IS: Antti Raanta opened up about his gloomy return to Liiga: "It started to bother me in a different way"

Goalkeeper Antti Raanta, 37, made a return to the Liiga after a 12-year break and to his youth club Lukko after a 14-year break last season. The veteran goalie played 11 seasons in the NHL and one season in Switzerland before coming back home.

Raanta returned to Lukko with high expectations, but the season was challenging for him. He played a total of 29 games during the season with a save percentage of 88.8. Additionally, Raanta, who has suffered from numerous injuries throughout his career, had to deal with injury concerns again last season. The first injury occurred in the third game of the season in Helsinki.

– There were a few old issues, but then again a certain new injury came early in the season and worsened towards the end, Raanta tells Ilta-Sanomat.

Due to his first injury, Raanta was sidelined for about three weeks before returning to action.

– Until the turn of the year, maybe even a bit after that, I started to feel like this was working again. I managed to work on my own stuff with the coaches, and it was a pleasure to play again. After that, injuries started to darken the season, Raanta says.

At the end of January, Raanta was injured again and was out for almost a month. After his return, he played only two games for the rest of the season.

– I tried my best to get back into shape, but time ran out. The last month of the season was quite a battle both physically and mentally. When you come back to your hometown to play, you want to be the one who plays the last game of the season. So when you can’t do that, it definitely leaves a bitter feeling, Raanta shares.

Raanta watched the playoffs from the sidelines as Lukko was eliminated in the opening round against HPK.

– We tried everything, but I couldn’t get fit. There were only five or six games left in the regular season. All the games were quite important, so there wasn’t time to look for a rhythm, Raanta reflects.

Raanta mentioned that failing in his beloved club felt particularly bad.

– Lukko is such a big deal in Rauma, so it started to feel disappointing for the fans too when you go there and can’t give it your all. It’s a bit of a tricky situation. It started to weigh on me differently when I couldn’t play at the level I wanted.

– Then when goals start going in from all directions, it certainly is frustrating. You feel like you’re not worthy of that trust. It’s a tough situation, Raanta states.

Now Raanta states that he has had a good summer and has overcome his injuries. In the upcoming season, he will compete for playing time at Lukko with young Daniel Salonen.

Raanta’s contract with Lukko runs until next spring.