Rajanen to retire from NHL Central Scouting

Greg Rajanen will retire as a full-time scout for NHL Central Scouting at the end of this scouting season after 10 years of service.

The 68-year-old spent the majority of his time evaluating players in the United States Hockey League and at United States high schools in the Midwest.
"It was kind of a dream job for me to be a full-time scout with Central Scouting," Rajanen said. "Traveling to evaluate prospects not only in the USHL and midwestern high schools, but the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and the Western Hockey League, was just special.
"I grew up watching a lot of players in those leagues when I was a kid, so it was quite a thrill for me."
His final scouting assignment will be attending the USA Hockey Select-17 Camp in Amherst, New York, from June 22-26.
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"Greg provided above and beyond service to the NHL and NHL clubs," Central Scouting director Dan Marr said. "He was recommended by former Central Scouting evaluator Jack Barzee and fulfilled his role and responsibilities for scouting coverage and networking in the USHL and midwestern high school leagues with the highest degree of professionalism.
"It is a big role to be filled."
A replacement will be named at a later date.

Rajanen was hired Sept. 1, 2012, following the retirement of Barzee, who had spent 23 years with Central Scouting in a similar role.
Prior to his role at Central Scouting, Rajanen was a part-time scout with the Calgary Flames for six years, serving as an amateur scout responsible for Minnesota high schools, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and the USHL. After playing college hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Wisconsin-Superior, he was a high school coach for 22 years in Minnesota with three schools and was an assistant coach at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
Rajanen said the best player he evaluated during his tenure with Central Scouting was Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid.
"The first time I saw McDavid with Erie (OHL), he was such a smart player, such high hockey IQ," he said. "He was involving all of his teammates in the game, and then in the third period of a close game he just took over. I think he had two goals, two assists in the third to help Erie win the game. You could just tell the leadership skills he had as a young player and how respectful he was of his teammates. It was special to watch him."
Rajanen said he's looking forward to spending more time with his wife of 42 years, Nancy, and their three grandchildren. Nancy is retiring from her jobs as a superintendent of schools in Minnesota and a teacher at the University of Minnesota the past 10 years.
"There are things we want to do with our grandkids," Rajanen said. "My wife and I have done a lot of travel, but we have some big trips planned to Israel and South Africa, once it opens up over in Europe. It's just time ... 34 years of teaching, and then another 10 with Central Scouting. It's time to kind of let some of the younger guys get in there and give them an opportunity.
"Things happen in life, so you want to make sure you get all your boxes checked with family and travel."
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