For the second time in just over a week, the Winnipeg Jets are seeing one of their players leave for Europe. First, it was forward Axel Jonsson-Fjällby signing in Sweden. Now, fellow forward Rasmus Kupari is headed overseas as well, joining HC Lugano in Switzerland’s National League on a two-year contract.

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The 25-year-old Kupari, a native of Kotka, Finland, was acquired by the Jets in the blockbuster Pierre-Luc Dubois trade with the Los Angeles Kings. He spent parts of two seasons in Winnipeg, playing a depth role as a bottom-six forward.

“I think Lugano is the ideal place to take the next step in my career,” Kupari said in a translated statement released by the Swiss club. “I want to be a leader on and off the ice and bring my game to the entire rink, both defensively and offensively. I think my most important skill is skating.”

Kupari began the 2024–25 NHL season as the Jets’ fourth-line centre. However, he missed significant time after suffering a concussion early in the year. He was unable to reclaim a regular spot in the lineup and did not appear in any games during Winnipeg’s Stanley Cup Playoff run. In 59 regular season games, Kupari scored five goals and added three assists for a total of eight points. During the 2023–24 season, his first with the Jets, he was held without a goal through 28 contests.

Despite limited offensive production, HC Lugano believes Kupari still has untapped potential.

“He is a first-round forward, a good skater with important qualities in every area of the rink,” said general manager Janick Steinmann. “In North America, he was often assigned more defensive roles, but with us, he will be able to assert his skills as a two-way player. I’m convinced he’ll have a strong impact on the offensive phase.”

Kupari was set to become a restricted free agent this summer. The Jets can retain his NHL rights by extending a qualifying offer.