Teemu Selänne
Teemu Ilmari Selänne (born July 3, 1970 in Helsinki, Finland), is a professional ice hockey right winger. He is the NHL record holder for most goals scored in a rookie season with 76 and most points scored with 132. While he holds outright the record for goals scored in a rookie season, his rookie season point total of 132 is actually second to Wayne Gretzky's "first year" record of 137. As the NHL did not grant "rookie" status to players who came to the NHL after previously playing in the WHA, the "rookie" record is officially held by Selanne while the "first year" player record is credited to Gretzky.
He and his twin brother, Paavo, were born in Helsinki, Finland. A former kindergarten teacher, Teemu played for Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga from 1988 to 1992. He was selected by the Winnipeg Jets 10th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. He scored 76 goals in his rookie season, an all-time record. Following his rookie season, Winnipeg Jets prospects Keith Tkachuk and Alexei Zhamnov began to come into their own as star players and the young trio would begin to form a formidable line that at any time could score, play strong defense, or engage in physical play. As all three were Olympians, the line became known as "the Olympic line." With the help of Selanne and his new linemates, the Winnipeg Jets became a threat for Stanley Cup contention, however Selanne suffered a major leg injury in his second season. On February 7, 1995, he was traded to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Selänne teamed up with Paul Kariya to form one of the most potent scoring duos in the NHL. On March 5, 2001, Selänne was again traded, this time to the San Jose Sharks.
Known for his explosive speed, Selänne also has great hands and a remarkable ability to put the puck in the net. He's also a fan favourite as he has a bright, friendly personality.
After a disappointing season in San Jose, Selänne signed with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent on July 3, 2003 where he was again joined by Kariya. Their reunion was a disappointment as Selänne was not playing well enough to be seen alongside Kariya. Selänne lack of performance on the ice saw him moved to the 3rd and 4th line, and once in awhile even being a healthy scratch. After another mediocre season (2003-04) in Colorado, Teemu underwent knee surgery during the 2004-05 NHL lockout and signed up to play with Jokerit again. He was unable to play any games, however, because rehabbing his knee took longer than expected. Selänne rejoined the Mighty Ducks signing a one year contract on August 22, 2005.
Teemu is a co-owner of HC Salamat, a team playing in the Finnish Mestis league.
Selänne married Sirpa Vuorinen on July 19, 1996; they have 3 sons: Eemil, Eetu, and Leevi.
Career statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1988-89 | Jokerit | Fin. 1st div. | 35 | 36 | 33 | 69 | 14 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1989-90 | Jokerit | SM-liiga | 11 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1990-91 | Jokerit | SM-liiga | 42 | 33 | 25 | 58 | 12 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1991-92 | Jokerit | SM-liiga | 44 | 39 | 23 | 62 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 18 | ||
| 1992-93 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 84 | 76 | 56 | 132 | 45 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | ||
| 1993-94 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 51 | 25 | 29 | 54 | 22 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1994-95 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 45 | 22 | 26 | 48 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1994-95 | Jokerit | SM-liiga | 20 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 6 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1995-96 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 51 | 24 | 48 | 72 | 18 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1995-96 | Anaheim Mighty Ducks | NHL | 28 | 16 | 20 | 36 | 4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1996-97 | Anaheim Mighty Ducks | NHL | 78 | 51 | 58 | 109 | 34 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 4 | ||
| 1997-98 | Anaheim Mighty Ducks | NHL | 73 | 52 | 34 | 86 | 30 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1998-99 | Anaheim Mighty Ducks | NHL | 75 | 47 | 60 | 107 | 30 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 1999-00 | Anaheim Mighty Ducks | NHL | 79 | 33 | 52 | 85 | 12 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2000-01 | Anaheim Mighty Ducks | NHL | 61 | 26 | 33 | 59 | 36 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2000-01 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 12 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2001-02 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 82 | 29 | 25 | 54 | 40 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 2 | ||
| 2002-03 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 82 | 28 | 36 | 64 | 30 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2003-04 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 78 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 32 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2004-05 | Jokerit | SM-liiga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2005-06 | Anaheim Mighty Ducks | NHL | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| NHL Totals | 879 | 452 | 499 | 951 | 335 | 49 | 18 | 15 | 33 | 14 | ||||
International play
- Played for Team Finland at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan and at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, USA.
- Played for Team Finland in the 1999 and 2003 Ice Hockey World Championships.
- Played for Team Finland at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
International statistics
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Finland | WC | 11 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 2 |
| 2003 | Finland | WC | 7 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 2 |
| 2004 | Finland | WCH | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
See also
Note: Teemu Selanne served as captain during most of the 1997-98 season when Paul Kariya was injured and out of the line-up.