Mankato, Minn. ---  Nina Tikkinen, a junior forward for Minnesota State, has been named to Finland’s 2010 Winter Olympic Women’s Hockey Team.

Tikkinen, a Salo, Finland native, has one goal and five assists for six points in 15 games with the Mavericks this year.  In her three years with MSU, Tikkinen has totalled 15-20--35 in 71 games played.  Her previous international experience with the Finnish national team includes the 2007 World Championships (Winnipeg, Man.) and the 2006 Four Nations Tournament (Kitchener, Ont.).

Finland opens the tournament at the Vancouver Olympics with a game against Russia February 13.

Tikkinen joins defenseman Emilia Andersson (Sweden women’s hockey team) and forward David Backes (U.S. men’s hockey team) and as current or former MSU student-athletes who will participate in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.  Minnesota State has never had an athlete, current or former, compete in a Summer or Winter Olympic Games.

The 2010 Winter Olympic games are slated for Feb. 12-28 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

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