Nelli Laitinen

Photo by: Matt Krohn

Photo by: Brad Rempel

Photo by: Bjorn Franke

Class:
Junior
Position:
Defense
Shoot/Catch:
L
Height:
5-7
Hometown:
Lohja, Finland
High School:
Haukilahti HS
Previous Team:
Kiekko-Espoo

PRONUNCIATION

2024-25 • Junior Season:

Named a team captain for 2024-25 season
All-WCHA Preseason Team
WCHA Scholar Athlete and WCHA All-Academic
Recorded career-high 19 assists
Scored a goal against Boston University (Oct. 6)
Recorded two assists in series against Ohio State (Oct. 11-12)
Tallied two assists against St. Cloud State (Nov. 22)
Recorded two assists in series sweep of St. Thomas (Dec. 6-7)
Recorded 50th career point against St. Thomas (Dec. 6)
Scored a goal against Brown (Jan. 3)
Notched three assists in series sweep of St. Thomas (Jan. 10-11)
Recorded three assists in three-game WCHA Quarterfinal series against Minnesota State (Feb. 28-Mar. 2)

2023-24 • Sophomore Season:

WCHA All-Academic
WCHA Defender of the Week (Oct. 30)
Ranked seventh on the team in points (23) - tied for first among Gopher defenders
Scored one goal in 4-0 win at St. Thomas (Oct. 14)
Recorded three points (2g-1a) in 6-5 loss at No. 1 Ohio State (Oct. 28)
Tallied two points (1g-1a) in 3-1 win over Minnesota State (Nov. 3)
Recorded two points (1g-1a) in 9-1 win vs. Bemidji State (Dec. 2)
Notched two points (1g-1a) in 5-3 win over No. 3 Wisconsin (Dec. 8)
Assisted on two goals in 5-3 win over No. 11 UCONN (Jan. 5)
Recorded two assists in 2-1 win at Minnesota State (Jan. 27)
Blocked 9 shots in series sweep vs. St. Thomas (Feb. 2-3)
Notched two assists in 4-3 loss to No. 2 Wisconsin in WCHA Final Faceoff semifinals (March 8)

2022-23 • Freshman Season:

USCHO All-Rookie Team
All-WCHA Rookie Team
Named to HCA National Rookie of the Year Watch List
Ranked third among Gopher defenders in points (19)
Recorded two assists in opening-night win over Bemidji State (Oct. 7)
Tallied three points (1g-2a), including first-career goal, in 11-0 win at Minnesota State (Oct. 14)
Scored a goal in 4-2 win at No. 1 Ohio State (Oct. 28)
Recorded two assists in series sweep over No. 5 Minnesota Duluth (Nov. 4-5)
Tallied three points (1g-2a) in return to Minnesota lineup (Jan. 6)
Posted two assists in 5-0 win vs. St. Thomas (Jan. 14)
Missed eight games due to an upper-body injury
Made NCAA Frozen Four debut

High School/Club: A 2021 graduate of Haukilahti High School in Espoo, Finland • three-time NSML Champion with Kiekko-Espoo • won bronze with Finland at the 2022 Winter Olympics • won silver medal at 2019 IIHF Women's World Championships • won bronze at the 2021 IIHF Women's World Championships • named Best Defender at the 2020 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championships • won bronze at the 2019 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championships.

Personal: Daughter of Ari and Taru Laitinen • has one brother - Vili • majoring in business • enjoys playing golf and spending time with family and friends.