Finland’s Jenni Hiirikoski becomes first to play 100 games at IIHF Women’s Worlds
One of the most talented and well-respected players in women’s hockey has made history.
When the puck dropped on the final day of the group stage of the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Herning, Denmark on Wednesday, Finland defender Jenni Hiirikoski became the first player to appear in 100 games in the tournament’s history.
Hiirikoski also became just the 12th player, male or female, to play in 100 games in a world championship career. The next closest player behind her in games played at the WWC is United States Captain Hilary Knight, who will be making her 91st appearance when the Americans play Czechia later on Wednesday.
The Lempäälä native has been a mainstay on the Finnish national team since she debuted at the Women’s Worlds all the way back in 2004. Since then, she has become not only one of the best players to come out of Finland, but is also widely regarded as one of the top blueliners ever to lace up her skates. She has helped Finland reach incredible heights over the last two decades, and has been a leader for Finnish hockey ever since she was named team captain prior to the 2012 World Championship.
In her first 99 appearances across 17 tournaments, Hiirikoski has scored 15 goals, 45 assists for 60 points. She’s the all-time leading scorer by a defender at the WWC, and is tied for second all time in scoring by a Finn at the World Championships with Hockey Hall of Famer Riikka Sallinen. She’s just three points back of her teammate Michelle Karvinen. The Lulea HF star has also been named to the World Championship All-Star team four times, also being named the tournament’s best defender on seven occasions
Hiirikoski has won eight bronze medals at the Women’s Worlds, including a controversial silver medal at the 2019 tournament, where Hiirikoski would have been credited with the assist on the game-winning goal against the United States, had it not been called back for alleged goaltender interference.
Hiirikoski is also a decorated player at the Winter Olympics, representing her country at five Olympic Games, winning three bronze medals.