Jani Rita
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Jani Rita (born July 25, 1981 in Helsinki, Finland) is a professional ice hockey winger.
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[edit] Playing career
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. He finished the season with just 10 points in 51 games.
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.
[edit] Awards
- Raimo Kilpiö trophy for gentleman player - 2005
- Aarne Honkavaara trophy for best goal scorer - 2007
[edit] 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 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||||
[edit] 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 ' |
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