Ruben Rafkin

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

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

Playing career

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]

During the 2024–25 season, Rafkin transferred from the Liiga following 33 appearances with Tappara to the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in joining Örebro HK on 6 February 2025.[5] He played out the season, notching 2 assists through 12 games.

On 21 May 2025, Rafkin returned to his original club, HC TPS of the Liiga, agreeing to a one-year contract for the 2025–26 season.[6]

International play

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Finland
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2022 Canada
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Canada

Rafkin represented Finland at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he appeared in one game and won a bronze medal. [7] He will again represent Finland at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[8]

Personal life

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.[9]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

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
2022–23 TPS Liiga 39 0 11 11 22 — — — — —
2023–24 TPS Liiga 57 4 21 25 79 9 0 1 1 2
2024–25 Tappara Liiga 33 1 6 7 28 — — — — —
2024–25 Örebro HK SHL 12 0 2 2 10 2 0 0 0 4
Liiga totals 229 14 56 70 265 40 0 7 7 18

International

Year T1eam Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2018 Finland U17 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 1 1 2 10
2019 Finland HG18 4th 3 0 1 1 2
2021 Finland WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 1 0 0 0 0
2022 Finland WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 0 1 1 8
Junior totals 17 1 3 4 20

References

  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. ^ "Finnish defender joins OHK" (in Swedish). Örebro HK. 6 February 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  6. ^ "Ruben Rafkin returns to TPS" (in Finnish). HC TPS. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  7. ^ Merk, Martin (9 December 2020). "Players battle for World Juniors ticket". IIHF.com. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  8. ^ Kimelman, Adam (8 December 2021). "Sweden announces roster for 2022 World Junior Championship". NHL.com. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  9. ^ Ikäluokkansa kovimpiin kuuluva suomalaislupaus Ruben Rafkin matkalla Yhdysvaltain juniorisarjaan, jatkoaika.com, 12 July 2016
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