The fastest guy on the Jets last season is taking his need for speed to Switzerland to play for HC Lugano for the next two seasons as the Swiss club put out this morning that they’ve signed Winnipeg RFA Rasmus Kupari to a contract.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
It’s an interesting decision for the 25 year old who was part of the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade that the Jets made with the Kings. He spent the last two years in Winnipeg but has dealt with injury both seasons. During the 2024-25 campaign he played in 59 games for the Jets picking up five goals and three assists but a concussion and relapse essentially knocked him out for the end of the season and he didn’t get into any playoff games.
Comments from the Lugano GM and Kupari himself via the news release put out by the Swiss club:
Janick Steinmann, General Manager of Hockey Club Lugano, commented on Kupari’s signing:
“Rasmus has played his last five seasons in the NHL/AHL. He’s a first-round draft pick and a strong skater with overall skills. In North America, he was often assigned more defensive roles, but here in Lugano, he’ll have the opportunity to showcase his two-way game. I’m confident that his skills will fit very well with the National League and that he’ll have a significant offensive impact as well. I’m extremely happy to welcome him to Lugano and to see his full potential”.
These are Rasmus Kupari‘s first words as a Lugano player:
“I will try take next step on my career and I think Lugano is the best place to do it. I will try to be leader on and off the ice. I’m going to bring my 60 meter game for the offensive and defensive game. My biggest strength as a player is definitely my skating”.
The Jets will retain his NHL rights provided they qualify him, which you’d think they’d do to retain the asset.
