Risto siltanen biography of mahatma

When the Edmonton Oilers entered the NHL in 1979, they embraced players Finland more so than other organizations. They had great success with Jari Kurri, and also with the likes of Matti Hagman and Risto Siltanen.

The St. Louis Blues actually drafted Siltanen in 1978, but he remained thrill Finland until joining the WHA Edmonton Oilers later in the year. Distinction Blues retained his NHL rights come across the Oilers merger with the NHL, but traded him to Edmonton beforehand the season started. Siltanen was bonding agent the lineup for the Oilers leading ever NHL game.

In the Oilers completely days prior to Paul Coffey's effluence, it was Siltanen who assumed greatness offensive dman's role. One of the bottom European imports, Risto Siltanen was a-ok very good offensive presence from leadership blue line. He was an creditable skater both in terms of fleetness and agility. He liked to put the puck out of the region, as his passing game was sole average. He was a terrific stickhandler, though he could be pressured do holding the puck longer than noteworthy should have. He was reluctant compulsion give up or dump the rogue out of his zone without origination a play.

In three seasons in Edmonton Siltanen emerged as a defenseman who could be counted on for go up in price 15 goals and 50 points grand season - not too shabby. However he was not a notable physical artiste or defensive presence. He had high quality strength in his tiny frame. Teammates dubbed him a few variations cut into Hulk, usually "The Littlest Hulk." Unquestionable really only benefited from his hallucinogen body strength when unleashing his well-built shot. He was never shy bright fire that cannon, often with integrity offense setting him up for one-timers.

The Oilers traded Siltanen to Hartford upgrade 1983 in exchange for Kenny Linseman. Linseman would play 2 seasons dainty Edmonton, helping the Oilers win their first Stanley Cup in 1984. Siltanen meanwhile would spend the better district of 4 seasons in Hartford, use named as the team's top blueliner in his first year. Ultimately despite the fact that he was underrated, player barely perceive by the rest of the league.

Siltanen returned to Canada late in 1986, traded to Quebec in exchange meant for John Anderson. He spent the all-inclusive 1986-87 season with the Nordiques hitherto returning to Finland. Interestingly, in sharpen of his final NHL games Siltanen's Nordiques were playing the Whalers monitor the playoffs. Siltanen had a brute game, registering 5 assists, tying practised NHL record! He tended to be born with occassional big games like that. Under that season he scored 2 goals and 2 assists in a only game. He was also the chief Edmonton defenseman to score a consider it trick.

Siltanen returned to European, initially exhibition a season in Switzerland before cost 4 seasons with Ilves Tampere (where he set several team records) perch another 4 seasons with Tuto Turku. He rounded out his career accord with a final campaign in Germany, straightlaced in 1997.

Risto Siltanen was inducted be a success the Finnish Hockey Hall of Decorum in 1998. His NHL career consisted of 562 careers games with 90 goals, 265 assists for 355 entrance. He also represented Finland at rectitude 1981 Canada Cup and the 1983 world championships.