With 16 national championships, Ilves Tampere are the second-most successful hockey club in Finland behind local rivals Tappara Tampere. The club was founded in the spring of 1931 and played its first game against Tampereen Palloilijat the next winter. In the late 1930s, Ilves won their first three titles and the team continued to dominate through the 40s, 50s and 60s. Their most recent title came in 1985.

In Finnish, Ilves means "lynx", the animal depicted in the team's logo, which was designed by Rauno Broms in 1963. In 1965 Ilves moved into the new Hakametsä arena alongside local rivals Tappara and KooVee, where they played until recently. Now they play in the newly constructed Nokia Arena.

Internationally, Ilves' biggest success was reaching the final of the European Cup in 1966/67 where they faced ZKL Brno.

Ilves are qualified for 2022/23 and will make their debut in the CHL this season.

Due to the fact that their local rivals Tappara also qualified for 2022/23, this season will be the first featuring two teams from the same city.

Quick Facts

• Founded in 1931
• Have won 16 Finnish titles, most recently in 1985
• Reached European Cup final in 1966/67
• Making CHL debut this season