Matias Rajaniemi

Last updated

Matias Rajaniemi
Born (2002-09-11) 11 September 2002 (age 22)
Lahti, Finland
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
AHL team
Former teams
Bridgeport Islanders
Lahti Pelicans
SaiPa
NHL draft 183rd overall, 2020
New York Islanders
Playing career 2020present

Matias Rajaniemi (born 11 September 2002) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Bridgeport Islanders of the American Hockey League (AHL). Rajaniemi was drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders with the 183rd overall pick. [1] [2]

Contents

Playing career

Rajaniemi played as a youth within the Lahti Pelicans organization before making his professional debut in the Liiga with the Pelicans during the 2019–20 season. He registered 2 assists through 12 games.

During his fourth season with the Pelicans, having featured in 6 games, Rajaniemi left the club to sign a two-year contract and immediately join SaiPa of the Liiga on 22 November 2022. [3]

At the conclusion of his contract with SaiPa, Rajaniemi joined the New York Islanders affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders, on an initial ATO for the remainder of the 2023–24 season while signing a one-year contract for the following season on March 26, 2024. [4]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2018–19 Lahti Pelicans Jr. A 342351680112
2019–20Lahti PelicansJr. A39215172410000
2019–20 Lahti Pelicans Liiga 120220
2019–20 Peliitat Mestis 20002
2020–21 Lahti PelicansLiiga463692031010
2021–22 Lahti PelicansLiiga5816724
2022–23 Lahti PelicansLiiga60226
2022–23 SaiPa Liiga250226
2023–24 SaiPaLiiga5308818
Liiga totals200426307431010
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
World Junior Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2022 Canada
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2021 Canada

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2021 Finland WJC Bronze medal icon.svg60000
2022 FinlandWJCSilver medal icon.svg60110
Junior totals120110

References

  1. "Matias Rajaniemi". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  2. "2020 NHL Draft: Complete results, list of picks for Rounds 1-7". NBC. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  3. "Defenseman Matias Rajaniemi joins SaiPa" (in Finnish). SaiPa. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  4. "Bridgeport Islanders sign three to AHL contracts". Bridgeport Islanders. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.