Former IceHogs Defenseman Jan Rutta Becomes 26th Alumni to Capture Stanley Cup

ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Rockford IceHogs, proud American Hockey League affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League, wish to congratulate former IceHogs defenseman Jan Rutta on capturing the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight. Rutta becomes the 26th member of the IceHogs to hoist the Cup.

Rutta, 30, is the first IceHogs alum to earn hockey’s ultimate prize since Bryan Bickell, Corey Crawford, Kyle Cumiskey, Scott Darling, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Marcus Kruger, Joakim Nordstrom, Brandon Saad, Andrew Shaw, Teuvo Teravainen, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Kris Versteeg captured the Cup with the Blackhawks in 2015.

The Pisek, Czech Republic, native is also the second IceHogs alumni to win the Cup with the Lightning after Jassen Cullimore was a member of the organization’s first-ever title in 2004.

With the IceHogs, Rutta appeared in eight games during the 2018-19 campaign, adding a goal and three assists for four points before being acquired by Tampa Bay on Jan. 11. In 80 games with the Chicago Blackhawks (2017-19), the 6-foot-3, 204-pound defenseman added 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists).

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Rutta appeared in one contest with the Lightning during round-robin play vs. Boston on Aug. 5 and dressed in Game 2-5 in the Stanley Cup Final vs. Dallas, and picked up an assist in Game 3 on Steven Stamkos’ thrilling first-period goal in a 5-2 win.