Lukko Naiset

Lukko/PaRa is an ice hockey team in the Naisten Mestis. They are based in Rauma, a port city on the southwestern coast of Finland, and play at the Eurajoen jäähalli in Eurajoki. The team was formed in May 2024 via a cooperation agreement between Rauman Lukko ry, a minor club affiliated with the Lukko organization, and Panelian Raikas (PaRa).

History

Lukko Naiset

Rauman Lukko Naiset () was founded in 2011 as the representative women's ice hockey team of the ice hockey and ringette club Rauman Lukko ry – the minor and recreational affiliate of the professional men's ice hockey team Lukko. Lukko Naiset gained promotion to the Naisten Liiga (renamed in 2024) for the 2016–17 season and remained in the Liiga until being relegated at the conclusion of the 2020–21 season. They achieved promotion in the 2021–22 NSML qualification series and returned to the league after one season in the Naisten Mestis.

The team faced relegation four times in their first five seasons in the Naisten Liiga but were able to save themselves in the qualification series each time, until finally being relegated in the 2020–21 season.

After starting the 2021–22 season in the Naisten Mestis, Lukko earned placement in the ('Lower division') of the 2021–22 Naisten Liiga season. In the 2022 post-season qualification series, they successfully saved themselves from relegation and maintained their place in the Naisten Liiga in the following season.

Lukko Naiset withdrew from the Naisten Liiga and the team was dissolved in April 2023. Rauman Lukko ry, the team's operating association, cited difficulties in recruiting and retaining players as the principal reasons behind the decision. Lukko Naiset players were not consulted prior to the announcement. Captain Maija Koski was shocked by the announcement and strongly felt that the team could have been saved if avenues of communication had been opened between the association and Lukko Naiset players.

Lukko/PaRa

In May 2024, a Lukko announced a new strategy for girls' and women's ice hockey via partnership with Panelian Raikas (PaRa), an ice hockey club in nearby Panelia. The strategy included the re-establishment of Lukko Naiset as Lukko/PaRa. The team began playing in the 2024–25 Naisten Mestis season, with the goal of being promoted to the Auroraliiga within three seasons. PaRa's existing team in the Naisten Suomi-sarja was renamed PaRa/Lukko and continued in league for the 2024–25 season.

Season-by-season results

''This is a partial list of the most recent seasons completed by Lukko Naiset.
''

Players and personnel

Team captaincy history

* Annika Järvinen, 2014–2016
* Tiia Koskinen, 2016–2018
* Elviira Ylitalo, 2018–19
* Maija Koski, 2019–April 2023
* Ada Ukkola, 2024–

Head coaches

* Toni Tunturivuori, 2014–15
* Hannu Roos, 2016–2018
* Marko Toivonen, 2018–24 November 2020
* Sami Piilikangas, 24 November 2020–April 2023
* Jere Auvinen, 2024–

Notable alumni

Years active with Lukko listed alongside player names.
* Erika Kytömaa, 2013–2018
* Janica Laine, 2013–2018
* Maija Otamo, 2011–2014
* Eveliina Suonpää, 2016–2018
* Susanna Tapani, 2016–2018

International players

* Andrea Bevan, 2012–13
* Gudrun Vidarsdóttir, 2012–13
* Ana Kahlhammer, 2020–2022
* Cheyann Newman, 2013–14
* Shelley Payne, 2019–20
* Lyubov Tokar, 2020–21

References

External links

* (in Finnish)
*Team information and statistics fro
Eliteprospects.com
an

an

(in French)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lukko Naiset
Ice hockey clubs established in 2011
Lukko
Naisten Liiga (ice hockey) teams
Sport in Rauma, Finland
Sports clubs and teams in Satakunta
2011 establishments in Finland