TPS retires Saku Koivu, 51, jersey number 11. Koivu’s jersey will be raised to the ceiling of the arena during the TPS – Lukko match on October 24.

– Saku’s journey from the locker room of TPS’s junior team in Impivaaran ice hall to the first European captain of the Montreal Canadiens is an incredible growth story that includes great national and international success. That journey deserves its climax where it all began. It is a great honor for Turun Palloseura to raise number 11 alongside other retired jersey numbers, commented HC TPS’s honorary committee chairman Kari Kauppila in the club’s statement.

During his career, Koivu played for TPS for three seasons in the early 90s and led the Turku team to two SM gold medals. In his best season 1994-95, Koivu recorded impressive stats of 27+47=74 in 45 games wearing the TPS jersey.

Previously, TPS has retired the jersey numbers of Timo Nummelin (#3), Juhani Wahlsten (#8), Jukka Vilander (#12), Reijo Leppänen (#15), Rauli Tammelin (#16), and Hannu Virta (#23).

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