Ruben Rafkin

Ruben Rafkin (born 8 January 2002) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for HC TPS of the Liiga.

Playing career Rafkin was drafted 14th overall by the Windsor Spitfires in the 2019 CHL Import Draft. He recorded four goals and 27 assists in 59 games for the Spitfires. On April 3, 2020, Rafkin signed a two-year contract with HC TPS of the Finnish Liiga. He made his professional debut for TPS during the 2020–21 season.

During the 2024–25 season, Rafkin transferred from the Liiga following 33 appearances with Tappara to the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in joining Örebro HK on 6 February 2025. He played out the season, notching 2 assists through 12 games.

On 21 May 2025, Rafkin returned to his original club, HC TPS of the Liiga, agreeing to a one-year contract for the 2025–26 season.

International play

Rafkin represented Finland at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he appeared in one game and won a bronze medal. He will again represent Finland at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Personal life Rafkin is of Finnish and Russian-Jewish descent. His paternal great-grandfather had moved from Russia to Vyborg. He is the grandson of Dennis Rafkin, a Finnish businessman and the founder and the owner of Pizzeria Dennis restaurant chain.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2018–19 Tri-City Storm USHL 38 2 8 10 90 — — — — — 2019–20 Windsor Spitfires OHL 59 4 27 31 61 — — — — — 2020–21 TPS Liiga 48 4 12 16 36 13 0 3 3 6 2021–22 TPS Liiga 52 5 6 11 100 18 0 3 3 10 2022–23 TPS Liiga 39 0 11 11 22 — — — — — 2023–24 TPS Liiga 57 4 21 25 79 9 0 1 1 2 2024–25 Tappara Liiga 33 1 6 7 28 — — — — — 2024–25 Örebro HK SHL 12 0 2 2 10 2 0 0 0 4 Liiga totals 229 14 56 70 265 40 0 7 7 18

International Year T1eam Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2018 Finland U17 6 1 1 2 10 2019 Finland HG18 4th 3 0 1 1 2 2021 Finland WJC 1 0 0 0 0 2022 Finland WJC 7 0 1 1 8 Junior totals 17 1 3 4 20