Latest news with #HCLugano
Global News
3 days ago
- Business
- Global News
Rasmus Kupari leaves Winnipeg Jets for Switzerland
For the second time in just over a week, a member of the Winnipeg Jets organization has left the club to play in Europe. Forward Axel Jonsson-Fjällby recently signed in Sweden, and now Rasmus Kupari is also headed back overseas. HC Lugano of Switzerland's National League announced they've signed Kupari to a two-year contract. The 25-year-old product of Finland spent parts of two seasons with the Jets after being acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade. 'I think Lugano is the ideal place to take the next step in my career,' Kupari said in a translated statement. 'I want to be a leader on and off the ice and bring my game to the entire rink, both defensively and offensively. I think my most important skill is skating.' Story continues below advertisement Kupari started last season as the Jets fourth line centre, but he lost his place in the lineup after suffering a concussion and didn't play at all in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In 59 games this past season, he scored five goals with three assists. He was held without a goal in 28 contests in his first season with Winnipeg. 'He is a first-round forward, a good skater with important qualities in every area of the rink,' said HC Lugano general manager Janick Steinmann in a translated statement. 'In North America he has often been assigned more defensive roles, but with us he will be able to assert his skills as a two-way player. 'I am convinced that his qualities adapt very well to the National League and he will also have a strong impact on the offensive phase. I am extremely happy to have him with us in Lugano and to be able to observe all his potential.' Kupari was set to become a restricted free agent next month and the Jets can retain his NHL rights by making him a qualifying offer this summer.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Former First-Rounder Rasmus Kupari Signs In Switzerland
Finnish forward Rasmus Kupari, 25, has signed a two-year contract with HC Lugano, the National League club announced on Tuesday. 'I think Lugano is the ideal place to take the next step in my career,' Kupari is quoted. 'I want to be a leader on and off the ice and bring my game to the entire rink, both defensively and offensively. I think my most important skill is skating.' Advertisement 'Rasmus has played his last five seasons in the NHL and AHL,' said Lugano GM Janick Steinmann. 'He's a first-line forward, a good skater with important qualities in every area of the rink. In North America, he has often been assigned more defensive roles, but with us he will be able to assert his skills as a two-ways player. I am convinced that his qualities adapt very well to the National League and he will also have a strong impact offensively. I am extremely happy to have him with us in Lugano and to be able to observe all his potential.' Kupari hails from Kotka, Finland, and turned pro with the Kärpät club in Oulu at age 17. He recorded 52 points in 104 Liiga regular-season and playoff games. Kupari was picked 20th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Despite this, he never played more than 66 NHL games in a season or recorded more than 15 points. Between 2020 and 2025, Kupari played in 217 regular-season games, scoring 14 goals and adding 24 assists for 38 points with 52 penalty minutes for the Kings and Winnipeg Jets. He also played 11 playoff games for Los Angeles, where he was held without a point. Internationally, Kupari played in three IIHF World Junior Championships, playing a large part in Finland's gold-medal win in 2019 with five points in seven games and scoring the winning goal in the final, but getting injured in the first game of the 2020 tournament. Advertisement Kupari joins a Lugano team that is trying to rebuild its roster after missing the playoffs last season. Photo © Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images Lugano Dismisses Coach Krupp And Several Noteworthy Players Lugano Dismisses Coach Krupp And Several Noteworthy Players Just days after the team saved its position in Switzerland's National League by defeating HC Ajoie in a playout series, HC Lugano parted ways with head coach Uwe Krupp and several notable players, including goaltender Adam Húska, defenseman Valtteri Pulli, and forwards Mark Arcobello, Daniel Carr, Radim Zohorna and Aleksi Peltonen.
