IceHogs Alums Rutta, Danault and Gustafsson Collide in 2021 Stanley Cup Final

ROCKFORD, Ill. – The 2021 Stanely Cup Final is set as the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning collide against the Montreal Canadiens and both clubs feature Rockford IceHogs alumni!

Former IceHogs defenseman Jan Rutta and the Tampa Bay Lightning look to repeat their championship success from a season ago against former IceHogs Phillip Danault, Erik Gustafsson, and the Montreal Canadiens.

2021 Stanley Cup Final Schedule (all times ET)

Game 1: Mon., June 28, 8 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning, NBCSN, SN, CBC, TVAS

Game 2: Wed., June 30, 8 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning, NBCSN, SN, CBC, TVAS

Game 3: Fri., July 2, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens. NBC, SN, CBC, TVAS

Game 4: Mon., July 5, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens, NBC, SN, CBC, TVAS

Game 5: Wed., July 7, 8 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning, NBC, SN, CBC, TVAS*

Game 6: Fri., July 9, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens, NBC, SN, CBC, TVAS*

Game 7: Sun., July 11, 7 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning, NBC, SN, CBC, TVAS*

* -- If necessary

Tampa Bay Lightning
Rutta appeared in eight games with the IceHogs during the 2018-19 campaign, adding a goal and three assists for four points before being acquired by Tampa Bay in January of that season. He has appeared in 18 Stanley Cup Playoff games this season, adding a goal in Game 2 vs. New York Islanders on Jun. 15 in their semifinals series, and posted eight assists in 35 regular-season contests for the Lightning.

Montreal Canadiens
It has been a few campaigns since the IceHogs have seen Danault in the black and red, having skated with the team from 2011-16 adding 70 points (20 goals, 50 assists) in 160 games. He has spent the last six seasons with Montreal after 32 games with Chicago from 2014-16 and placed sixth on the team this year with 24 points (five goals, 19 assists).

He currently has three assists in 17 Stanley Cup Playoff games this year and setup the game-winning goal in Game 7 vs. Vegas to send the Canadiens to the Final for the first time since 1993.

Gustafsson picked up 58 points (11 goals, 47 assists) in 120 games along the IceHogs blueline from 2015-18. He began this season with Philadelphia (24 games, nine assists and 10 points) and joined the Canadiens at the NHL Trade Deadline on Apr. 12. He has three points (one goal, two assists) in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff Games.