Jani Rita
Information about Jani Rita
Jani Rita (born July 25, 1981 in Helsinki, Finland) is a professional ice hockey winger.
Despite limited NHL experience, Rita has played extensively in the American Hockey League and in the SM-liiga in his native Finland. He played his first seasons of pro hockey for Jokerit, Helsinki, and was drafted 13th overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers.
Rita played for HPK in the SM-liiga during the 2004-05 NHL lockout, winning the bronze medal. That season he was awarded the Raimo Kilpiö trophy, and led the league in scoring during the playoffs. He also represented Finland at the 2005 World Hockey Championship, earning one assist. He had signed with Jokerit for the 2005-06 season, but the contract had a clause enabling him to return to the NHL, and when the Oilers offered him a one-year contract in August 2005, Rita signed on to return to North America.
Although once considered a premier prospect at the NHL level, Rita's slow development showed cause for concern to Oilers management. On January 26, 2006, Rita was traded along with Cory Cross, to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Dick Tärnström.
It was announced on 2 May 2006 that Rita was to depart Pittsburgh to join Jokerit on a one-year contract. He was the best goal scorer of SM-liiga in 2006-2007 season.
Despite limited NHL experience, Rita has played extensively in the American Hockey League and in the SM-liiga in his native Finland. He played his first seasons of pro hockey for Jokerit, Helsinki, and was drafted 13th overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers.
Rita played for HPK in the SM-liiga during the 2004-05 NHL lockout, winning the bronze medal. That season he was awarded the Raimo Kilpiö trophy, and led the league in scoring during the playoffs. He also represented Finland at the 2005 World Hockey Championship, earning one assist. He had signed with Jokerit for the 2005-06 season, but the contract had a clause enabling him to return to the NHL, and when the Oilers offered him a one-year contract in August 2005, Rita signed on to return to North America.
Although once considered a premier prospect at the NHL level, Rita's slow development showed cause for concern to Oilers management. On January 26, 2006, Rita was traded along with Cory Cross, to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Dick Tärnström.
It was announced on 2 May 2006 that Rita was to depart Pittsburgh to join Jokerit on a one-year contract. He was the best goal scorer of SM-liiga in 2006-2007 season.
Awards
- Raimo Kilpiö trophy for gentleman player - 2005
- Aarne Honkavaara trophy for best goal scorer - 2007
Career statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1998-99 | Jokerit | SM-liiga | 41 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 39 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1999-00 | Jokerit | SM-liiga | 49 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2000-01 | Jokerit | SM-liiga | 50 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2001-02 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | 76 | 25 | 17 | 42 | 32 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2001-02 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2002-03 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | 64 | 21 | 27 | 48 | 18 | 23 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 2 | ||
| 2002-03 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 12 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2003-04 | Toronto Roadrunners | AHL | 64 | 17 | 24 | 41 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2003-04 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2004-05 | HPK | SM-liiga | 56 | 21 | 18 | 39 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 4 | ||
| 2005-06 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 21 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2005-06 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 30 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2006-07 | Jokerit | SM-liiga | 56 | 32 | 20 | 52 | 28 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 7 | |||
| NHL Totals | 65 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 10 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||||
External links
- Jani Rita on nhlfinns.com
- Prospect Report: Jani Rita
- Jani Rita at TSN.ca
| Preceded by Kimmo Kuhta | Winner of the Raimo Kilpiö trophy 2004-05 | Succeeded by Esa Pirnes |
| Preceded by Tony Salmelainen | Winner of the Aarne Honkavaara trophy 2006-07 | Succeeded by |
Edmonton Oilers first-round draft picks
Lowe • Coffey • Fuhr • Playfair • Beukeboom • Odelein • Metcalfe • Issel • Soberlak • Leroux • Soules • Allison • Wright • Rucinsky • Hulbig • Arnott • Stajduhar • Bonsignore • Smyth • Kelly • Devereaux • Descoteaux • Riesen • Henrich • Rita • Mikhnov • Hemsky • Niinimaki • Pouliot • Dubnyk • Schremp • Cogliano • Gagner • Plante • Nash
July 25 is the 1st day of the year (2nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 0 days remaining.
