Emma Laaksonen

Short Biography

Emma Krisriina Terho (née Laaksonen) (born 17 December 1981 in Washington, D.C.) is a Finnish female ice hockey defenseman. She played on the women's ice hockey team for Finland at the 1998 Winter Olympics, winning a bronze medal. She was the youngest woman on the team (16 years, 54 days). Laaksonen played for the Ohio State women's ice hockey team from the 2000–01 to 2003–04 seasons. At Ohio State, Laaksonen was the first to earn All-America, was a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award and had her number 3 retired. Her number was retired by Ohio State on October 11, 2008. The ceremony occurred prior to the football game between Ohio State and Purdue at Ohio Stadium, where Laaksonen was recognized on the field at the 50-yard line. She was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame on 25 September 2009. Laaksonen is a three-time Olympian, serving as co-captain in 2002 and 2006, as well as competing in seven world championships, serving as captain in 2008 and 2009. Named Finland's Player of the Year in 2002 and 2006, Laaksonen was recognized by the Buckeye program during the first home series of the 2008–09 season when her No. 3 was the first women's hockey player number retired.