Ari Ahonen (born February 6, 1981) is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was drafted in the first round, 27th overall, by the New Jersey Devils in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
After playing three seasons in Finland's SM-liiga, representing JYP and HIFK, Ahonen joined the Devils' American Hockey League affiliate, the Albany River Rats. After five seasons with the River Rats, Ahonen returned to Finland in 2006 to represent Blues, but when he found himself serving as backup to Bernd Brückler, Ahonen signed with Jokerit when no less than three of their goaltenders were injured. With Jokerit Ahonen have won silver medals in 2007. During 2011-12 season Ahonen signed a 2-year deal with Metallurg Magnitogorsk.
Ahonen is the only goaltender in SM-liiga history to have represented all three teams in the greater Helsinki area: HIFK, Jokerit and Blues.
Ahonen joined KHL team Barys Astana for 2013-14 season.
Career statistics
Regular season
| |
|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% |
|---|
| 1998–99 | JYP | SM-l | 5 | | | | | | | | |
| 1999–00 | HIFK | SM-l | 38 | | | | | | | | |
| 2000–01 | HIFK | SM-l | 37 | 18 | 13 | 4 | 2101 | 97 | 2 | 2.77 | 0.000 |
| 2001–02 | Albany River Rats | AHL | 36 | 6 | 22 | 6 | 2106 | 106 | 0 | 3.02 | 0.914 |
| 2002–03 | Albany River Rats | AHL | 38 | 13 | 20 | 3 | 2071 | 110 | 1 | 3.04 | 0.898 |
| 2003–04 | Albany River Rats | AHL | 50 | 13 | 30 | 6 | 3012 | 150 | 2 | 2.99 | 0.902 |
| 2004–05 | Albany River Rats | AHL | 38 | 16 | 20 | 1 | 2195 | 114 | 4 | 3.12 | 0.910 |
| 2005–06 | Albany River Rats | AHL | 16 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 949 | 63 | 0 | 3.98 | 0.892 |
| 2006–07 | Espoo Blues | SM-l | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 308.17 | 13 | 0 | 2.53 | 0.921 |
| 2006–07 | Jokerit | SM-l | 19 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 1152.17 | 51 | 1 | 2.56 | |
| 2007–08 | Frölunda HC | SHL | 47 | 20 | 18 | 9 | 2737:27 | 116 | 4 | 2.47 | 0.896 |
| 2008–09 | Frölunda HC | SEL | 14 | | | | 503 | 24 | 1 | 2.86 | 0.885 |
| 2009–10 | KalPa | SM-l | 43 | 21 | 10 | 9 | 2479:04 | 94 | 6 | 2.28 | 0.903 |
| 2010–11 | KalPa | SM-l | 51 | 23 | 15 | 11 | 2986 | 106 | 5 | 2.13 | 0.916 |
| 2011–12 | KalPa | SM-l | 18 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 1092:09 | 27 | 2 | 1.48 | 0.945 |
| 2011–12 | Metallurg Magnitogorsk | KHL | 17 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 1018:06 | 33 | 2 | 1.94 | 0.934 |
Awards and honours
| Award | Year |
|---|
| IIHF World U18 Championships All-Star Team | 1999 |
Aquarius