Ruben Rafkin (born 8 January 2002) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for HC TPS of the Finnish Liiga.

Ruben Rafkin
Born (2002-01-08) 8 January 2002 (age 22)
Turku, Finland
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Right
Liiga team HC TPS
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2020–present

Playing career

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Rafkin was drafted 14th overall by the Windsor Spitfires in the 2019 CHL Import Draft.[1] He recorded four goals and 27 assists in 59 games for the Spitfires.[2] On April 3, 2020, Rafkin signed a two-year contract with HC TPS of the Finnish Liiga.[3] He made his professional debut for TPS during the 2020–21 season.[4]

International play

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

Rafkin represented Finland at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he appeared in one game and won a bronze medal. [5] He will again represent Finland at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[6]

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 Tri-City Storm USHL 38 2 8 10 90
2019–20 Windsor Spitfires OHL 59 4 27 31 61
2020–21 TPS Liiga 48 4 12 16 36 13 0 3 3 6
2021–22 TPS Liiga 52 5 6 11 100 18 0 3 3 10
Liiga totals 100 9 18 27 136 31 0 6 6 16

International

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Year T1eam Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2018 Finland U17   6 1 1 2 10
2019 Finland HG18 4th 3 0 1 1 2
2021 Finland WJC   1 0 0 0 0
2022 Finland WJC   7 0 1 1 8
Junior totals 17 1 3 4 20

Personal life

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Rafkin is of Finnish and Russian-Jewish descent. His paternal great-grandfather had moved from Russia to Vyborg. He is the grandson of Dennis Rafkin, a Finnish businessman and the founder and the owner of Pizzeria Dennis restaurant chain.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Parker, Jim (27 June 2019). "Spitfires land a defenceman with a little moxie in physical Finn Rafkin". Windsor Star. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  2. ^ Parker, Jim (29 June 2020). "Spitfires retain rights to Rafkin ahead of selection in CHL Import Draft". Windsor Star. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  3. ^ Parker, Jim (3 April 2020). "Rafkin joins Piiroinen in leaving Spitfires to play at home in Finland". Windsor Star. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  4. ^ Fischer, John (25 May 2020). "Ruben Rafkin: 2020 NHL Draft Prospect Profile; Well-Traveled Defender". allaboutthejersey.com. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  5. ^ Merk, Martin (9 December 2020). "Players battle for World Juniors ticket". IIHF.com. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  6. ^ Kimelman, Adam (8 December 2021). "Sweden announces roster for 2022 World Junior Championship". NHL.com. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  7. ^ Ikäluokkansa kovimpiin kuuluva suomalaislupaus Ruben Rafkin matkalla Yhdysvaltain juniorisarjaan, jatkoaika.com, 12 July 2016
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