Hockey Club Lugano has finalized the signing of Finnish right-handed center-winger Rasmus Kupari, who has agreed to a contract valid for the next two seasons (2025–2027). Kupari was born on March 15, 2000, in Kotka, southern Finland.
As a teenager, he moved north to join the renowned Kärpät Oulu organization, where he quickly rose to prominence with Finland’s junior national teams. He competed in two U18 and three U20 World Championships, earning two gold medals and one silver. At just 17 years old, he played a role in helping Kärpät Oulu win the Finnish Liiga championship at the end of the 2017/2018 season.
His standout performances caught the attention of North American scouts, culminating in his selection as the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings.
After a 38-point season in Finland’s top league with Kärpät Oulu, Kupari made the move to North America for the 2019/2020 season. He has since worn the jerseys of the Los Angeles Kings, where he was a teammate of Kevin Fiala and the Winnipeg Jets, where he played with Nino Niederreiter. In total, Kupari has appeared in 228 NHL games, recording 14 goals and 24 assists, while also playing 87 games in the AHL with the Ontario Reign and Manitoba Moose, posting 24 goals and 24 assists.
Janick Steinmann, General Manager of Hockey Club Lugano, commented on Kupari’s signing:
“Rasmus has played his last five seasons in the NHL/AHL. He’s a first-round draft pick and a strong skater with overall skills. In North America, he was often assigned more defensive roles, but here in Lugano, he’ll have the opportunity to showcase his two-way game. I’m confident that his skills will fit very well with the National League and that he’ll have a significant offensive impact as well. I’m extremely happy to welcome him to Lugano and to see his full potential”.
These are Rasmus Kupari's first words as a Lugano player:
“I will try take next step on my career and I think Lugano is the best place to do it. I will try to be leader on and off the ice. I’m going to bring my 60 meter game for the offensive and defensive game. My biggest strength as a player is definitely my skating”.
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