Urho Vaakanainen Stats & Bio | Rangers Defenseman

About Urho Vaakanainen

Urho Vaakanainen brings steady defensive presence to the New York Rangers, wearing jersey number 18 as a reliable blueliner on their backend. Born on January 1, 1999, in Joensuu, Finland, Vaakanainen developed his game through Finnish hockey culture before making his way to North America's highest level. Standing 6'2" and weighing 196 pounds, he possesses the ideal frame for an NHL defenseman, combining size with mobile, composed play in his own zone. The Finnish-born rearguard has contributed two assists over his recent six-game stretch, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively while maintaining defensive responsibility. Vaakanainen's journey from Finland to the NHL represents both personal determination and the continued strength of European hockey development, and he continues to grow as a professional with the Rangers organization.

Updated: Mar 22, 2026