Erkki Laine started to play hockey in 1975 in Reipas Lahti and helped them to
rise from first division to SM-liiga in 1976. He was the best goalscorer of
Finnish first division in the year. In 1978, Laine joined Leksands IF in
Swedish Allsvenskan and in 1981 he was the best goalscorer of Allsvenskan. In
1982 he played two months in Reipas Lahti, before joining Färjestads BK, where
he played until 1988. In 1985 he was again the best goalscorer of Allsvenskan.
After leaving Färjestads BK, Laine played one season in Berlin Capitals and one
season in HC Davos and from 1990 to 1995 he played again in Reipas Lahti. On the
evening of August 22, 2009, Erkki Laine went from Kalkkinen, where he had his
summer cottage, to fishing with his boat and never returned. His boat was found
two days later at the bottom of lake by divers and his body was found one day
after his boat. The cause of death was drowning. Both his daughters Emma and
Essi are professional tennis players, Emma’s highest career singles ranking has
been World No. 50 on August 7, 2006.
Finland