Chicago Blackhawks sign Czech defenceman Jan Rutta to one-year deal

Czech-Republic's-Jan-Rutta.-(Petr-David-Josek/AP)

Czech Republic's Jan Rutta. (Petr David Josek/AP)

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed free agent defenceman Jan Rutta to a one-year entry-level contract, the team announced Wendesday.

Rutta has spent his entire professional career with Pirati Chomutov of the Czech Extraliga.

He had eight goals and 32 points in 46 games this past season, and had one goal in eight games at the world championships.

“Jan has been on our radar for a number of years and he has shown great progress on the ice during that time,” said Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman in a release. “His addition to the organization makes our defence more dynamic and he has shown he can contribute offensively as well.”

The right-shot defenceman could be of quite some use to Chicago, which is in danger of losing Trevor van Riemsdyk to the NHL Expansion Draft.

The Edmonton Oilers were also reportedly interested in signing the 26-year-old Rutta.

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June 7, 2017

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Jan Rutta
SIGNED BY
Chicago Blackhawks
LENGTH
1 yr
CONTRACT TYPE
Entry-Level Deal
SALARY CAP HIT
N/A
TOTAL
N/A

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