Rickard Rakell Bio
Rickard Lars Gunnar Roland Rakell is a Swedish professional ice hockey right winger who plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 5 May 1993 in Sollentuna, Sweden, Rakell has developed into a versatile forward known for his scoring touch, playmaking ability, and two-way responsibility. Over the course of his professional career, he has set multiple personal and franchise records with the Anaheim Ducks and now serves as a key contributor on the Pittsburgh roster.
Standing 185 centimeters tall and weighing 88 kilograms, Rakell combines size with skill and has represented Sweden at both the junior and senior international levels. He is most recognized for his time with the Ducks from 2013 to 2022, during which he helped the franchise qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs on several occasions, and for his senior international debut at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, where he helped Sweden capture gold.
Early Life and Background
Rakell was born on 5 May 1993 in Sollentuna, Sweden, to parents Roland and Annika. He grew up in Stockholm alongside his brother Robin and sister Rebecka, in a family with strong athletic roots. His grandfather, Åke Rakell, was a professional table tennis player, and the young Rakell followed in his footsteps by playing table tennis until he was 14 years old, when he committed his full focus to ice hockey.
Growing up in Stockholm, Rakell idolized Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mats Sundin and, later, Patric Hornqvist, both Swedish stars who helped shape his view of the professional game. He also played for AIK IF in Sweden’s junior ranks, developing in both the J18 Elit and J20 Elit. Rakell played a defensive role initially before switching to forward at age 14 to increase his offensive output. His cousin Mathias also played ice hockey in North America, adding a family connection to the sport he was pursuing.
Path to Hockey
After recording 25 points in the J18 Allsv and four points in the J20, Rakell was selected 41st overall by the Plymouth Whalers in the Ontario Hockey League’s 2010 Import Draft. The move to North America was encouraged in part by fellow Swede Gabriel Landeskog, who had already begun producing in the OHL and served as a major influence on Rakell’s decision to leave Sweden.
Rakell began his rookie OHL season with the Whalers in 2010–11 and immediately impressed, tallying 23 points through his first 25 games, a performance that earned him a place in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. He finished the season with 20 goals and 43 points in 49 games and was ranked 30th among OHL draft-eligible players. His strong play led to his selection in the first round, 30th overall, by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, launching his professional career path.
Rickard Rakell Career
Early Career (2013–2014)
After attending the Ducks’ 2013 training camp, Rakell was assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, to begin the 2013–14 season. He quickly became a leading scorer in Norfolk and earned multiple recalls to Anaheim. He made his season debut and tallied his first career NHL point, an assist, on 8 November 2013 against the Buffalo Sabres. By season’s end, he had finished the year with the Ducks, recording four assists through 18 NHL games while also placing among the Admirals’ top scorers.
Rakell made his postseason debut during the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs, replacing an injured Ryan Getzlaf on Anaheim’s top line. He scored his first career NHL goal on the power play in Game 5 against the Dallas Stars, becoming the first player in franchise history to score his first career goal in the playoffs. He also helped the Ducks set a franchise record for most playoff power play goals in a single game with four during that contest.
NHL Breakthrough (2014–2018)
Rakell became a full-time NHL player beginning in the 2014–15 season, battling William Karlsson for the fourth-line center role before eventually securing the third-line center position and seeing increased offensive responsibility. He recorded his first regular-season NHL goal on 23 December 2014 against the San Jose Sharks and tied a franchise record for most points by a rookie in a single game on 11 January 2015 with a four-point performance against the Winnipeg Jets. Anaheim qualified for the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, and Rakell tallied the game-winning overtime goal in Game 3 against the Jets.
By 2016–17, Rakell had emerged as one of Anaheim’s top scorers, finishing the regular season with a career-high 33 goals, including a league-leading 10 game-winning goals, and 51 points through 71 games. He became the fourth-youngest Duck to surpass 30 goals in a season and the first NHL player under the age of 24 with 10 game-winning goals since Steven Stamkos in 2011–12. The following season, he set new career highs in goals, assists, and points, led Anaheim in scoring, and was selected to the Pacific Division team for the 2018 NHL All-Star Game. He also recorded his first career NHL hat trick on 25 February 2018 against the Edmonton Oilers.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2022–Present)
On 21 March 2022, with Anaheim out of a playoff spot and Rakell set to become an unrestricted free agent, the Ducks traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a 2022 second-round pick, Dominik Simon, Zach Aston-Reese, and Calle Clang. He made his Penguins debut two days later in a 5–1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets and went on to record four goals and nine assists for 13 points through 19 regular-season games with Pittsburgh. During the 2022 playoffs against the New York Rangers, Rakell played one period of Game 1 before leaving with an injury, missed five games, and returned for Game 7.
