Finnish goaltender Noora Räty, arguably the greatest goaltender in women’s hockey history, and a multiple World Championship and Olympic medallist, today announced in a shocking social media post that, at only age 33, she would no longer play for the Naisleijonat.

In an Instagram post discussing her new book, Räty announced that in her mind, her tenure with the national team ended as of 17 January 2022, the day she was told she would not be joining the national team at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, indicating that she was passed over for starter Anni Keisala and backups Meeri Räisänen and Eveliina Mäkinen at the insistence of head coach Pasi Mustonen, despite other team coaches and staff pushing for her inclusion. This would have been her first national appearance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this conflict with Mustonen led to her leaving the team for good.

Räty leaves behind a dazzling international career with the Naisleijonat, backstopping Finland at nine Women’s World Championships and four Olympics, making her senior team debut in 2004 at only age 15. Räty captured a thrilling (and highly controversial) World Championship Silver medal in 2019, along with four Bronze medals (2008, 2009, 2011, 2017), and a pair of Olympic Bronze medals in 2010 and 2018. The MVP of the 2008 Women’s World Championship, Räty also made the tournament All-Star team four times, was an Olympic All-Star in 2018, and also holds a Silver (2013) and five Bronze (2010, 2015-18) medals from the Four Nations Cup.

However, this does not mark the end of Räty’s pro career, as she is still involved with the PWHPA, which she helped found in 2019 and serves on the league’s board. Räty is currently playing with HPK of the Finnish national league, and is expected to join the coaching staff for China at the upcoming Women’s World Division IA Championship, being hosted in Shenzhen, where she spent four seasons with the Vanke Rays and Red Star of the CWHL and Russian leagues.

Over the course of her career, Räty was part of all four of Finland’s IHLC wins in team history, winning first in 2008, twice in 2009, and last in September 2011. We wish Noora and her family the very best for her national team retirement and the things to come!

Photo Credit: The Hockey Writers – IIHF – HHOF – IOC