• He competed for Team Finland at the 2012 and 2013 World Junior Championships, totaling nine points (2-7--9) in 13 tournament games. He also represented his country at the 2012 Under-18 World Championship, recording three points (2-1--3).

• Ristolainen has garnered attention on YouTube for his nifty shootout goal (more than 18,000 views) and a hit that sent Jokerit forward Tomi Maki into the bench (more than 17,000 views).

• He began playing hockey as a five-year-old, but did not make the move from forward to defense until he was 12.

• Ristolainen patterns his heavy shot and physical play after Predators captain Shea Weber, his childhood hockey idol.

NEWS

SIZE, SKILL HELP RISTOLAINEN ATTRACT ATTENTION (click here)

FAVORITES

NHL team: Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL player: Milan Lucic
Shootout move: “Peter Forsberg move”
Movie: Rocky
TV show: Salatut Elamat
Video game: NHL 12
Pump-up song: “International Love” by Pitbull
Home-cooked meal: Lasagna
Place to visit: New York City