Reijo Ruotsalainen

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


played_for = NHL
New York Rangers
Edmonton Oilers
New Jersey Devils
SM-liiga
Kärpät
Tappara
KalPa
Elitserien
HV71
Nationalliga A
SC Bern
Zürich SC Lions
position = Defence
shoots = Right
height_ft = 5
height_in = 8
weight_lb = 165
nickname = Rexi, Reksa
nationality = FIN
birth_date = birth date and age|1960|04|01
birth_place = Oulu, FIN
draft = 119th overall
draft_year = 1980
draft_team = New York Rangers
career_start = 1975
career_end = 1998

Reijo Ruotsalainen (born April 1, 1960 in Oulu, Finland) is a Finnish retired ice hockey defenceman. He was twice named Finland's top defenceman, and won two Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, in 1987 and 1990.

Playing career

Kärpät (1975-1981)

Reijo Ruotsalainen started his career in Kärpät. From his early days, "Reksa" was reckoned as a good and talented Defenceman while he was playing for Kärpät Junior teams.

Kärpät along with Ruotsalainen got promoted to SM-liiga from 1. Divisioona for 1977-78 season and Ruotsalainen played 30 games and posted 23 points in his first SM-liiga season.

In 1979-80 season, Ruotsalainen and Kärpät played in the SM-liiga Playoffs, but were knocked out of the Finals by HIFK. Kärpät however won the bronze medal series 2-0 against TPS and Ruotsalainen along with Kärpät got to enjoy their first medals in SM-liiga history.

1980-81 season proved to be the breakthrough for Ruotsalainen. Kärpät broke their way through to finals against Tappara. Before the fifth and decisive game, the series was tied 2 games to 2. After the first period, Tappara was leading 2-0 but Kärpät made a spectacular comeback and won the game 5-2.

After his first Championship in SM-liiga, Ruotsalainen headed to NHL.

New York Rangers (1981-1986)

Ruotsalainen was contracted by NHL team New York Rangers in 1981. During his debut season, Ruotsalainen scored 56 points in 78 games.

Ruotsalainen steadily made his way through to the first line of the Rangers and continued to have good seasons for the Rangers. His Head Coach Herb Brooks once said that Ruotsalainen is the best skater in NHL. Ruotsalainen's fluid skating helped him to compensate his shortage of size (Ruotsalainen was 1,73m tall).

Ruotsalainen had his NHL-career high in points during the 1984-85 NHL season when he scored 73 points in 80 games. Ruotsalainen played in the 1986 NHL All-Star game.

C Bern (1986)

Ruotsalainen's contract had expired after the conclusion of 1985-86 NHL season. Ruotsalainen was without a team before the start of 1986-87 NHL season. Ruotsalainen accepted an offer from SC Bern, a Swiss team which played in Swiss Nationalliga A.

Ruotsalainen played 35 games and scored 53 points for SC Bern before he returned to NHL.

Edmonton Oilers (1986-1987)

Ruotsalainen was contraced to Edmonton Oilers for reminder of 1986-87 NHL season. Ruotsalainen was given a spot in the top-lines of the Oilers. Edmonton had a great team which included Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri and Mark Messier.

The Oilers went on to win the Stanley Cup at the end of the season giving Ruotsalainen his first Stanley Cup ring.

HV71 (1987-1988)

Ruotsalainen's contract had expired after the successfull season with the Oilers. Ruotsalainen's new team was HV71 from Sweden. Ruotsalainen played a steady season with 32 points in 40 games.

C Bern (1988-1989)

After his single season in Sweden, Ruotsalainen was again contracted by SC Bern. Ruotsalainen played a single season for SC Bern, scoring 46 points in 36 games.

New Jersey Devils (1989-1990)

Ruotsalainen made his return to NHL after a two season absence. Ruotsalainen was contracted by New Jersey Devils for 1989-90 NHL season.

Edmonton Oilers (1990)

Ruotsalainen was traded to Edmonton Oilers after 31 games. In Edmonton, Ruotsalainen won his second Stanley Cup, when Oilers won the Cup for the first time without Wayne Gretzky.

C Bern (1990-1993)

Ruotsalainen decided to return back to Europe after his contract with Oilers had expired. Ruotsalainen returned to Switzerland and played for SC Bern, yet again.

Ruotsalainen's tenure in Bern lasted for three seasons. Ruotsalainen scored 38 points during his first season back in Bern.

Kärpät (1993)

Ruotsalainen decided to return to his "home team" when he was contracted by Kärpät which by time was relegated back to 1. Divisioona.

Ruotsalainen got to play 4 games for Kärpät, scoring 6 points.

Tappara (1993-1994)

Ruotsalainen was acquired by SM-liiga team Tappara for reminder of 1993-94 season. Ruotsalainen played six regular season games with Tappara and scored 6 points. Ruotsalainen played in the SM-liiga Playoffs with 3 points in 9 games. Tappara however did not have any success in the playoffs and they were eliminated by TPS in Semifinals.

C Bern (1994-1995)

After his returning season to Finland, Ruotsalainen accepted a contract offes from SC Bern for 1994-95 season. Ruotsalainen played 19 games for SC Bern and had 10 points.

KalPa (1995)

Ruotsalainen returned to Finland for 1995-96 season and played for KalPa. Ruotsalainen had 16 games for KalPa and scored 8 points on them.

ZSC Lions (1995-1996)

Ruotsalainen was contracted mid-season to Swiss team ZSC Lions, where he played 18 games with 15 points.

Kärpät (1996-1998)

After his season in Zürich, Ruotsalainen decided to end his career in Finland. Ruotsalainen played for Kärpät in the Finnish 1. Divisioona for two more seasons, scoring 31 points in 44 games during his Final season.

Ruotsalainen ended his career 1998.

Ruotsalainen's Jersey #10 is currently retired by Kärpät. [http://www.azhockey.com/index.html]

Lacking size, Ruotsalainen made his mark in NHL as a fluid skater. New York Rangers head coach Herb Brooks said he was the best skater in NHL. He played in the NHL all-star game in 1986.

International career

Ruotsalainen played for the Finnish junior national team from 1975 to 1980, winning bronze at the European Junior Championships in 1976 and silver at the World Junior Championships in 1980, where he was named best defenceman. He played for the Finnish national team at the IIHF World Championships in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1985, and 1989, the 1988 Winter Olympics (winning silver) and the 1981 and the 1987 Canada Cups. [http://www.azhockey.com/index.html]

Routsalainen became a coach after his playing career. He is a member of the Finnish Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.

Career Statistics

References

* [http://www.nhlfinns.com/players.aspx?pid=75 Reijo Ruotsalainen] on nhlfinns.com
* [http://www.azhockey.com/index.html A to Z of Ice Hockey]
* [http://icehockey.wikia.com/wiki/Reijo_Ruotsalainen Ice Hockey Wiki]