Ilkka Mesikammen, an Olympian and member of the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame, passed away Sunday at the age of 82. His passing was announced by his son, Roni, who wrote: “Yesterday brought sad news as my beloved father passed away peacefully after a long illness. Dad was a sensitive person who always stood up for the underdog. He was very fair and loyal to the people around him. The grief and longing will last for a long time, and we are now learning to live with it. Thank you for all the support and love, father.”
Mesikammen represented Finland at the 1964 Olympics as well as at four IIHF World Championships in the mid-1960s—1963, 1965, 1966, and 1967. Although he started as a forward in his youth, he quickly moved back to the blue line, where he played all of his career.
A defensive defender, he scored one goal with the national team in IIHF competition, that on March 12, 1966, in a 3-3 tie with East Germany. More significant, he played in two historic games for Suomi. On March 7, 1965, Finland tied Sweden, 2-2, at the Worlds in Tampere, only the second time the Finns had ever earned a point from their arch-rivals.
Then, on March 23, 1967, in Vienna, Mesikammen anchored the blue line in a 3-1 win over Czechoslovakia, the first time Suomi had ever defeated the Czechs in WM play.
In addition to his international career, Mesikammen played in the domestic Finnish league for more than two decades, mostly with TPS starting in 1959, with whom he won the league championship in 1976. He also played for Assat for three seasons and finished his career in the second division with Kiekko-67.
TPS also shared their condolences through social media: “The HC TPS community receives the sad news with deep sadness and respect. Former TPS defenseman, captain, TPS Hockey Hall of Fame member, and Hockey Lion number 62 Ilkka Mesikammen has passed away at the age of 82 after a long-term illness. Mesikammen represented Turku Palloseura for no less than 16 seasons and was part of the first Finnish Super League championship team when TPS won the championship in 1976. He was also awarded the TPS Golden Medal of Merit – the highest award of the Turku Palloseura Association. Our warmest condolences and strength to all those close to him. Rest in peace, Ilkka.”