Lauri Korpikoski

Lauri Korpikoski (born July 28, 1986 in Turku, Finland) is a Finnish professional player currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

He was drafted in the first round, 19th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career
Korpikoski played for the TPS junior team in the SM-liiga before moving up to the main team for the 2004–05 season. He played 2 seasons there before joining the Hartford Wolf Pack after his 2005–06 season. He played 5 regular season games and 11 playoff games. In the 2006–07 AHL season, Korpikoski had 11 goals and 38 points for the Wolf Pack. In the 2007–08 AHL season, his second year with the Wolf Pack, he bested his previous year's totals, scoring 23 goals and having 50 points. He also had 2 points in 5 playoff games. Following the Wolf Pack's quick exit from the AHL Playoffs, Korpikoski was named to the Rangers "taxi squad." He dressed for game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, on May 4, 2008. 2:03 into the third period, Lauri scored his first NHL goal on his second NHL shot. The goal brought the Rangers to within one goal of tying (which they did) but they eventually lost in overtime. The loss eliminated the team from the playoffs.

After scoring points in every preseason game in which he played, Korpikoski survived cuts to make the Rangers' 23-man roster for the start of the 2008–09 season. He was the only Rangers rookie to make the team.

He scored his first regular season goal against Kevin Weekes of the New Jersey Devils on November 12th, 2008.