
Finnish Defenceman Rafkin Chosen at #14
June 27, 2019 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Windsor Spitfires News Release

Defenceman Ruben Rafkin with the Tri-City Storm
(Windsor Spitfires, Credit: Eldon Holmes, Tri-City Storm)
(Windsor, ON) - With the #14 pick in the 2019 CHL Import Draft, GM Warren Rychel chose Finnish national Ruben Rafkin.
The 6'0, 188-pound defenceman played for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL last season, posting two goals and eight assists, along with 90 penalty minutes, in 38 games played.
The Turku native also represented Finland in the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, recording a goal and an assist in six games played.
Rychel says Rafkin should adjust quickly to the OHL, having played in North America for the last three years.
"We've added some young forwards to our group recently, so we thought it was imperative to get a defenceman in this draft," Rychel said. "And Ruben is a really good one. He plays with energy and is an excellent hitter. He'll be a nice addition to our group of 2002s and 2003s."
Images from this story
![]() Defenceman Ruben Rafkin with the Tri-City Storm (Eldon Holmes, Tri-City Storm) |
Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 27, 2019
- 2019 CHL Import Draft Results - OHL
- Spirit Select Belarusian Defenseman Ilya Solovyov 53rd Overall in CHL Import Draft - Saginaw Spirit
- Frontenacs Select Martin Chromiak and Vitali Pinchuk in CHL Import Draft - Kingston Frontenacs
- 2019 CHL Import Draft Recap - Brampton Steelheads
- Troops Take Has, Korpialho - North Bay Battalion
- Wolves Add Two in CHL Import Draft - Sudbury Wolves
- Knights Complete 2019 CHL Import Draft - London Knights
- Storm Select Andrei Bakanov and Roman Bychkov in CHL Import Draft - Guelph Storm
- Colts Select Two in CHL Import Draft - Barrie Colts
- Rangers Select Two in 2019 CHL Import Draft - Kitchener Rangers
- Hounds Select Nick Malik in 2018 CHL Import Draft - Soo Greyhounds
- Attack Add Stepan Machacek in CHL Import Draft - Owen Sound Attack
- Finnish Defenceman Rafkin Chosen at #14 - Windsor Spitfires
- Petes Select David Maier in 2019 CHL Import Draft - Peterborough Petes
- Firebirds Select Belarus Native Evgeni Oksentyuk in CHL Import Draft - Flint Firebirds
- Otters Select Russian Forward Marat Khusnutdinov in CHL Import Draft - Erie Otters
- Spirit to Participate in 2019 CHL Import Draft - Saginaw Spirit
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Windsor Spitfires Stories
- Windsor Spitfires Hire Jennifer Love as Athletic Therapist
- Windsor Spitfires Trio Invited to TeamCanada U18 Development Camp
- Spitfires Celebrate HomeGrown Achievements: J.R. Grant and John McLaughlin Receive Canada U17 Camp Invites
- Spitfires Sign 2025 2nd Round Pick Ian Inskip to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement
- Spitfires Sign 2025 1st Round Pick John McLaughlin to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

