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Matti Keinonen |
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| Born on November 6, 1941 in Tampere, Finland. Keinonen played for five teams over 18 seasons in the Finnish National League. In those 267 games, he racked up 311 points, 186 of them goals and earned two gold - with Rauma Lukko in 1963 and RU-38 Pori in 1967, two silver and two bronze medals along the way. Four out of five of Keinonen's league all-star selections came as a member of Lukko, who later paid tribute to him, by retiring jersey # 7. Keinonen also suited up for the Finnish National Team in 196 games and scored 71 times, which included nine IIHF World Championship tournaments from 1962 to 1973, missing only one during that span and two Olympics - 1968 and 1972. Keinonen's last few seasons as a player were spent with HJK, Jokerit and TPS until retirement in 1978, and would later join the coaching ranks. In 1987, Keinonen was recognized for his career achievements when he was elected into the Finnish Ice Hockey Hall of Fame and was also further honoured when the Finnish National League renamed its annual award to the player for the Best "+/- " as the Keinonen Trophy. |
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