Pekka Rautakallio

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


played_for = NHL
Atlanta Flames
Calgary Flames
WHA
Phoenix Roadrunners
SM-liiga
Ässät
HIFK
league = NHL
position = Defence
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 2
weight_lb = 213
nickname = Rocky Rautakallio
nationality = FIN
birth_date = birth date and age|1953|07|25
birth_place = Pori, FIN
draft =
draft_year =
draft_team =
career_start = 1970
career_end = 1987

Pekka Rautakallio (born July 25, 1953 in Pori, Finland) is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who played three seasons in the National Hockey League for the Atlanta Flames and Calgary Flames.

Playing career

Early Years

Pekka Rautakallio started his ice hockey career in local club of his hometown, Ässät in 1970. As a tough and big defenceman, Rautakallio was soon noticed and he played on his first International tournament in 1972.

Rautakallio played twice on the World Championships before he was acquired by WHA team Phoenix Roadrunners.

WHA

Rautakallio played in the WHA for two seasons and scored on his first season a total of 50 points in 73 games during the regular season.

Rautakallio returned to Finland after the 1976–1977 WHA season.

Brief Homecoming

Rautakallio's return to Finland lasted for two seasons.

During the two seasons, Rautakallio was selected twice as the best defenceman in SM-liiga and he started to establish a good reputation in Finland as a good defenceman.

NHL

Rautakallio moved to NHL in 1979 and quickly made his mark. As a big defenceman, Rautakallio fitted well to the North American style of hockey.

In 1982, Rautakallio was selected to the NHL All-Star game as the first ever Finnish player but after the season Rautakallio decided to return to Finland.

Return to Finland

After his NHL career, Pekka Rautakallio stayed as one of the top players of his time. Rautakallio returned to play for HIFK, instead of Ässät and served for a while as the captain of HIFK.

Rautakallio retired from playing in 1987.

Coaching career

After his playing career, Rautakallio started out as Coach.

Rautakallio has served twice as Head Coach, in both occasions he has been the Head Coach for SM-liiga team Blues. His first term came during the 1998–99 SM-liiga season, when he was replaced mid-season by Hannu Saintula. Rautakallios second term came when he was the replacement for Hannu Virta, who was sacked during the 2004–05 SM-liiga season.

External links

* [http://www.nhlfinns.com/players.aspx?pid=73 Pekka Rautakallio] on nhlfinns.com