Although he’s now committed to Lugano for the foreseeable future, things haven’t been easy for Kupari. In his first season with the team, a concussion limited him to just seven regular-season games, where he recorded one goal and one assist. He also appeared in four playoff games, tallying one goal and two assists.
“Rasmus has had a very tough season behind him. His injury lasted longer than hoped, and he did everything possible to return as soon as he could,” said Lugano general manager Janick Steinmann in a statement. “When he got back on the ice, he showed his speed and skills, and in the playoffs he was one of our top forwards. I have a lot of faith in him, and I believe that in the coming seasons we can see his very best version.”
The 26-year-old was selected 20th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft.
In 87 games across two seasons with Winnipeg, Kupari recorded five goals and four assists for nine points while adding 20 penalty minutes.
Kupari was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to Los Angeles in exchange for Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Kupari, and a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The Jets later used that pick to select defenceman prospect Alfons Freij.
PRESENTED BY PRAIRIE TOYOTA DEALERS
The Toyota Tacoma is the ultimate power play. Its standard i-FORCE engine delivers more power than ever and a towing capacity of up to 6,400 lbs. It helps you take on challenging landscapes with confidence with its available Panoramic Multi-Terrain View Monitor that provides a live, underfloor view of the terrain you’re tackling. It even makes loading and unloading gear effortless with its available Power Liftgate. Whether it’s for early morning practice or weekend away games, the Tacoma is a teammate you can rely on. Visit your local Prairie Toyota dealer during Red Tag Days for limited-time offers.