Finnish Olympian Annina Rajahuhta signs with Kunlun Red Star

Finnish Olympian and Blues Espoo Naiset forward Annina Rajahuhta has signed with Kunlun Red Star in the CWHL, the Blues announced today.

Rajahuhta, 28, previously spent one year in the CWHL, playing eight games with the now-defunct Burlington Barracudas during the 2011-12 season. She's currently en route from Finland to Toronto, where she'll join both her new team and fellow Naisleijonat, KRS goaltender Noora Räty. In addition to Rajahuhta and Räty on the roster, the team staff features assistant coach Saara Niemi and goaltending coach Santeri Matikainen, bringing the club's Finnish contingent up to four.

Rajahuhta is a staple on Team Finland with two Olympic appearances and multiple World Championship nods under her belt. She was part of the bronze medal-winning team at Vancouver in 2010 and won bronze at Worlds the following year. A six-time Finnish league champion with the dynastic Blues, Rajahuhta is also a four-time Naisten Liiga (formerly SM-Sarja) All-Star, most recently last season with Espoo United.

Rajahuhta scored eight goals and four assists for 12 points in her eight games with Blues Espoo this season.