieminen finished his playing career in 2001-02 with Ilves. Internationally, Nieminen won Olympic bronzes in 1994 and 1998, was World Champion in 1995 and won World Championship silvers in 1992 and 1994. After finishing his sporting career, Nieminen worked as a children’s coach in Finland. He also wrote a hockey column in the Finnish daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat and was a hockey analyst with Finnish National Television.