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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.”
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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