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City of Helsinki
Helsingin kaupunki - Helsingfors stad
Coat of arms
Location of Helsinki in Northern Europe
Coordinates:
Country Finland
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Helsingin kaupunki - Helsingfors stad
Coat of arms
Location of Helsinki in Northern Europe
Coordinates:
Country Finland
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Anthem
Maamme (Finnish)
Vårt land (Swedish)
Our Land
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Maamme (Finnish)
Vårt land (Swedish)
Our Land
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Ice hockey, often referred to simply as hockey in Canada and the United States, is a team sport played on ice. It is a speedy and physical sport. Ice hockey is most popular in areas that are sufficiently cold for natural, reliable seasonal ice cover, though with the advent
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Sport Ice hockey
Founded 1917
No. of teams 30
Country(ies) Canada
United States
Most recent champion(s) Anaheim Ducks
TV partner(s) CAN: CBC, TSN, RDS, RIS, RSN (regional)
USA:
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Founded 1917
No. of teams 30
Country(ies) Canada
United States
Most recent champion(s) Anaheim Ducks
TV partner(s) CAN: CBC, TSN, RDS, RIS, RSN (regional)
USA:
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Sport Ice hockey
Founded 1936
No. of teams 29
Country(ies) United States
Canada
Most recent champion(s) Hamilton Bulldogs
Official website www.theahl.
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Founded 1936
No. of teams 29
Country(ies) United States
Canada
Most recent champion(s) Hamilton Bulldogs
Official website www.theahl.
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Sport Ice hockey
Founded 1975
No. of teams 14
Country(ies) Finland
Most recent champion(s) Kärpät
Official website [1]
SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland.
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Founded 1975
No. of teams 14
Country(ies) Finland
Most recent champion(s) Kärpät
Official website [1]
SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland.
..... Click the link for more information.
Anthem
Maamme (Finnish)
Vårt land (Swedish)
Our Land
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Maamme (Finnish)
Vårt land (Swedish)
Our Land
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Jokerit
League SM-liiga
Founded 1967
History Jokerit
1967 - present
Arena Hartwall Areena (capacity 13 464)
City Helsinki, Finland
Team Colors Dark blue, red, yellow
General Manager
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League SM-liiga
Founded 1967
History Jokerit
1967 - present
Arena Hartwall Areena (capacity 13 464)
City Helsinki, Finland
Team Colors Dark blue, red, yellow
General Manager
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City of Helsinki
Helsingin kaupunki - Helsingfors stad
Coat of arms
Location of Helsinki in Northern Europe
Coordinates:
Country Finland
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Helsingin kaupunki - Helsingfors stad
Coat of arms
Location of Helsinki in Northern Europe
Coordinates:
Country Finland
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The 1999 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26th at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts.
Selections By Round
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Draft Order
Selections By Round
Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 | Round 7 | Round 8 | Round 9
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Edmonton Oilers
Conference Western
Division Northwest
Founded 1972
History Edmonton Oilers
1979-present (NHL)
1973-1979 (WHA)
Alberta Oilers
1972-73 (WHA)
Home Arena Rexall Place
City Edmonton, Alberta
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Conference Western
Division Northwest
Founded 1972
History Edmonton Oilers
1979-present (NHL)
1973-1979 (WHA)
Alberta Oilers
1972-73 (WHA)
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City Edmonton, Alberta
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HPK
League SM-liiga
Founded 1929
History HPK
1929 - present
Arena Hämeenlinnan jäähalli
City Hämeenlinna, Finland
Team Colors Black, orange, white
General Manager Kai Tervonen
Head Coach
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League SM-liiga
Founded 1929
History HPK
1929 - present
Arena Hämeenlinnan jäähalli
City Hämeenlinna, Finland
Team Colors Black, orange, white
General Manager Kai Tervonen
Head Coach
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Sport Ice hockey
Founded 1975
No. of teams 14
Country(ies) Finland
Most recent champion(s) Kärpät
Official website [1]
SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland.
..... Click the link for more information.
Founded 1975
No. of teams 14
Country(ies) Finland
Most recent champion(s) Kärpät
Official website [1]
SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland.
..... Click the link for more information.
The 2004-05 NHL Lockout resulted in the cancellation of what would have been the 88th season of the National Hockey League (NHL). It was the first time the Stanley Cup was not awarded since 1919, and the first time a major professional sports league in North America canceled a
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The Raimo Kilpiö trophy is an ice hockey trophy awarded by the Finnish SM-liiga to the "gentleman player" of the season.
