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Matias Rajaniemi

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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

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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

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Regular season and playoffs

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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
Silver medal – second place 2022 Canada
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Canada

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2021 Finland WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 6 0 0 0 0
2022 Finland WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 0 1 1 0
Junior totals 12 0 1 1 0

References

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  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.
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