Reijo Ruotsalainen
Encyclopedia
Reijo Ruotsalainen is a Finnish retired ice hockey
defenceman. He was twice named Finland's top defenceman, and won two Stanley Cup
s with the Edmonton Oilers
, in 1987 and 1990.
. From his early days, "Reksa" was recognized as a talented defenseman while playing for Kärpät Junior teams.
Kärpät, along with Ruotsalainen, got promoted to SM-liiga
from 1. Divisioona
for the 1977–78 season, and Ruotsalainen played 30 games and posted 23 points in his first SM-liiga season.
During the 1979–80 season, Ruotsalainen and Kärpät played in the SM-liiga Playoffs, but were eliminated from 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.
The 1980–81 season proved to be a 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
.
of the NHL in 1981. During his debut season, Ruotsalainen scored 56 points in 78 games.
Ruotsalainen, initially paired on defense with Barry Beck, was eventually moved to forward. His Head Coach Herb Brooks
said that Ruotsalainen was the best skater in NHL. Ruotsalainen's fluid skating helped him compensate for his lack 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 and led the Rangers in scoring. Ruotsalainen played in the 1986 NHL All-Star game.
, a Swiss
team that played in Swiss Nationalliga A.
Ruotsalainen played in 35 games and scored 53 points for SC Bern before returning to the NHL.
for the reminder of the 1986–87 NHL season. Ruotsalainen was given a spot on the top line 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, and Ruotsalainen's name was added to the Cup for the first time.
from Sweden
. Ruotsalainen played a steady season with 32 points in 40 games.
for 1989–90 NHL season.
Ruotsalainen's tenure in Bern lasted for three seasons. Ruotsalainen scored 38 points during his first season back in Bern.
.
Ruotsalainen got to play 4 games for Kärpät, scoring 6 points.
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.
. Ruotsalainen had 16 games for KalPa and scored 8 points on them.
, where he played 18 games with 15 points.
, 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.
(winning silver) and the 1981
and the 1987
Canada Cup
s. http://www.azhockey.com/index.html
Ruotsalainen became a coach after his playing career. He was an assistant coach with the Miami Matadors
of the ECHL
during their only season in 1998-99.
He is a member of the Finnish Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenceman. He was twice named Finland's top defenceman, and won two Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
s with the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, in 1987 and 1990.
Kärpät (1975–1981)
Reijo Ruotsalainen started his career in KärpätKärpät
Oulun Kärpät is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga based in Oulu, Finland. Their logo features a stoat ; "kärpät" is Finnish for stoats or ermines. The team has won five league championships .-History:...
. From his early days, "Reksa" was recognized as a talented defenseman while playing for Kärpät Junior teams.
Kärpät, along with Ruotsalainen, got promoted to SM-liiga
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...
from 1. Divisioona
Mestis
Mestis, , is the second-highest ice hockey league in Finland.The league was established in 2000 to replace the first division. Since 2000, Mestis has been the highest hockey league in Finland that can be reached with playing merits only; the SM-liiga was closed in 2000...
for the 1977–78 season, and Ruotsalainen played 30 games and posted 23 points in his first SM-liiga season.
During the 1979–80 season, Ruotsalainen and Kärpät played in the SM-liiga Playoffs, but were eliminated from the Finals by HIFK
HIFK (ice hockey)
HIFK is an ice hockey team based in Helsinki, Finland. The team plays at Helsinki Ice Hall. It was founded in 1897...
. Kärpät, however, won the bronze medal series, 2-0, against TPS
TPS (ice hockey)
TPS or Turun Palloseura is an ice hockey team and 11-time champion of SM-liiga. They play in Turku, Finland at the HK Arena. In terms of championships, TPS is the most successful team in SM-liiga history.-Team history:...
, and Ruotsalainen along with Kärpät got to enjoy their first medals in SM-liiga history.
The 1980–81 season proved to be a breakthrough for Ruotsalainen. Kärpät broke their way through to finals against Tappara
Tappara
Tappara is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Tampere, Finland at Tampereen jäähalli. The team have won 15 league championships ....
. 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
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
.
New York Rangers (1981–1986)
Ruotsalainen was signed by the New York RangersNew York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
of the NHL in 1981. During his debut season, Ruotsalainen scored 56 points in 78 games.
Ruotsalainen, initially paired on defense with Barry Beck, was eventually moved to forward. His Head Coach Herb Brooks
Herb Brooks
Herbert Paul Brooks, Jr. was an American ice hockey player and coach. He notably coached the United States' men's hockey team to a 4-3 upset of the heavily favored Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York on February 22, 1980...
said that Ruotsalainen was the best skater in NHL. Ruotsalainen's fluid skating helped him compensate for his lack 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 and led the Rangers in scoring. Ruotsalainen played in the 1986 NHL All-Star game.
