Jan Rutta

Jan Rutta (born 29 July 1990) is a Czech professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for Genève-Servette HC of the National League (NL). Originally an undrafted player, he won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. Rutta has also previously played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks.

Playing career Rutta made his Czech Extraliga debut playing with Piráti Chomutov debut during the 2012–13 Czech Extraliga season.

After seven seasons with Chomutov, Rutta left the Czech Republic in signing a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL on 8 June 2017. After attending his first training camp with the Blackhawks, Rutta made the opening night roster for the 2017–18 season. On 9 October, Rutta scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Frederik Andersen in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Rutta secured a blueline role within the Blackhawks during the season, and on 8 March 2018, was signed to a one-year $2.25 million extension. With the Blackhawks missing the postseason, Rutta appeared in 57 games while adding offensively with six goals and 14 assists for 20 points.

In the following the 2018–19 season, with the Blackhawks continuing to struggle out of the gate, Rutta was placed on waivers after contributing with two goals and six points in 23 games on 23 December 2018. After clearing he was assigned to AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. On 11 January 2019, Rutta was traded by the Blackhawks, along with a 2019 seventh-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Slater Koekkoek and a 2019 fifth-round pick. He was slated to continue in the AHL with the Lightning's affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. On 9 March, Rutta made his debut with the Lightning in a 3–2 win over the Detroit Red Wings at Amalie Arena. He played out the tail end of the regular season with the League leading Lightning, posting 2 assists in 14 games. He maintained his place in the lineup through the playoffs, recording 2 assists in a four-game series sweep defeat to the Columbus Blue Jackets. On 4 May, Rutta was re-signed to a one-year, $1.3 million contract extension to continue with the Lightning.

During the 2020–21 season, on 15 June 2021, Rutta scored his first career NHL playoff goal in the Lightning's 4–2 win against the New York Islanders.

Following four seasons within the Lightning organization, Rutta left as a free agent and was signed to a three-year, $8.25 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on 13 July 2022.

After just one season in Pittsburgh, Rutta was traded to the San Jose Sharks on 6 August 2023, as part of a three-team package deal for Erik Karlsson.

Following eight NHL seasons, on 25 August 2025, Rutta left North America as a free agent and was signed to a two-year contract with Genève-Servette HC of the Swiss NL.

International play

Rutta represented Czechia at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and won a gold medal.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2008–09 KLH Chomutov Czech.1 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2008–09 SK Kadaň Czech.1 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2008–09 IHC Písek Czech.2 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2009–10 SK Kadaň Czech.1 18 1 4 5 0 9 0 3 3 0 2009–10 HC Klašterec nad Ohři Czech.2 3 0 1 1 0 5 0 0 0 4 2010–11 KLH Chomutov Czech.1 24 0 0 0 10 — — — — — 2011–12 Piráti Chomutov Czech.1 48 2 6 8 16 12 1 4 5 6 2012–13 Piráti Chomutov ELH 37 1 3 4 18 — — — — — 2012–13 SK Kadaň Czech.1 7 0 3 3 0 — — — — — 2013–14 Piráti Chomutov ELH 17 1 2 3 4 — — — — — 2013–14 SK Kadaň Czech.1 18 1 3 4 8 — — — — — 2014–15 Piráti Chomutov Czech.1 50 11 16 27 28 22 5 7 12 46 2015–16 Piráti Chomutov ELH 44 10 11 21 22 7 1 2 3 8 2016–17 Piráti Chomutov ELH 46 8 24 32 30 17 2 11 13 8 2017–18 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 57 6 14 20 24 — — — — — 2018–19 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 23 2 4 6 12 — — — — — 2018–19 Rockford IceHogs AHL 8 1 3 4 2 — — — — — 2018–19 Syracuse Crunch AHL 18 3 5 8 10 — — — — — 2018–19 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 14 0 2 2 4 4 0 2 2 0 2019–20 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 33 1 6 7 14 5 0 1 1 12 2020–21 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 35 0 8 8 22 23 2 1 3 8 2021–22 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 76 3 15 18 47 17 1 4 5 17 2022–23 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 56 3 6 9 30 — — — — — 2023–24 San Jose Sharks NHL 69 5 14 19 38 — — — — — 2024–25 San Jose Sharks NHL 54 3 6 9 28 — — — — — ELH totals 144 20 40 60 74 24 3 13 16 16 NHL totals 417 23 75 98 219 49 3 8 11 37

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2008 Czech Republic U18-D1 11th 5 0 0 0 0 2017 Czech Republic WC 7th 8 1 0 1 0 2019 Czech Republic WC 4th 10 1 2 3 4 2024 Czechia WC 9 1 0 1 8 2026 Czechia OG 8th 3 0 1 1 4 Junior totals 5 0 0 0 0 Senior totals 30 3 3 6 16

Awards and honors Award Year RefNHL Stanley Cup champion 2020, 2021