HELSINKI, FINLAND – SM-Liiga team, Jokerit have secured the services of Finnish NHL star Jarkko Ruutu. The contract length is reportedly three years. Ruutu has become known to the hockey world as a pest in the NHL, though he is a highly skilled two way player. Ruutu split last season between the Ottawa Senators and Anaheim Ducks. Jokerit General Manager, Jarmo Kekalainen said, “Jarkko will add a lot of leadership to our roster. He is a fantastic two way player who can play against the top lines night in night out,” and added. “Ruutu is an exceptional professional player, whose experience will be invaluable to our younger players.” During the last NHL season, Ruutu, 36, played 73 games scoring three goals and assisting nine. He has played in the NHL since 1999-2000 and has played for Vancouver Cannucks, Pitsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators and Anaheim Ducks. In 652 NHL career games, Ruutu has scored 58 goals and 142 points. Ruutu’s last stint in the SM-Liiga was six years ago, when he represented the Helsinki rivals HIFK. Ruutu was part of the HIFK roster that won the SM-Liiga championship in 1998. During his career, Ruutu has also been a core member of the Finnish national team, having won Olympic Silver and Bronze and three Silver- and one Bronze medal at the World Championship stage. He was also part of the Finnish roster that finished second in the 2004 World Cup. Ruutu will be joining Jokerit with immediate effect and will be wearing the number 25, a number he wore in HIFK as opposed to the number 37, he wore for the majority of his NHL career. KHL Connection:
Ruutu was connected to many KHL teams and did receive sizeable offers from teams in the league. “I had a few lucrative offer on the table. If money was my main motive, I would’ve received ten times more money from the KHL,” Ruutu said. Rumours around Ruutu’s Jokerit contract include a promise about a front office job at the Jokerit organisation. Ruutu himself was quick to dismiss this rumour though, “I’ve come here to play hockey. There have not been any discussions about what I am going to do once my playing career is over.” Jarkko Ruutu can be followed on Twitter via: @jarkkoruutu Contact the author: janne.virtanen@prohockeynews.com
Twitter: @amateur_hockey
You must be logged in to post a comment.