SC Bern (1986)
Ruotsalainen's contract expired after the conclusion of the 1985–86 NHL season. Ruotsalainen was without a team before the start of the 1986–87 NHL season, and accepted an offer from SC BernSC Bern
Schlittschuh Club Bern is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. The club was the most attended team in Europe for the 2010-11 season, averaging 15,856 spectators....
, a Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
team that played in Swiss Nationalliga A.
Ruotsalainen played in 35 games and scored 53 points for SC Bern before returning to the NHL.
Edmonton Oilers (1986–1987)
Ruotsalainen was signed by the Edmonton OilersEdmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
for the reminder of the 1986–87 NHL season. Ruotsalainen was given a spot on the top line of the Oilers. Edmonton had a great team which included Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
, Jari Kurri
Jari Kurri
Jari Pekka Kurri is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey right winger and a five-time Stanley Cup champion. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001. He is currently the general manager of Team Finland....
and Mark Messier
Mark Messier
Mark Douglas Messier is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League and current special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. He spent a quarter of a century in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver...
.
The Oilers went on to win the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
at the end of the season, and Ruotsalainen's name was added to the Cup for the first time.
HV71 (1987–1988)
Ruotsalainen's contract had expired after the successful season with the Oilers. Ruotsalainen's new team was HV71HV71
HV71, often referred to as just HV, is a Swedish professional ice hockey club based in Jönköping, playing in the Swedish elite league Elitserien...
from Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. Ruotsalainen played a steady season with 32 points in 40 games.
SC 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 DevilsNew Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
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 as the Oilers won the Cup for the fifth time, the first without Wayne Gretzky.SC 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. DivisioonaMestis
Mestis, , is the second-highest ice hockey league in Finland.The league was established in 2000 to replace the first division. Since 2000, Mestis has been the highest hockey league in Finland that can be reached with playing merits only; the SM-liiga was closed in 2000...
.
Ruotsalainen got to play 4 games for Kärpät, scoring 6 points.
Tappara (1993–1994)
Ruotsalainen was acquired by SM-liiga team TapparaTappara
Tappara is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Tampere, Finland at Tampereen jäähalli. The team have won 15 league championships ....
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.
SC 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 KalPaKalPa
The Kalevan Pallo is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Kuopio, Finland at the Niiralan monttu.-Team history:Established in 1929, the full name of the company that runs the representative team is KalPa Hockey Oy. The majority of the company is owned by NHL players Sami Kapanen and...
. 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 LionsZSC Lions
The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League A. The home arena, the 10,700 seat Hallenstadion, is in the Zürich district of Oerlikon...
, where he played 18 games with 15 points.
Kärpät (1996–1998)
After his season in ZürichZürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
, 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
Herb Brooks
Herbert Paul Brooks, Jr. was an American ice hockey player and coach. He notably coached the United States' men's hockey team to a 4-3 upset of the heavily favored Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York on February 22, 1980...
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 OlympicsIce hockey at the 1988 Winter Olympics
At the 1988 Winter Olympics one ice hockey event was held, men's ice hockey. Games were played at the Olympic Saddledome, the Stampede Corral, and Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.Source:* Gold - * Silver -...
(winning silver) and the 1981
1981 Canada Cup
The 1981 Canada Cup was the second best-on-best ice hockey world championship and involved the world's top six hockey nations. Tournament games were held in Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Ottawa. The Soviet Union defeated Canada in a single game final to win its first title, while Soviet...
and the 1987
1987 Canada Cup
The 1987 Canada Cup was a professional international ice hockey tournament held from August 28 to September 15, 1987. The finals took place in Montreal on September 11 and Hamilton, Ontario, on September 13 and September 15, and were won by Team Canada....
Canada Cup
Canada Cup (ice hockey)
The Canada Cup was an invitational international ice hockey tournament held on five occasions between 1976 and 1991. The tournament was created to meet demand for a true world championship that allowed the best players from participating nations to compete regardless of their status as professional...
s. http://www.azhockey.com/index.html
Ruotsalainen became a coach after his playing career. He was an assistant coach with the Miami Matadors
Miami Matadors
The Miami Matadors were an ice hockey team in the East Coast Hockey League. They played in Miami, Florida, USA at the Miami Arena for one season before folding. The Matadors franchise would resurface several years later as the Cincinnati Cyclones.-History:...
of the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
during their only season in 1998-99.
He is a member of the Finnish Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.
