Toni Rajala
| Toni Rajala | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | March 28, 1991 Parkano, FIN |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 163 lb (74 kg; 11 st 9 lb) |
| Position | Right wing |
| Shoots | Left |
| NHL team (P) Cur. team |
Edmonton Oilers Ilves (SM-l) |
| National team |  Finland |
| NHL Draft | 101st overall, 2009 Edmonton Oilers |
| Playing career | 2008–present |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Competitor for Finland |
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| Ice hockey | ||
| IIHF World U18 Championships | ||
| Bronze | 2009 United States | |
Toni Rajala (born March 29, 1991) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for Ilves of the SM-liiga. He was drafted 101st overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, and on July 16, 2009, the Oilers signed Rajala to an entry-level contract.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Playing career
Rajala began playing junior hockey with the Ilves Tampere system in 2005–06. By 2007–08, he had worked his way up to the Junior A level of the SM-Liiga, tallying 35 points in 33 games. Rajala turned pro with Ilves Tampere in 2008–09, tallying 5 points in 21 games during his professional rookie season in the SM-Liiga.
On July 16, 2009, Rajala signed a two-way contract with the Edmonton Oilers.[2]
Rajala was selected in the first round of the 2009 CHL Import Draft (14th overall) by the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL).[3] He joined the Wheat Kings for the 2009-10 WHL season.
[edit] International play
Rajala debuted internationally for Finland at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships, recording 5 points in 6 games as Finland placed sixth. The next year, he was named to Finland's under-20 team for the 2009 World Junior Championships in Ottawa, Canada, and managed 3 points in 6 games; Finland finished in seventh place. Later that year, in April 2009, Rajala competed for Finland at the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships in the United States.[4] He led the tournament in scoring with 10 goals and 9 assists and broke the previous point record held by Alexander Ovechkin. Rajala was selected as the best forward in the tournament,[5] and was named to the tournament All-Star Team,[6] helping Finland to a bronze medal. Rajala also represented Finland at the 2010 World Junior Championships which were held in Saskatchewan, Canada.
[edit] Awards
- Won an IIHF U18 bronze medal with Finland in 2009
- Named IIHF U18 Best Forward in 2009
- Named to the IIHF U18 All-Star Team in 2009[7]
- George Parsons Trophy for most sportsmanlike play at the Memorial Cup (2010)[8]
[edit] References
- ^ http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.cgi?7279&showAllMoves=1
- ^ Oilers ink trio: Dubnyk, Arsene, and 2009 draft pick Rajala sign deals with club
- ^ "Brandon Wheat Kings CHL Import Draft". Brandon Wheat Kings. http://www.wheatkings.com/page.aspx?page_id=56. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
- ^ Rajala starred at World Under-18 tourney
- ^ "Best Players Selected By The Directorate" (PDF). International Ice Hockey Federation. http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/199/IHM199000_85I_1_0.pdf. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
- ^ "Media All-Stars" (PDF). International Ice Hockey Federation. http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/199/IHM199000_98_1_0.pdf. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
- ^ http://www.eliteprospects.com/awards.php?award=U18%20WJC%20All-Star%20Team
- ^ IIHF (2010). IIHF Media Guide & Record Book 2011. Moydart Press. p. 326. ISBN 978-0-9867964-0-1.
