Ruben Rafkin
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| Ruben Rafkin | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
8 January 2002 Turku, Finland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Defense | ||
| Shoots | Right | ||
| Liiga team Former teams |
HC TPS Tappara Örebro HK | ||
| NHL draft | Undrafted | ||
| Playing career | 2020–present | ||
Ruben Rafkin (born 8 January 2002) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for HC TPS of the Liiga.
Rafkin was drafted 14th overall by the Windsor Spitfires in the 2019 CHL Import Draft.[1] He recorded four goals and 27 assists in 59 games for the Spitfires.[2] On April 3, 2020, Rafkin signed a two-year contract with HC TPS of the Finnish Liiga.[3] He made his professional debut for TPS during the 2020–21 season.[4]
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.[5] 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.[6]
International play
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ice hockey | ||
Representing  Finland | ||
| World Junior Championships | ||
 | 2022 Canada | |
 | 2021 Canada | |
Rafkin represented Finland at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he appeared in one game and won a bronze medal. [7] He will again represent Finland at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[8]
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.[9]