During the 2022 offseason, Rakell signed a six-year, $30 million contract extension with the Penguins. He returned as a right winger on Pittsburgh’s top line alongside Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel and continued to be moved between lines as the season progressed. By the start of February 2023, he had accumulated 18 goals and 15 assists for 33 points through 49 games and earned praise from head coach Mike Sullivan for his skill and ability to create offense. He has remained a versatile contributor on the Penguins roster through the present day.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rakell is recognized for his combination of size, skill, and hockey sense, allowing him to play both wing and center at the NHL level. He excels at generating offense through creative playmaking, strong puck protection along the boards, and reliable two-way responsibility. His scoring touch has produced career-high goal totals, including a league-leading 10 game-winning goals in 2016–17, while his versatility has allowed coaches to deploy him in multiple roles and on multiple lines.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Rakell’s signature milestones, he became the first player in Anaheim Ducks history to score his first career goal in the playoffs in 2014 and helped the franchise set a record for most playoff power play goals in a single game that same postseason. He recorded his first NHL hat trick on 25 February 2018 against the Edmonton Oilers, joined the 500-game club in 2021, and was a member of Sweden’s gold-medal-winning squad at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
Rickard Rakell Career Wins
Rakell’s career highlights include major individual and team accomplishments at both the junior and professional levels. At the junior international level, he helped Sweden win a gold medal at the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and a silver medal at the 2013 edition. At the senior level, he helped Sweden capture gold at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, where he led the tournament with 14 points in 10 games and was named to the World Championship All-Star Team.
NHL Highlights
Rakell set multiple career highs during his time with the Anaheim Ducks, including 33 goals and 51 points in 2016–17 and career-best totals across the board in 2017–18 when he led the Ducks in scoring. He was selected to the Pacific Division team for the 2018 NHL All-Star Game and reached the 500-game milestone with Anaheim in October 2021. With Pittsburgh, he helped the Penguins qualify for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs after joining the team midseason.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his international medals, Rakell won multiple season awards and recognitions during his OHL career with the Plymouth Whalers, including recognition in the Western Conference Coaches Poll. He has continued to contribute offensively in Pittsburgh, providing consistent scoring and playmaking while helping the Penguins remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.
Rickard Rakell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Rakell was raised in Stockholm, Sweden, by his parents Roland and Annika alongside his brother Robin and sister Rebecka. His grandfather, Åke Rakell, was a professional table tennis player, and Rakell played the sport himself until age 14. His cousin Mathias also played ice hockey, including time with the New York Aviators in the United States Premier Hockey League, giving the family a strong athletic tradition.
Personal Life
During his time with the Anaheim Ducks, Rakell and his then-fiancee Emmeli created a charitable program called 67 Assists, which provided opportunities to train service dogs in live sporting event environments. Rakell and Emmeli had their first child during the 2022 offseason. After being traded to Pittsburgh, Rakell initially moved in with fellow Swede Marcus Pettersson until his wife could join him in the city.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 calendar year, Rakell remained a key contributor on the Pittsburgh Penguins roster, with a contract extension in place that runs through the 2027–28 season. On 4 February 2025, he was selected to replace William Karlsson on Team Sweden’s roster for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, reaffirming his status among the country’s top international players. His continued scoring touch and versatility have provided stability to a Pittsburgh lineup in transition.
Rakell’s role with the Penguins has continued to evolve, with coaches utilizing him in multiple line combinations and special teams situations. His combination of size, scoring, and playmaking makes him a reliable option in all situations, and his international selection underscores his sustained high level of play. He remains a central figure in Pittsburgh’s efforts to compete in the Eastern Conference.
Looking ahead through the remainder of the 2025 calendar year, Rakell is positioned to contribute meaningfully for both the Penguins and Sweden. With several seasons remaining on his contract and his consistent production, he is expected to remain a focal point of Pittsburgh’s offensive game plan and a dependable presence in the team’s leadership group.