Erik Rasmussen (ice hockey)

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Erik Rasmussen
Born (1977-03-28) March 28, 1977 (age 48)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
Played for Buffalo Sabres
Los Angeles Kings
New Jersey Devils
Ässät
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL draft 7th overall, 1996
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 19972009

Erik Wayne Rasmussen (born March 28, 1977) is a retired American professional ice hockey player.

Contents

Early life

Rasmussen, originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, gained statewide recognition in 1995 when he was awarded the prestigious Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award, an honor given annually to the most outstanding high school hockey player in the state. [1] His talent and dedication earned him a spot with the University of Minnesota, where he competed in NCAA Division I hockey for two seasons.

Career

Rasmussen was chosen seventh overall in the first round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, marking him as one of the top prospects of his class. [2] Throughout his professional career, Rasmussen suited up for the Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, and New Jersey Devils. During the 2007–08 season, he played for the Lowell Devils, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. Following that season, Rasmussen took his talents overseas by signing with Porin Ässät, a team in Finland’s top professional league, the SM-liiga, for the 2008–09 season.

During his time with the Porin Ässät organization, Rasmussen played in 31 regular-season games, tallying one goal and eight assists. The team finished 12th in the standings and was forced into the play-out round to determine which club would face relegation against a Mestis team, Finland's second-tier league. After losing the play-out, Ässät faced Vaasan Sport in a best-of-seven relegation series. Rasmussen played in 13 total playoff and relegation games, contributing four goals and five assists for nine points. In the decisive seventh game of the series, he scored Ässät's first goal and assisted on their third, helping secure the team’s spot in the SM-liiga. [3]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1992–93 St. Louis Park High School HS-MN 2316244050
1993–94St. Louis Park High SchoolHS-MN1825184380
1994–95St. Louis Park High SchoolHS-MN2319335280
1995–96 University of Minnesota WCHA 4016324855
1996–97 University of MinnesotaWCHA34151227123
1997–98 Rochester Americans AHL 53914238310005
1997–98 Buffalo Sabres NHL 2123514
1998–99 Rochester AmericansAHL3712142647
1998–99 Buffalo SabresNHL423710372124618
1999–2000 Buffalo SabresNHL6786144330004
2000–01 Buffalo SabresNHL821219315130110
2001–02 Buffalo SabresNHL698111934
2002–03 Los Angeles Kings NHL574121628
2003–04 New Jersey Devils NHL6976134150222
2005–06 New Jersey DevilsNHL6755103290008
2006–07 New Jersey DevilsNHL713710251100014
2007–08 Lowell Devils AHL2623514
2008–09 Ässät SM-l 3118960
NHL totals54552761283055227946

International

YearTeamEventGPGAPtsPIM
1996 United States WJC 601116
1997 United StatesWJC64594
2002 United States WC 70112
Junior totals12461020

Awards and honors

AwardYear
All-WCHA Rookie Team 1995–96

References

  1. Kolpack, Dave (March 14, 1995). "Cullen epitomized Mr. Hockey". The Forum. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  2. Maiorana, Sal (2012). 100 Things Sabres Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die. Triumph Books. ISBN   978-1-62368-015-2.
  3. "Kasitien herruus Poriin, Ässät-Sport 3-0". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). April 11, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
Sporting positions
Preceded by Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick
1996
Succeeded by