Matias Rajaniemi

Matias Rajaniemi (born 11 September 2002) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for Jokerit of Mestis. Rajaniemi was drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL entry draft by the New York Islanders with the 183rd overall pick.

Playing career Rajaniemi played as a youth within the Lahti Pelicans organization before making his professional debut in the Liiga with the Pelicans during the 2019–20 season. He registered 2 assists through 12 games.

During his fourth season with the Pelicans, having featured in 6 games, Rajaniemi left the club to sign a two-year contract and immediately join SaiPa of the Liiga on 22 November 2022.

At the conclusion of his contract with SaiPa, Rajaniemi joined the New York Islanders' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders, on an initial ATO for the remainder of the 2023–24 season while signing a one-year contract for the following season on March 26, 2024.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2018–19 Lahti Pelicans Jr. A 34 2 3 5 16 8 0 1 1 2 2019–20 Lahti Pelicans Jr. A 39 2 15 17 24 1 0 0 0 0 2019–20 Lahti Pelicans Liiga 12 0 2 2 0 — — — — — 2019–20 Peliitat Mestis 2 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 2020–21 Lahti Pelicans Liiga 46 3 6 9 20 3 1 0 1 0 2021–22 Lahti Pelicans Liiga 58 1 6 7 24 — — — — — 2022–23 Lahti Pelicans Liiga 6 0 2 2 6 — — — — — 2022–23 SaiPa Liiga 25 0 2 2 6 — — — — — 2023–24 SaiPa Liiga 53 0 8 8 18 — — — — — 2024–25 Worcester Railers ECHL 61 5 5 10 18 — — — — — 2024–25 Bridgeport Islanders AHL 4 0 0 0 0 — — — — —Liiga totals 200 4 26 30 74 3 1 0 1 0

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2021 Finland WJC 6 0 0 0 0 2022 Finland WJC 6 0 1 1 0Junior totals 12 0 1 1 0