Awards and achievements
- 1986–87 - NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
- Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
(EdmontonEdmonton OilersThe Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
) - 1989–90 - NHL - Stanley Cup (Edmonton)
- Ranked No. 82 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats (John Wiley & SonsJohn Wiley & SonsJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc., also referred to as Wiley, is a global publishing company that specializes in academic publishing and markets its products to professionals and consumers, students and instructors in higher education, and researchers and practitioners in scientific, technical, medical, and...
, 2009).
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1975–76 | Kärpät Kärpät Oulun Kärpät is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga based in Oulu, Finland. Their logo features a stoat ; "kärpät" is Finnish for stoats or ermines. The team has won five league championships .-History:... |
1. Divisioona Mestis Mestis, , is the second-highest ice hockey league in Finland.The league was established in 2000 to replace the first division. Since 2000, Mestis has been the highest hockey league in Finland that can be reached with playing merits only; the SM-liiga was closed in 2000... |
34 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1976–77 | Kärpät | 1. Divisioona | 36 | 23 | 35 | 58 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 0 | ||
| 1977–78 | Kärpät | SM-liiga SM-liiga The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice... |
30 | 9 | 14 | 23 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978–79 | Kärpät | SM-liiga | 36 | 14 | 8 | 22 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1979–80 | Kärpät | SM-liiga | 30 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 31 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 0 | ||
| 1980–81 | Kärpät | SM-liiga | 34 | 28 | 23 | 51 | 28 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 6 | ||
| 1981–82 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
78 | 18 | 38 | 56 | 27 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 2 | ||
| 1982–83 | New York Rangers | NHL | 77 | 16 | 53 | 69 | 22 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 6 | ||
| 1983–84 | New York Rangers | NHL | 74 | 20 | 39 | 59 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 1984–85 | New York Rangers | NHL | 80 | 28 | 45 | 73 | 32 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 1985–86 | New York Rangers | NHL | 80 | 17 | 42 | 59 | 47 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 6 | ||
| 1986–87 | SC Bern SC Bern Schlittschuh Club Bern is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. The club was the most attended team in Europe for the 2010-11 season, averaging 15,856 spectators.... |
Nationalliga A | 35 | 26 | 27 | 53 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... |
NHL | 16 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 6 | 21 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 10 | ||
| 1987–88 | HV71 HV71 HV71, often referred to as just HV, is a Swedish professional ice hockey club based in Jönköping, playing in the Swedish elite league Elitserien... |
Elitserien Elitserien Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden... |
40 | 10 | 22 | 32 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | SC Bern | Nationalliga A | 36 | 17 | 29 | 46 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 31 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 10 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 22 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 12 | ||
| 1990–91 | SC Bern | Nationalliga A | 36 | 13 | 25 | 38 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 0 | ||
| 1991–92 | SC Bern | Nationalliga A | 36 | 7 | 16 | 23 | 22 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 6 | ||
| 1992–93 | SC Bern | Nationalliga A | 31 | 7 | 16 | 23 | 38 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 8 | ||
| 1993–94 | Kärpät | 1. Divisioona | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Tappara Tappara Tappara is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Tampere, Finland at Tampereen jäähalli. The team have won 15 league championships .... |
SM-liiga | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 1994–95 | SC Bern | Nationalliga A | 19 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 1995–96 | KalPa KalPa The Kalevan Pallo is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Kuopio, Finland at the Niiralan monttu.-Team history:Established in 1929, the full name of the company that runs the representative team is KalPa Hockey Oy. The majority of the company is owned by NHL players Sami Kapanen and... |
SM-liiga | 16 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | ZSC Lions ZSC Lions The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions are a professional ice hockey team located in Zürich, Switzerland, playing in the National League A. The home arena, the 10,700 seat Hallenstadion, is in the Zürich district of Oerlikon... |
Nationalliga A | 18 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Kärpät | 1. Divisioona | 17 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 1997–98 | Kärpät | 1. Divisioona | 44 | 8 | 23 | 31 | 42 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 10 | ||
| NHL totals | 446 | 107 | 237 | 344 | 180 | 86 | 15 | 32 | 47 | 44 | ||||
| SM-liiga totals | 152 | 71 | 67 | 138 | 116 | 27 | 13 | 8 | 21 | 12 | ||||
| Nationalliga A totals | 210 | 77 | 130 | 207 | 84 | 32 | 11 | 20 | 31 | 18 | ||||
Awards and honors
- Directorate Award, Best Defenseman, 1980 IIHF world junior hockey championships
External links
- Reijo Ruotsalainen on nhlfinns.com
- A to Z of Ice Hockey
- Ice Hockey Wiki