UFA Jan Rutta Makes Decision on New Team

Monday, August 25, 2025 , ,

Jan Rutta has left the NHL for the Swiss National League

After a summer of inactivity on the free agent market, veteran defenseman Jan Rutta has officially made a decision to leave North America and head overseas to Switzerland to continue his career.   

Rutta, 35, has signed a two-year deal with Genève-Servette HC of the Swiss National League, after an injury-riddled season with the San Jose Sharks in which he managed to play in just 54 games.

The 6'3" right-shot d-man was undrafted, and began his NHL career in 2017 with the Chicago Blackhawks after beginning his hockey journey in his Czech homeland for four seasons. He was dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019, where he contributed his solid work in the defensive zone, helping the Bolts to back-to-back Stanley Cups. In the 2021-22 season, he played in 76 games for Tampa, contributing a plus/minus of +25 in 16:23 time on ice per night. 

He now teams up with other former NHLers Jesse Puljujarvi and Jimmy Vesey, who have also joined Genève-Servette this summer. 

In 417 NHL games, Rutta compiled 23 goals and 75 assists for 98 points, along with 479 blocked shots and 370 hits. 

Photo: © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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