Kai Hietarinta

Kai Harri Hietarinta (; born 25 November 1932) is a Finnish businessman and ice hockey executive. His petroleum industry career as executive vice president of Neste involved him in Finland's international trade policy, and importing Soviet oil to reduce the trade surplus. Becoming the Finnish Ice Hockey Association president to resolve disputes, he used business connections to gain an advantage in international ice hockey. During his presidency, Finland increased its number of indoor ice rinks as hockey grew in popularity, and won its first international medals in men's, women's and junior hockey. He was also a Finnish Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation member, and was inducted into both the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame and the IIHF Hall of Fame.

Early life and education Kai Harri Hietarinta was born on 25 November 1932, in Helsinki, Finland. He graduated from the Hanken School of Economics in 1950, then attended Helsinki University of Technology where he earned a Master of Science in Administration degree in business and economics in 1958, and a Master of Science in Information Technology degree in 1959.

Business career Hietarinta began working in the petroleum industry at Neste in 1960, the state-owned oil refining and marketing company of Finland. His position involved him in both the energy policy of Finland and its international trade policy. He has sat on the board of directors of several additional companies,

When Finland became the Soviet Union's largest Western oil importer in 1983, Hietarinta explained by stating that "the Soviets are reliable suppliers", in light of the 1970s energy crisis. From 1980 to 1982, Soviet supply increased from 58 to 81 of Finnish oil imports. Hietarinta noted that importing oil was Finland's only means to reduce its trade surplus. He became president when the FIHA needed an outside person to resolve internal disputes. The men's national team won its first Winter Olympics medal with a silver medal in 1988, and its first World Championship in 1995. The men's national junior team won gold at the 1987 World Junior Championships, Finland increased its number of indoor ice rinks from 12 to more than 100, including Hartwall Arena constructed to host the 1997 Men's World Championships. was a board member for the Vierumäki Sports Institute from 1997 to 2001, and the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame from 2000 to 2008. and inducted into the builder category of the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame. receiving the honor at the medal presentation day of the 2025 IIHF World Championship on 25 May in Stockholm.