Matias Rajaniemi

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	2020–present

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]}

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	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2018–19	Lahti Pelicans	Jr. A		34	2	3	5	16		8	0	1	1	2
2019–20	Lahti Pelicans	Jr. A		39	2	15	17	24		1	0	0	0	0
2019–20	Lahti Pelicans	Liiga		12	0	2	2	0		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Peliitat	Mestis		2	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Lahti Pelicans	Liiga		46	3	6	9	20		3	1	0	1	0
2021–22	Lahti Pelicans	Liiga		58	1	6	7	24		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Lahti Pelicans	Liiga		6	0	2	2	6		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	SaiPa	Liiga		25	0	2	2	6		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	SaiPa	Liiga		53	0	8	8	18		—	—	—	—	—
Liiga totals				200	4	26	30	74		3	1	0	1	0

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing   Finland
World Junior Championships
	2022 Canada
	2021 Canada

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2021	Finland	WJC			6	0	0	0	0
2022	Finland	WJC			6	0	1	1	0
Junior totals					12	0	1	1	0

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.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Eurohockey.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database