Wire and Staff Reports
July 2, 2009 — PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed checking-line forward Mike Rupp to a $1.6 million, two-year contract, adding a physical presence to a team that didn’t have an enforcer on the ice during the playoffs.
Rupp, 29, who makes his offseason home in Cambridge Springs, essentially plays the same role as forward Eric Godard, who was deactivated for all of the Stanley Cup champions’ playoff games. The Penguins made no major signings Wednesday on the first day of NHL free agency.
Rupp said his agent had been fielding a couple calls from other teams. Rupp said he was “impressed with how (the Penguins) came at me right away.”
“I liked what they had to say. I really didn’t have any thoughts other than the Penguins when free agency opened (yesterday).”
Rupp played at Cleveland St. Edward while in high school and also had a three-year stint with the Erie Otters (1997-98 to 1999-2000). The Penguins’ closeness to the area did not factor in the decision, it was “just icing on the cake. I was more so looking at the direction of the organization.”
“(Pittsburgh is) an organization that has been built very well,” Rupp said. “Ultimately, I want to win another Cup. They are obviously a talented team with a lot of character guys. All the pieces are in place.”
Rupp began his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils in 2002-03. Rupp scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal that year as the Devils beat Anaheim in seven games. He played one more year in New Jersey before being traded to Phoenix, where he spent two seasons. After a stop in Columbus, Rupp returned to New Jersey for 2006-07, where he had spent the past three seasons.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Rupp will make $825,000 each season. He had three goals, six assists and 136 penalty minutes in 72 games for the New Jersey Devils last season.
Rupp was excited to be joining the Stanley Cup champion Penguins and their core of young stars that include Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
“It’s pretty awesome. Playing against (Crosby and Malkin), I have seen how special they are,” Rupp said. “But you probably don’t have any idea how really special they are until you get to see them every day.”
The Penguins also signed former Boston University defenseman Brian Strait to a three-year, entry-level contract.
