Finnish ice hockey player and coach who won the Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers in 1984 and later coached in the Finnish Liiga. Known for his playing career and coaching achievements in Finland.
Raimo Summanen is renowned for his phenomenal hockey career, both on and off the ice. As a former professional ice hockey forward, he has left an indelible mark on the sport, earning himself a 1984 Stanley Cup ring with the Edmonton Oilers.
Summanen was born on March 2, 1962, in Jyvskylä, Finland. He began his hockey journey playing for the Finnish Elite League, eventually getting drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the sixth round of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, 125th overall.
Summanen played a significant role in the Oilers' victory, appearing in 2 regular season games and 5 playoff games in the 1984 Stanley Cup Finals. Although his name was excluded from the Cup due to not meeting the official eligibility criteria, he remains an integral part of the Oilers' first Stanley Cup-winning team.
Summanen has also made a name for himself in international competitions. He represented Finland in the 1995 Ice Hockey World Championships, helping the team secure their first-ever gold medal. This remarkable achievement marked the pinnacle of his playing career, after which he retired from the sport.
Summanen transitioned into coaching, taking the reins as the head coach of the Finnish National Team. Under his guidance, the team finished second in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. He then went on to coach Avangard Omsk, a leading KHL side, from 2010 to 2011, leading the team to an impressive 18-game winning streak and a top finish in the regular season.
Throughout his coaching career, Summanen has been known for his intense and demanding coaching style, which has had both positive and negative effects on his teams. Despite controversies surrounding his tenure, he remains a highly respected figure in the hockey world, credited with developing top-notch talent and achieving remarkable success on the international stage.
Summanen's coaching approach is built on a foundation of discipline, hard work, and accountability. He is known to push his players to their limits, often employing unconventional methods to get the best out of them. While his style may be divisive, it has undoubtedly produced results, making him a respected figure in the hockey community.
Summanen's most significant personal achievement came in 1995 when he won the Ice Hockey World Championships gold medal with Finland. This triumph capped off an illustrious playing career, cementing his place as one of Finland's most celebrated hockey players.
Summanen has faced criticism for his abrasive coaching style, which has led to reported conflicts with players and management. His tumultuous tenure with Avangard Omsk ultimately ended in his dismissal, citing health issues as the official reason.
Despite these controversies, Summanen remains a complex figure in the hockey world, revered for his dedication to the sport and his unrelenting passion for success.
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Finnish professional ice hockey forward who played 17 seasons in the NHL, scoring over 750 points, and represented Finland in several international tournaments.
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Finnish professional ice hockey forward who played in the NHL and internationally, winning several championships and awards, including Olympic bronze and World Championship gold.
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