Ari Ahonen

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(Photo courtesy Mike Ashmore. Thanks, Mike!)

BIOGRAPHY

BORN: Jyvaskyla, Finland, February 6, 1981.
HOME:
HEIGHT: 6'2".
WEIGHT: 170-195 lbs.
UNIFORM #: 31 (Albany).
CATCHES: Left

STYLE:
STRENGTHS: Tall enough to cover most of the net standing up. Not easy to rattle, and has the temperament and demeanor of a number-one goalie.
WEAKNESSES:

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

"A big goaltender with quick reactions and fast reflexes. Possesses a very good glove hand and makes good use of his stick. Reads the play very well and knows where the puck is at all times. A very good competitor and a confident goalie." (The Sports Forecaster 1999-2000, p. 100)

"The Devils were nervous when Ahonen, 18, chose to play this season in the Finnish League against much older players. But the success of the young goalie proved that he made the right choice. "Too much too soon is not always a positive thing," said Devils' director of scouting David Conte. "For an 18-year-old to accrue that much experience is not normal. He has played better than we expected." Neither a total stand-up goalie nor a flopper, Ahonen had the Devils excited because his style and size are similar to that of Martin Brodeur." (The Hockey News Future Watch 2000)

"A classic, stand-up goalie who is cool under pressure, Ahonen has developed his game against top European competition. Struggled somewhat in the second half of the season. Some in the Devils organization feel Ahonen is closer to the NHL than Jean-Francois Damphousse. However, a stint in Albany is not unlikely as the club would like him to adjust to the North American game." (The Sports Forecaster 2000-01, p. 89)

"A first team all-star at the World Junior Championship, Ahonen has a reputation as a big-save goalie. Goalie coach Jacques Caron worked with him in training camp and the Devils have received nothing but glowing reports about his mechanics. He may spend a season with Albany of the American League before coming up as an NHL backup. "I don't think Marty (Brodeur) has to put his house up for sale yet," [New Jersey director of scouting David] Conte said, "but Ahonen is on track for a pro career."" (Rich Chere, The Hockey News Future Watch 2001)

"After a couple of seasons with HIFK Helsinki of the Finnish elite league, will this finally be the year Ahonen crosses the pond to play in North America? A 2.77 goals-against average an a .920 save percentage last season should make it tough to keep him in Finland. Ahonen was a bit of a surprise being taken in the first round of 2000 but it has become obvious that the Devils knew what they were doing. Ahonen has great size and exceptional fundamentals." (The Sports Forecaster 2001-02, p. 91)

"While both Scott Clemmensen and J-F Damphousse were given shots at backing up Martin Brodeur, the Devils continue to nurture Ahonen at Albany. The Finn impressed his coaches with his adjustment to the smaller ice surface, changing his game just enough to handle the aggressiveness around the net. "He's a natural. He's quick," [New Jersey GM Lou] Lamoriello said. "The things he does, you just don't teach."" (Rich Chere, The Hockey News Future Watch 2002)

"Ahonen was peppered with over 30 shots per game in his first year in North America as he played for the struggling Albany River Rats. He was solid in posting a .914 save percentage despite his 3.02 goals-against average. Ahonen is tabbed as the netminder of the future for New Jersey." (The Sports Forecaster 2002-03, p. 89)

"Although he was a starting goalie in the top Finnish league, the Devils believe Ahonen may have had more to learn in the AHL than some junior prospects. "He has had to get used to the smaller rinks in the way he moves," said goalie coach Chris Terreri. Ahonen's development has been slowed slightly because the River Rats have struggled as a team, but his confidence continues to rise and his biggest obstacle from reaching the NHL remains the man in front of him (Brodeur). A butterfly goalie who relies on quickness, Ahonen has improved his stick skills." (Rich Chere, The Hockey News Future Watch 2003, p. 29)

"The Devils have been patient with the No. 27 overall pick in 1999. The 24-year-old Finn is a big goalie with a sensational glove and quick reflexes. He reads the play well, but has struggled with consistency in the AHL. The Devils see him eventually taking over for Brodeur, but not for a while." (The Sports Forecaster 2005-06, p. 98)

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ACCOLADES:

INJURIES:

DID YOU KNOW?

SEASON RECORDS:

REGULAR SEASON
Year  Team                        GP    Min   W   L   T  OL     GA    GAA   Shots    Sv%   ShO   G   A   PiM     S/60    PERS
97-98 JyP HT Jyvaskyla FINLAND JR 31   1853                     64   2.09
98-99 JyP HT Jyvaskyla FINLAND JR 24   1447                     70   2.90                    0
99-00 HIFK Helsinki FINLAND       24   1347  11   7   1         70   3.12                    1
      HIFK Helsinki FINLAND JR    11    658                     22   2.01
00-01 HIFK Helsinki FINLAND       37   2101  18  13   4         97   2.77                    2
01-02 Albany River Rats AHL       36   2106   6  22   6        106   3.02    1232   .914     0   0   0     4
02-03 Albany River Rats AHL       38   2171  13  20   3        110   3.04    1076   .898     1   0   0     8
03-04 Albany River Rats AHL       50   3012  13  30   6        150   2.99    1524   .902     2   0   0     8
04-05 Albany River Rats AHL       38   2195  16  20   1        114   3.12    1270   .910     4   0   2    44
05-06 Albany River Rats AHL       16    949   3  13       0     63   3.98     585   .892     0   0   0    12
06-07 Blues Espoo FINLAND          5    308   1   2   2         13   2.53                    0
      Jokerit Helsinki FINLAND    20   1213   9   6   5         54   2.67                    1

POST-SEASON
Year  Team                        GP    Min   W   L   GA    GAA   Shots    Sv%   ShO   G   A   PiM     S/60    PERS
99-00 HIFK Helsinki FINLAND        2    119   0   2    7   3.53                    0
00-01 HIFK Helsinki FINLAND        5    395   2   3    9   1.37                    1

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