Mattias Ritola

Mattias Kenneth Ritola (born March 14, 1987) is a former Swedish professional ice hockey forward.

Playing career Ritola made his debut in Sweden's top-tier SHL with Leksands IF during the 2005-06 season, after being drafted 103rd overall in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL entry draft by the Detroit Red Wings. Ritola joined the Red Wings for the 2007-08 season and played his first NHL game on March 15, 2008, against the Nashville Predators. Ritola did not qualify to be engraved on the cup because he did not play in a post-season game, but he was awarded a Stanley Cup ring, and he was included on the 2008 Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup picture. Ritola played in his first post-season game on May 6, 2010, in a 7–1 win over the San Jose Sharks.

On Tuesday October 6, 2010, Ritola was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He scored his first NHL goal on October 30, 2010, against Ilya Bryzgalov of the Phoenix Coyotes. In late 2010, he was diagnosed with the Meniere's disease. Early in November 2011, Ritola cleared regular waivers and was assigned to Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League, however Ritola refused to report to the AHL club. On November 9, 2011, Ritola cleared unconditional waivers and his contract with Tampa Bay was terminated so he would be free to pursue playing opportunities in Europe. On November 10, 2011, Modo Hockey announced that he signed a contract to play until the 2012–13 season of Elitserien. His contract was extended to the 2015–16 season on January 4, 2013.

During the 2014–15 season, after 10 games with Modo, Ritola transferred to return to his original and fellow SHL club, Leksands IF on October 13, 2014. After spending the 2014-15 season with Leksands, he moved on to another SHL side, Skellefteå AIK. He was a regular on a Skellefteå squad that progressed to the SHL finals, where they were beaten by Frölunda HC.

On May 31, 2016, he signed a two-year deal with HC Fribourg-Gottéron of the Swiss National League A (NLA) and left the club on January 18, 2017, for personal reasons. He returned to Leksands IF shortly after parting ways with Fribourg.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2002–03 Borlänge HF SWE.3 25614204 ————— 2003–04 Västra Frölunda HC J18 Allsv 114111535 727912 2003–04 Västra Frölunda HC J20 2474118 50110 2004–05 Frölunda HC J20 92686 ————— 2004–05 Leksands IF J20 188101814 51122 2005–06 Leksands IF J20 1442616 ————— 2005–06 Leksands IF SEL 3003310 ————— 2006–07 Leksands IF J20 12571216 ————— 2006–07 Leksands IF Allsv 231454 ————— 2006–07 Arboga IFK Allsv 31012 ————— 2006–07 Borlänge HF SWE.3 11461014 ————— 2007–08 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 727152262 ————— 2007–08 Detroit Red Wings NHL 20110 ————— 2008–09 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 6615274232 80220 2009–10 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 7319234250 ————— 2009–10 Detroit Red Wings NHL 50000 10000 2010–11 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 3144811 10000 2010–11 Norfolk Admirals AHL 17918278 41450 2011–12 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 50006 ————— 2011–12 Modo Hockey SEL 357132030 61128 2012–13 Modo Hockey SEL 5011132412 52134 2013–14 Modo Hockey SHL 387111826 21010 2014–15 Modo Hockey SHL 1022412 ————— 2014–15 Leksands IF SHL 4210223218 ————— 2015–16 Skellefteå AIK SHL 339233216 16581310 2016–17 HC Fribourg–Gottéron NLA 274131722 ————— 2016–17 Leksands IF SHL 161676 ————— 2017–18 Leksands IF Allsv 4716173330 101344 2018–19 Leksands IF Allsv 112790 10381114 2019–20 Leksands IF SHL 47891742 ————— 2020–21 Leksands IF SHL 2357124 40222 SHL totals 32460109169176 339122124 AHL totals 2285083133152 121670 NHL totals 4345917 20000

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2005 Sweden WJC18 7 1 3 4 8 2006 Sweden WJC 5th 6 2 2 4 2 2016 Sweden WC 6th 8 0 1 1 2 Junior totals 13 3 5 8 10 Senior totals 8 0 1 1 2