Ruben Rafkin

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Ruben Rafkin

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2002|1|8}}

| birth_place = Turku, Finland

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lbs = 190

| position = Defense

| shoots = Right

| league = SHL

| team = Örebro HK

| prospect_league =

| prospect_team =

| former_teams = HC TPS
Tappara

| ntl_team =

| draft = Undrafted

| draft_year =

| draft_team =

| career_start = 2020

| career_end =

}}

Ruben Rafkin (born 8 January 2002) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for Örebro HK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

Playing career

Rafkin was drafted 14th overall by the Windsor Spitfires in the 2019 CHL Import Draft.{{cite web |url=https://windsorstar.com/sports/hockey/spitfires-land-a-defenceman-with-a-little-moxie-in-physical-finn-rafkin/ |title=Spitfires land a defenceman with a little moxie in physical Finn Rafkin |newspaper=Windsor Star |first=Jim |last=Parker |date=27 June 2019 |access-date=14 December 2021}} He recorded four goals and 27 assists in 59 games for the Spitfires.{{cite web |url=https://windsorstar.com/sports/spitfires-retain-rights-to-rafkin-ahead-of-selection-in-chl-import-draft |title= Spitfires retain rights to Rafkin ahead of selection in CHL Import Draft |newspaper=Windsor Star |first=Jim |last=Parker |date=29 June 2020 |access-date=14 December 2021}} On April 3, 2020, Rafkin signed a two-year contract with HC TPS of the Finnish Liiga.{{cite web |url=https://windsorstar.com/sports/rafkin-joins-piiroinen-in-leaving-spitfires-to-play-at-home-in-finland |title=Rafkin joins Piiroinen in leaving Spitfires to play at home in Finland |newspaper=Windsor Star |first=Jim |last=Parker |date=3 April 2020 |access-date=14 December 2021}} He made his professional debut for TPS during the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2020/5/25/21261576/ruben-rafkin-2020-nhl-draft-prospect-profile-well-traveled-defender-tri-city-windsor-tps-turku |title=Ruben Rafkin: 2020 NHL Draft Prospect Profile; Well-Traveled Defender |website=allaboutthejersey.com |first=John |last=Fischer |date=25 May 2020 |access-date=14 December 2021}}

During the 2024–25 season, Rafkin transferred from the Liiga following 33 appearances with Tappara to the SHL in joining Örebro HK on 6 February 2025.{{citeweb| title = Finnish defender joins OHK | publisher = Örebro HK | date = 6 February 2025 | accessdate = 6 February 2025 | language = Swedish | url = https://www.orebrohockey.se/article/7yuasr9-3afc1/view }}

International play

{{MedalCountry|{{ihj|FIN}}}}

Rafkin represented Finland at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he appeared in one game and won a bronze medal. {{cite web |url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2021/wm20/news/23233/players-battle-for-world-juniors-ticket |title=Players battle for World Juniors ticket |website=IIHF.com |first=Martin |last=Merk |date=9 December 2020 |access-date=14 December 2021}} He will again represent Finland at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sweden-finland-announce-2022-wjc-rosters/c-328790162 |title=Sweden announces roster for 2022 World Junior Championship |website=NHL.com |first=Adam |last=Kimelman |date=8 December 2021 |access-date=14 December 2021}}

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.[https://www.jatkoaika.com/Haastattelu/ikäluokkansa-kovimpiin-kuuluva-suomalaislupaus-ruben-rafkin-matkalla-yhdysvaltain-juniorisarjaan/179893 Ikäluokkansa kovimpiin kuuluva suomalaislupaus Ruben Rafkin matkalla Yhdysvaltain juniorisarjaan], jatkoaika.com, 12 July 2016