Marko Kiprusoff was a solid defenceman in his own end who could also move the puck up ice effectively. He was an experienced international player who excelled in the Finnish and Swedish leagues for several years.
The native of Turku, Finland suited up for the local TPS club for parts of five seasons. He also played briefly with the HPK Hameenlinna club and represented Finland at the 1992 World Junior Championships where the team finished fourth. Kiprusoff was particularly impressive at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics when he scored six points in eight games. He later helped his country win the silver medal at the 1994 World Championships.
After the Montreal Canadiens selected him 70th overall in the 1994 Entry Draft, Kiprusoff scored 31 points in 50 games for TPS Turku. At the end of the year helped anchor the Finnish blueline when the team captured its first ever World Championship in 1995.
The 1995-96 season was a bit of let down as Kiprusoff played only 24 games for Montreal the spent the bulk of his time with Fredericton of the AHL. He played with his country at the inaugural World Cup of hockey in 1996. In 1996-97 he sought a change of scenery by signing with the Malmo IF club in Sweden. Kiprusoff blended in well with his new club while continuing to represent Finland at the World Championships in 1997 and 1998. He scored two goals at the 1998 tourney and won a silver medal in his swan song.
