Huskies freshman Sanni Ahola
Women's Hockey "Meet the Newcomers": Sanni Ahola
9/28/2020 3:00:00 PM | Women's Hockey
St. Cloud State Women's Hockey welcomes eight newcomers to the roster in 2020-21. Our next "Meet the Newcomer" spotlight features freshman goaltender Sanni Ahola of Helsinki, Finland.
Ahola most recently played for Helsingin IFK. Last season, she played in 18 games for the Helsingin IFK in the Women's Naisten Liiga league holding a .914 save percentage. Ahola helped lead her team the previous year to be promoted to the highest division after she held a .962 save percentage in the Mestis league. She also played for Finland's U18 Junior National Team in the Girls' World Championships in 2017 and 2018 seasons. Most recently, Ahola played one game for the Finland U23 National Team.
Huskies Athletics: Why did you choose St. Cloud State University?
Sanni Ahola: All the people seemed so nice and welcoming here and I felt that this is the best place for me to take the next step in hockey and also study at the same time.
HA: When did you decide you wanted to play collegiate hockey?
SA: I didn't know much about collegiate hockey when I was younger, but I think I was maybe 14 or 15 years old when I first really thought about it. At that time Saara Niemi became my coach and she had played D1 hockey in Duluth so I got interested and decided that's what I want to do.
HA: You were a member of Finland's U-18 Junior National Team in 2017 and 2018. What were some of your favorite memories from those trips to the World Championships?
SA: My favorite memories were probably all the exhibition tournaments and games and being able to play with and against the best players of that age group. And the World Championships itself were unforgettable experiences.
HA: What did the opportunity to represent your country at the national level mean to you?
SA: It was always an honor to wear the National Team jersey and represent my country. It's something that you don't get to do so often and I think especially for goalies when there are just a few spots in the team and so many competitors for those spots. It gave me more motivation to keep doing what I do and get better every day as a player.
HA: With Helsingin IFK, you helped lead your team to the highest division. How has your experience in the Mestis League and Liiga League helped you develop as a player?
SA: In Mestis our team got used to winning and we lost only a couple games and I could say that it was an easy season for me. But in Liiga the level of the game was way better, so I had more challenge there and I had to get used to faster game, and it prepared me for collegiate hockey a bit more than the season in Mestis. I think I also grew mentally when we didn't win as much games in Liiga as we did in Mestis and we got to learn from the losses.
HA: What are some of your favorite places to visit in Finland?
SA: Our cabins in Pyhäjärvi and Joutsa are two of my favorite places where I like to visit in the summer. Also I love hiking so all the nature trails and national parks are awesome.
HA: Who is an important person in your life that has helped you reach the Division I level?
SA: My parents and siblings have helped me a lot. They have done those little things so I have been able to fully concentrate on hockey. They have kicked my butt when needed, helped me to be better every day and supported me on bad days. And I have to say Saara Niemi has also been a big help along my journey to D1 whether it was about off- or on-ice things.
HA: What career field are you interested in?
SA: I'm interested in medicine and I would like to work as an O.R. nurse in the future.
Quick Checks
Favorite hockey team: Helsingin IFK, Nashville Predators
Favorite pie: Berry pie
Dream job: Surgeon
Personal theme song: The Fear by The Score
Ahola most recently played for Helsingin IFK. Last season, she played in 18 games for the Helsingin IFK in the Women's Naisten Liiga league holding a .914 save percentage. Ahola helped lead her team the previous year to be promoted to the highest division after she held a .962 save percentage in the Mestis league. She also played for Finland's U18 Junior National Team in the Girls' World Championships in 2017 and 2018 seasons. Most recently, Ahola played one game for the Finland U23 National Team.
Huskies Athletics: Why did you choose St. Cloud State University?
Sanni Ahola: All the people seemed so nice and welcoming here and I felt that this is the best place for me to take the next step in hockey and also study at the same time.
HA: When did you decide you wanted to play collegiate hockey?
SA: I didn't know much about collegiate hockey when I was younger, but I think I was maybe 14 or 15 years old when I first really thought about it. At that time Saara Niemi became my coach and she had played D1 hockey in Duluth so I got interested and decided that's what I want to do.
HA: You were a member of Finland's U-18 Junior National Team in 2017 and 2018. What were some of your favorite memories from those trips to the World Championships?
SA: My favorite memories were probably all the exhibition tournaments and games and being able to play with and against the best players of that age group. And the World Championships itself were unforgettable experiences.
HA: What did the opportunity to represent your country at the national level mean to you?
SA: It was always an honor to wear the National Team jersey and represent my country. It's something that you don't get to do so often and I think especially for goalies when there are just a few spots in the team and so many competitors for those spots. It gave me more motivation to keep doing what I do and get better every day as a player.
HA: With Helsingin IFK, you helped lead your team to the highest division. How has your experience in the Mestis League and Liiga League helped you develop as a player?
SA: In Mestis our team got used to winning and we lost only a couple games and I could say that it was an easy season for me. But in Liiga the level of the game was way better, so I had more challenge there and I had to get used to faster game, and it prepared me for collegiate hockey a bit more than the season in Mestis. I think I also grew mentally when we didn't win as much games in Liiga as we did in Mestis and we got to learn from the losses.
HA: What are some of your favorite places to visit in Finland?
SA: Our cabins in Pyhäjärvi and Joutsa are two of my favorite places where I like to visit in the summer. Also I love hiking so all the nature trails and national parks are awesome.
HA: Who is an important person in your life that has helped you reach the Division I level?
SA: My parents and siblings have helped me a lot. They have done those little things so I have been able to fully concentrate on hockey. They have kicked my butt when needed, helped me to be better every day and supported me on bad days. And I have to say Saara Niemi has also been a big help along my journey to D1 whether it was about off- or on-ice things.
HA: What career field are you interested in?
SA: I'm interested in medicine and I would like to work as an O.R. nurse in the future.
Quick Checks
Favorite hockey team: Helsingin IFK, Nashville Predators
Favorite pie: Berry pie
Dream job: Surgeon
Personal theme song: The Fear by The Score
Players Mentioned
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