Robert Rooba
An Estonian ice hockey trailblazer, carrying his nation's flag as a skilled power forward in Europe's top professional leagues.
Born 1993 (age 33)·Estonian ice hockey player·Birthday: September 2·Millennials
Biography
Robert Rooba stands as a standard-bearer for Estonian hockey, a nation not known for producing NHL talent. The tall, lanky winger from Tallinn took a road less traveled, bypassing the major junior routes of Canada to develop in Finnish junior leagues. His professional career has been a steady climb through the ranks of European hockey, becoming a fixture in Finland's Liiga, one of the continent's top competitions. Rooba is not a flashy scorer but a reliable, hard-working presence on the wing, using his size effectively along the boards and in front of the net. His consistency made him a core player for teams like JYP Jyväskylä and KooKoo. Internationally, he has been the focal point of the Estonian national team for over a decade, often serving as captain and leading them in scoring at World Championship tournaments. In a sport dominated by a few powerhouse nations, Rooba's career is a testament to the global reach of hockey and the pride of representing a smaller country on the ice.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Robert was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Robert Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Robert's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Has served as captain of the Estonian national ice hockey team in multiple World Championship tournaments.
- Played over 400 games in the Finnish Liiga, one of Europe's premier professional leagues.
- Led the Estonian national team in scoring at several IIHF World Championship Division I tournaments.
- Won a bronze medal in the Liiga with JYP Jyväskylä during the 2017-18 season.
Did You Know?
His father, Riho Rooba, was also a professional ice hockey player and represented Estonia internationally.
He played college hockey in the United States for one season with the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves.
He speaks Estonian, Finnish, and English fluently.
He has played for only two Liiga clubs: JYP Jyväskylä and KooKoo.
“Every shift is a chance to put Estonia on the map.”