Trophy winners:
1953-54: Esko Rekomaa (HJK)
1954-55: Seppo Liitsola (TBK)
1955-56: Teppo Rastio (Lukko)
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Trophy winners:
1953-54: Esko Rekomaa (HJK)
1954-55: Seppo Liitsola (TBK)
1955-56: Teppo Rastio (Lukko)
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The Ice Hockey World Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation.
They were preceded by the European Championship which was held from 1910 to 1932, and decided at the 1920 Summer Olympics for the first time.
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They were preceded by the European Championship which was held from 1910 to 1932, and decided at the 1920 Summer Olympics for the first time.
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Jokerit
League SM-liiga
Founded 1967
History Jokerit
1967 - present
Arena Hartwall Areena (capacity 13 464)
City Helsinki, Finland
Team Colors Dark blue, red, yellow
General Manager
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League SM-liiga
Founded 1967
History Jokerit
1967 - present
Arena Hartwall Areena (capacity 13 464)
City Helsinki, Finland
Team Colors Dark blue, red, yellow
General Manager
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Cory Cross (b. 3 January, 1971 in Lloydminster, Alberta) is a professional ice hockey defenceman, who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League. After being drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Cross went on to spend time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers,
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Pittsburgh Penguins
Conference Eastern
Division Atlantic
Founded 1967
History Pittsburgh Penguins
1967 - present
Home Arena Mellon Arena (17,132)
City Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Colors''' Black, Vegas Gold, and White
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Conference Eastern
Division Atlantic
Founded 1967
History Pittsburgh Penguins
1967 - present
Home Arena Mellon Arena (17,132)
City Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Colors''' Black, Vegas Gold, and White
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Dick Tärnström (born January 20 1975, in Sundbyberg, Sweden) is a professional ice hockey player that started his professional career in AIK. He plays for the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL.
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Jokerit
League SM-liiga
Founded 1967
History Jokerit
1967 - present
Arena Hartwall Areena (capacity 13 464)
City Helsinki, Finland
Team Colors Dark blue, red, yellow
General Manager
..... Click the link for more information.
League SM-liiga
Founded 1967
History Jokerit
1967 - present
Arena Hartwall Areena (capacity 13 464)
City Helsinki, Finland
Team Colors Dark blue, red, yellow
General Manager
..... Click the link for more information.
The Raimo Kilpiö trophy is an ice hockey trophy awarded by the Finnish SM-liiga to the "gentleman player" of the season.
Trophy winners:
1953-54: Esko Rekomaa (HJK)
1954-55: Seppo Liitsola (TBK)
1955-56: Teppo Rastio (Lukko)
..... Click the link for more information.
Trophy winners:
1953-54: Esko Rekomaa (HJK)
1954-55: Seppo Liitsola (TBK)
1955-56: Teppo Rastio (Lukko)
..... Click the link for more information.
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The Aarne Honkavaara trophy is an ice hockey trophy given by the Finnish SM-liiga to the player who scores the most goals during regular season play.
Trophy Winners:
1977-78: Markku Kiimalainen (Kärpät)
1978-79: Kari Makkonen (Ässät)
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Trophy Winners:
1977-78: Markku Kiimalainen (Kärpät)
1978-79: Kari Makkonen (Ässät)
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Jokerit
League SM-liiga
Founded 1967
History Jokerit
1967 - present
Arena Hartwall Areena (capacity 13 464)
City Helsinki, Finland
Team Colors Dark blue, red, yellow
General Manager
..... Click the link for more information.
League SM-liiga
Founded 1967
History Jokerit
1967 - present
Arena Hartwall Areena (capacity 13 464)
City Helsinki, Finland
Team Colors Dark blue, red, yellow
General Manager
..... Click the link for more information.
Sport Ice hockey
Founded 1975
No. of teams 14
Country(ies) Finland
Most recent champion(s) Kärpät
Official website [1]
SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland.
..... Click the link for more information.
Founded 1975
No. of teams 14
Country(ies) Finland
Most recent champion(s) Kärpät
Official website [1]
SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland.
..... Click the link for more information.
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Channel 402 (Alternate Feed)
Star Choice Channel 400
Channel 401 (Alternate Feed)
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Available on most Canadian cable systems Check local listings The Sports Network (commonly known as TSN
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