Career
He was drafted in the fourth round, 106th overall, by the Ducks at the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Anaheim Ducks
Vatanen was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round of the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He broke a record for most points by a rookie defenseman in both the Finnish Master of Science-liiga regular season and playoffs.
Vatanen made his National Hockey League debut with Anaheim in the lockout-shortened 2012-2013 National Hockey League season on February 1, 2013.
Vatanen was also selected to the AHL First All-Star Team, as well as the AHL All-Rookie Team, during the 2012-2013 AHL season, despite playing in just 62 games of the 76-game season. On July 22, 2014, the Ducks re-signed Vatanen to a two-year, $2.525 million contract extension.
He scored 12 goals to go with 25 assists for the Ducks during the 2014-2015 National Hockey League season, his first full National Hockey League season. International
In 2010, Vatanen represented Finland internationally at the junior level (2010 World Junior Championships held in Saskatchewan, Canada) and at the senior level (2010 World Championships held in Germany).
At the end of the 2009-2010 season, Vatanen also became the highest-drafted Finnish player in Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) history when he was selected second overall in the 2010 KHL Junior Draft by Metallurg Novokuznetsk.