Saku Koivu
Saku Antero Koivu ( born November 23, 1974 in Turku ) is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who plays for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League since 2009.
- 2.1 International
- 3.1 International
Career
Saku Koivu was initially active for TPS Turku, for whom he made his debut in the Finnish SM- liiga during the 1992/93 season. In its premiere season, the striker won with the team once the Finnish championship, this success was repeated two years later. During this period, Koivu 1995 was voted player of the year, the SM- liiga, after he had completed an excellent 1994/95 season. The links shooter had finished both the main round and the playoffs as the most successful points scorer of the league and won both the trophy for the most successful scorer also the distinction of being the most valuable player in the main round, the playoffs and the total playing time presented. In the same year he led the Finnish national team to their first World Championship title at the World Championships.
In the summer of 1995, the Center transferred to North America and the Montreal Canadiens joined them, of which the Finn had been already selected in the NHL Entry Draft in 1993 in the first round at a total of 21 positions. Although he was not a top scorer, but he knew how to lead a team, which is why Koivu was appointed captain of the Habs in 1999. However, the Finn completed due to injuries in his first season with the " C" on the chest only 24 games.
During the 2001/ 02 season, was diagnosed with cancer him. The treatment was very positive, and already in the playoffs, he returned to the team. In the first round, the Canadiens, led by Saku Koivu defeated, the number one set of Boston Bruins. For his comeback, he was awarded in July 2002 with the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. In the same year Koivu Saku Koivu founded the Foundation, which deals with the fight against cancer. The following season he made 72 points on a personal record.
As the NHL season 2004/ 05 failed due to the lockout, Saku Koivu returned to his homeland to TPS for which he disputed the season. His father, Jukka Koivu was at this time coach of the team.
The NHL season 2005/ 06 took place again and Koivu reached the playoffs Montréal. But in the third game of the first round against the Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Justin Williams met with the top of his racket into the eye of Koivu. Koivu had bleeding from the ice and was immediately hospitalized. Williams called Koivu and apologized. Saku Koivu could no longer be used in the playoffs and underwent after the season surgery on his damaged retina. The following season he again took part in the game mode.
In 2007 he was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and community involvement. After the 2008/ 09 season of the long-time captain of the Canadiens contract ran out and Koivu chose as a free agent contract with the Anaheim Ducks sign.
Internationally
With the Finnish national team, he won at the Olympic Games in 1994, 1998 and 2010 and bronze at the World Cup of Hockey 2004 Silver, where he was elected to the All- Star team. Also at the 2006 Olympics he was on with his brother Mikko, Finland and won the silver medal.
When the International Olympic Committee, which took place during the Games in Turin elections, Koivu was among the 15 athletes who competed for two free seats in the Athletes' Commission. On 23 February 2006, he was selected along with the Canadian cross-country skier Beckie Scott and thus belongs to the IOC for eight years. He received 412 of a total of 2003 votes cast by the participating athletes.
Awards and achievements
Internationally
Career Stats
Internationally
Represented Finland at:
- U18 European Junior Championships 1992
- U20 World Junior Championships 1993
- World Cup 1993
- U20 Junior World Cup 1994
- 1994 Winter Olympics
- World Cup 1994
- 1995 World Cup
- World Cup of Hockey 1996
- World Cup 1997
- 1998 Winter Olympics
- 1999 World Cup
- 2003 World Cup
- World Cup of Hockey 2004
- 2006 Winter Olympics
- World Championship 2008
- 2010 Winter Olympics
( Key to Career statistics: Sp or GP = Games Played, T or G = goals scored, V or A = achieved assists; Pts or Pts = scored points scorer, SM or PIM = received penalty minutes, / - = Plus / Minus balance sheet; PP = scored majority gates; SH = scored shorthanded goals, GW = achieved victory gates; Play-downs/Relegation 1 )