One of a long line of Finnish goaltenders to make their mark in the NHL, Raanta has a strong attention to detail, sharp focus, a relentless work ethic and great preparation habits.
He displayed that in his native country before heading to North America. Raanta started his career with Lukko in the Finnish Elite League, then moved to Assat in 2011-12. His best season came in 2012-13, when he led the league in goals-against average (1.85) and save percentage (.943), was fifth in shutouts (five) and tied for fifth in victories (21). He won the Lasse Oksanen Award as the league's best player in the regular season as well as the Urpo Ylonen Award as the league's top goaltender in the regular season.
One of a long line of Finnish goaltenders to make their mark in the NHL, Raanta has a strong attention to detail, sharp focus, a relentless work ethic and great preparation habits.
He displayed that in his native country before heading to North America. Raanta started his career with Lukko in the Finnish Elite League, then moved to Assat in 2011-12. His best season came in 2012-13, when he led the league in goals-against average (1.85) and save percentage (.943), was fifth in shutouts (five) and tied for fifth in victories (21). He won the Lasse Oksanen Award as the league's best player in the regular season as well as the Urpo Ylonen Award as the league's top goaltender in the regular season.
That season he helped led Assat to a league championship and won the Jari Kurri Award as playoff MVP after going 12-4 with a 1.33 GAA and a .955 save percentage. Raanta represented Finland at the 2013 World Championship and was named one of Finland's top three players. He went 4-3 with a 2.09 GAA, a .928 save percentage and one shutout.
With NHL teams recruiting Raanta in the summer, he signed as a free agent with the Chicago Blackhawks for 2013-14. Raanta started the season with Rockford of the American Hockey League before being called up to Chicago. He made his NHL debut in relief of Corey Crawford against the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 19, 2013.
Raanta got his first NHL start on Nov. 27, 2013, getting 20 saves in a victory against the Calgary Flames. He started his career by allowing two or fewer goals in each of his first five starts.
He got his first career shutout, stopping 26 shots in a victory against the Los Angeles Kings on Dec. 30, 2013. Raanta finished the season 13-5-4 with a 2.71 GAA and .897 save percentage for Chicago. At home he was 7-0-2 record with a 1.68 GAA and .928 save percentage.
He played 14 games with Chicago in 2014-15 and did not make a Stanley Cup Playoff appearance for the champion Blackhawks. He was traded to the New York Rangers after the season, on June 27, 2015.
Raanta won the backup job behind Henrik Lundqvist and made his Rangers debut on Oct. 19, 2015, making 22 saves in a shutout against the San Jose Sharks. Raanta won his first four starts, allowing fewer than two goals in three of them. He finished the season 11-6-2 with a 2.25 GAA and a .919 save percentage and made three playoff appearances in New York's opening-round loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
