The first ever Finnish ice hockey championships featured six teams from three cities.

The championship team from 1998 is widely recognized as one of the best ever to have skated together in the top flight of Finnish ice hockey.

Therefore, the concentrated development of top-level Finnish ice hockey by the motivated and financially capable clubs proved arduous.

Jere Lehtinen (born 1973), Finnish professional ice hockey forward.

Teemu Riihijärvi (born March 1, 1977) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey forward.

Jukka Vilander (born November 27, 1962) is a former professional Finnish ice hockey forward.

Marko Jantunen (born February 14, 1971) is a Finnish ice hockey forward.

At the time of his SM-liiga debut, he was the first third generation player in the top level of Finnish ice hockey.

Esa Tikkanen (born January 25, 1965) is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey forward.

Marko Ahosilta (born January 24, 1980) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey left wing.