Noora_Räty_Award
Noora Räty Award
Finnish ice hockey award
The Noora Räty Award (Finnish: Noora Räty -palkinto) is an ice hockey trophy awarded to the Rookie of the Year of the Naisten Liiga (previously the Naisten SM-sarja), as selected by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association. Rookie of the Year was first awarded in the 2005–06 Naisten SM-sarja season and the first recipient was Espoo Blues Naiset rookie goaltender Noora Räty. Since her rookie season, Räty has established herself as a top goaltender – considered by many to be one of the best women’s goaltenders in the world.[1] The Naisten SM-sarja Rookie of the Year award was named after Räty in the 2010–11 season.[2]
Seventeen players have received the award, five defencemen, eleven forwards, and one goaltender. The current title holder is Sanni Vanhanen of HIFK and the Finnish national team, who was recognized for her play in the 2022–23 Naisten Liiga season.