Career
Despite limited National Hockey League experience, Rita has played extensively in the American Hockey League and in the Master of Science-liiga in his native Finland. Rita started his hockeycareer in a youth team of EKS (Espoon Kiekkoseura). He played his first seasons of pro hockey for Jokerit, Helsinki, and was drafted 13th overall in the 1999 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers.
Rita played for HPK in the Master of Science-liiga during the 2004-2005 National Hockey League lockout, winning the bronze medal.
That season he was awarded the Raimo Kilpiö trophy, and led the league in scoring during the playoffs. He also represented Finland at the 2005 World Hockey Championship, earning one assistant
He had signed with Jokerit for the 2005-2006 season with a contractual clause enabling him to return to the National Hockey League. When the Oilers offered him a one-year contract in August 2005, Rita signed on to return to North America. Although once considered a premier prospect at the National Hockey League level, Rita"s slow development showed cause for concern to Oilers management.
On January 26, 2006, Rita was traded along with Cory Cross, to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Dick Tärnström.
He finished the season with just 10 points in 51 games. lieutenant was announced on 2 May 2006 that Rita was to depart Pittsburgh to return to his original club, Jokerit on a one-year contract. He was the best goal scorer of Master of Science-liiga in 2006-2007 season.