The season is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to look towards the future. We do that every year with the Five For Howling 25 Under 25, ranking the Coyotes’ best players under 25. For this year’s rankings, I am joined by James Reeve (@JamesRJReeve), Mike Gould (@miketgould), Haynes Evans (@HaynesPEvans), and Matthew Jacobson (@TheAZSportsGuy).
Aku Räty
2022-23 League: Liiga (Ilves )
Games Played: 53
Goals: 18
Assists: 24
Liiga Playoffs Games Played: 10
Liiga Playoffs Goals: 1
Liiga Playoffs Assists: 0
Highest Rating: 12
Lowest Rating: 20
Awards: Matti Keinonen Trophy (Best Plus/Minus)
Drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, forward Aku Räty has spent much of his career in his native Finland. After being drafted he started getting time in Finland’s top league and began playing there full-time during the 2021-22 season.
Räty played exceptionally well last season in the top Finish league. He finished second on his team in goals scored and was fifth on his team in points. His 42 points put him at 11th across the entire Liiga league. He also finished with the best plus/minus in Liiga, netting him the Matti Keinonen trophy.
If there is one knock against Räty’s season, it’s that he couldn’t bring his regular-season play into the playoffs. He managed only one goal in 10 playoff games and was a -5, which isn’t what you would expect from the best plus/minus during the regular season.
But Räty’s time in Finland has come to an end after signing a two-year, two-way contract with the Coyotes last May. He is set to play for the Tucson Roadrunners next season and could be a significant piece of the team if his play from Finland can transfer over. Plus, Räty’s brother Aatu Räty is playing in North America and is currently with the Vancouver Canucks organization, so there is a good chance the brothers will face off against each other in the AHL next season.
A possible concern regarding Räty’s career in Arizona is that the previous GM, John Chayka, drafted him. We have already seen that Bill Armstrong and Chayka do not have the same views on players, but GMBA clearly sees something in Räty if he was willing to sign him to a two-year deal.
After a full season in the AHL, we should better understand what Räty’s ceiling is this time next year. He likely isn’t going to be a top-line player for the Arizona Coyotes, but he could be a good role player, which every team needs. Either way, Räty’s progress is progressing nicely, and fans should be excited to see the Finnish forward in Tucson this year.