Jan Rutta

Jan Rutta (born July 29, 1990) is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Originally an undrafted player, he won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. Rutta has also previously played for the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Jan Rutta
Born (1990-07-29) July 29, 1990 (age 33)
Písek, Czechoslovakia
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight204 lb (93 kg; 14 st 8 lb)
PositionDefence
ShootsRight
NHL team
Former teams
San Jose Sharks
Piráti Chomutov
Chicago Blackhawks
Tampa Bay Lightning
Pittsburgh Penguins
National team Czech Republic
NHL draftUndrafted
Playing career2008–present

Playing career

Rutta made his Czech Extraliga debut playing with Piráti Chomutov debut during the 2012–13 Czech Extraliga season.[1]

After seven seasons with Chomutov, Rutta left the Czech Republic in signing a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL on June 8, 2017.[2] After attending his first training camp with the Blackhawks, Rutta made the opening night roster for the 2017–18 season. On October 9, Rutta scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Frederik Andersen in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.[3] Rutta secured a blueline role within the Blackhawks during the season, and on March 8, 2018, was signed to a one-year $2.25 million extension.[4] With the Blackhawks missing the postseason, Rutta appeared in 57 games while adding offensively with six goals and 14 assists for 20 points.

In the following the 2018–19 season, with the Blackhawks continuing to struggle out of the gate, Rutta was placed on waivers after contributing with two goals and six points in 23 games on December 23, 2018.[5] After clearing he was assigned to AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. On January 11, 2019, Rutta was traded by the Blackhawks, along with a 2019 seventh-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Slater Koekkoek and a 2019 fifth-round pick. He was slated to continue in the AHL with the Lightning's affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.[6] On March 9, Rutta made his debut with the Lightning in a 3–2 win over the Detroit Red Wings at Amalie Arena.[7] He played out the tail end of the regular season with the League leading Lightning, posting 2 assists in 14 games. He maintained his place in the lineup through the playoffs, recording 2 assists in a four-game series sweep defeat to the Columbus Blue Jackets. On May 4, Rutta was re-signed to a one-year, $1.3 million contract extension to continue with the Lightning.[8]

During the 2020–21 season, on June 15, 2021, Rutta scored his first career NHL playoff goal in the Lightning's 4–2 win against the New York Islanders.[9]

Following four seasons within the Lightning organization, Rutta left as a free agent and was signed to a three-year, $8.25 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 13, 2022.[10]

After just one season in Pittsburgh, Rutta was traded to the San Jose Sharks on August 6, 2023, as part of a three-team package deal for Erik Karlsson.[11]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2008–09KLH ChomutovCzech.120000
2008–09SK KadaňCzech.120000
2008–09IHC PísekCzech.220000
2009–10SK KadaňCzech.118145090330
2009–10HC Klašterec nad OhřiCzech.23011050004
2010–11KLH ChomutovCzech.12400010
2011–12Piráti ChomutovCzech.14826816121456
2012–13Piráti ChomutovELH3713418
2012–13SK KadaňCzech.170330
2013–14Piráti ChomutovELH171234
2013–14SK KadaňCzech.1181348
2014–15Piráti ChomutovCzech.1501116272822571246
2015–16Piráti ChomutovELH441011212271238
2016–17Piráti ChomutovELH46824323017211138
2017–18Chicago BlackhawksNHL576142024
2018–19Chicago BlackhawksNHL2324612
2018–19Rockford IceHogsAHL81342
2018–19Syracuse CrunchAHL1835810
2018–19Tampa Bay LightningNHL14022440220
2019–20Tampa Bay LightningNHL3316714501112
2020–21Tampa Bay LightningNHL3508822232138
2021–22Tampa Bay LightningNHL7631518471714517
2022–23Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL5636930
2023–24San Jose SharksNHL695141938
ELH totals14420406074243131616
NHL totals36320698919149381137

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2008Czech RepublicU18-D111th50000
2017Czech RepublicWC7th81010
2019Czech RepublicWC4th101234
Junior totals50000
Senior totals182244

Awards and honors

AwardYearRef
NHL
Stanley Cup champion2020, 2021[12]

References

External links