Teemu Selänne, nicknamed “The Finnish Flash,” is a Finnish former professional ice hockey winger. He played 21 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Colorado Avalanche.
Selänne is the highest-scoring Finnish-born player in NHL history and holds numerous records, including the most goals and points by a rookie in a single season.
You can follow Teemu Selanne’s biography, personal details, career overview, spouse, net worth, salary, endorsements, stats, awards and achievements, and more here.
Teemu Selanne’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Teemu Ilmari Selänne |
| Nickname | The Finnish Flash |
| Birth Date | July 3, 1970 |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 196 lb (89 kg) |
| Birthplace | Helsinki, Finland |
| Nationality | Finnish |
| Turned Professional | 1989 |
| Current Net Worth | $40 million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Spouse | Sirpa Selänne |
| Instagram Profile | @sel8nneteemu |
Teemu Ilmari Selänne was born on July 3, 1970, in Helsinki, Finland. He grew up with his twin brother, Paavo, and another brother, Panu. His parents, Liisa Viitanen and Ilmari Selänne, divorced in the late 1980s.
The family lived in Rauma for a time before settling in Espoo when Teemu was around 10 years old. As a youth, Selänne played 3 sports: hockey, bandy, and association football. He eventually focused on hockey, joining the junior squad of Jokerit in Helsinki.
Spouse
Sirpa Selänne has been married to Teemu since 1995. They met in Finland, where Sirpa worked as a model. The couple has two children together, Eetu and Veera.
Sirpa has been a constant source of support throughout Teemu’s career, attending countless hockey games and standing by him through thick and thin.
Professional Career
Teemu Selänne began his professional career in Finland with Jokerit in 1989, playing there until 1992.
Selänne was drafted 10th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 1988 but didn’t join the NHL until 1992. His rookie season with the Jets was historic, as he set NHL rookie records with 76 goals and 132 points, earning him the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Selänne played with the Jets until 1996 when he was traded to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. During his time with the Ducks, Selänne won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy in 1999 as the league’s top goal scorer.
His career also included stints with the San Jose Sharks (2001-2003) and the Colorado Avalanche (2003-2004). After the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Selänne returned to Anaheim.
The pinnacle of his club career came in the 2006-07 season when he helped the Ducks win their first Stanley Cup. He retired in 2014 as the highest-scoring Finnish-born player in NHL history, ranking 11th all-time in goals and 15th in points.
International Career
Teemu Selänne made his debut for the Finnish national team at the 1989 World Junior Championships and went on to become one of the most decorated players in Finnish hockey history.
Selänne participated in six Olympic Games (1992, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014), a record for men’s ice hockey players. He led Finland to three bronze medals (1998, 2010, 2014) and one silver medal (2006) in the Olympics.
His performance in the 2014 Sochi Olympics was particularly noteworthy, as he was named the tournament MVP, leading Finland to a bronze medal in his final international appearance.
Selänne also competed in five World Championships, winning a silver medal in 1999 and a bronze in 2008. He represented Finland in three Canada Cup/World Cup of Hockey tournaments, securing a silver medal in 2004.
Teemu Selanne’s Net Worth Details
Teemu Selanne’s net worth is estimated to be $40 million as of 2025. Selanne’s total career earnings in the NHL amounted to $73,602,018.
Salary
| Season | Annual Salary (USD) |
| 1992-93 | $1,571,300 |
| 1993-94 | $310,000 |
| 1994-95 | $2,000,000 |
| 1995-96 | $2,750,000 |
| 1996-97 | $2,850,000 |
| 1997-98 | $3,400,000 |
| 1998-99 | $4,750,000 |
| 1999-00 | $5,450,000 |
| 2000-01 | $8,000,000 |
| 2001-02 | $9,500,000 |
| 2002-03 | $6,500,000 |
| 2003-04 | $5,800,000 |
| 2005-06 | $1,000,000 |
| 2006-07 | $3,750,000 |
| 2008-09 | $3,250,000 |
| 2009-10 | $2,000,000 |
| 2010-11 | $3,250,000 |
| 2011-12 | $4,000,000 |
| 2012-13 | $2,634,146 |
| 2013-14 | $2,000,000 |
Endorsements
Selänne has been associated with various brands throughout his career. Recently, he endorsed DEFA Power, a charging station for electric vehicles.
Career Stats
| Category | Regular Season | Playoffs |
| Games Played | 1,451 | 130 |
| Goals | 684 | 44 |
| Assists | 773 | 44 |
| Points | 1,457 | 88 |
Awards and Achievements
- Calder Memorial Trophy (1993)
- Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (1999)
- Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (2006)
- 10-time NHL All-Star
- Stanley Cup champion (2007)
- Olympic silver medal (2006)
- 3 Olympic bronze medals (1998, 2010, 2014)
- Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (2017)
FAQs
1. What is Teemu Selanne’s nationality and primary position in ice hockey?
Selanne is a Finnish ice hockey player who played as a right winger and is regarded as one of the greatest Finnish athletes and NHL forwards in history.
2. With which NHL teams did Selanne spend most of her career?
She played for the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Colorado Avalanche, achieving her highest success and longest tenure with the Anaheim Ducks.
3. What record did Selanne set during her rookie season?
She scored 76 goals in her rookie year with Winnipeg, setting the NHL record for most goals by a rookie in a season—an achievement unmatched to this day.
4. What are the career achievements and awards for Selanne in the NHL?
Selanne won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, NHL goal-scoring titles, and was a first-ballot Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, amassing over 1,400 NHL points.
5. Did Selanne win a Stanley Cup during her NHL career?
He captured the Stanley Cup in 2007 with the Anaheim Ducks, contributing leadership and key goals during their successful playoff run.
6. How has Selanne contributed to international ice hockey for Finland?
She represented Finland in multiple Olympics and World Championships, winning medals and becoming the nation’s all-time leading scorer in international competition.
7. What was Selanne’s playing style and distinguishing strengths on the ice?
Selanne was renowned for her exceptional speed, accurate finishing, and skillful skating, regularly electrifying fans with breakaway goals and creative offensive plays.
8. What is Selanne’s reputation among teammates, coaches, and hockey analysts?
Teammates and coaches praise her for sportsmanship, humility, and leadership, while analysts consider Selanne one of the most prolific right wings in NHL history.
9. What challenges or injuries did Selanne overcome during her NHL journey?
She battled through major knee injuries and missed entire seasons but came back to maintain high production, extending her career successfully into her 40s.
10. What impact or legacy did Selanne leave after retiring from professional hockey?
Selanne remains a beloved sports icon in Finland and for Ducks fans, dedicated to charitable work, youth hockey, and promoting the values of the game globally.
