Christian Ruuttu

Christian Ruuttu
Born 20 February 1964 (1964-02-20) (age 48)
Lappeenranta, FIN
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight 201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Ässät
HIFK
Buffalo Sabres
Chicago Blackhawks
Vancouver Canucks
Frölunda HC
Grasshopper
Espoo Blues
National team  Finland
NHL Draft 134th overall, 1983
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 1982–1999

Christian Ruuttu (born 20 February 1964 in Lappeenranta, Finland) is a former professional ice hockey player.

Ruuttu is the father of Alexander Ruuttu, who was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes.

Playing career

Christian Ruuttu was originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, 7th round, 134th overall. He played six seasons in Buffalo from 1986–87 through 1991–92, attaining career highs in goals (26 in 1987–88), assists (46 in 1988–89), and points (71 in 1987–88). In Ruuttu's last season in Buffalo, his totals dropped to 4 goals and 21 assists.

Ruuttu began the 1992–93 season playing for the Chicago Blackhawks after being traded for goaltender Stephane Beauregard. He played there for the next two and one-half seasons before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks mid-way through the 1994–95 season. After playing 25 games as a Canuck, he was unofficially traded to the Winnipeg Jets. He subsequently retired from the NHL due to not wanting to play for the Jets. Instead, he headed to Europe to play. He is currently the head European scout for the Phoenix Coyotes.

NHL statistics

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1986–87 Buffalo Sabres NHL 76 22 43 65 62
1987–88 Buffalo Sabres NHL 73 26 45 71 85 6 2 5 7 4
1988–89 Buffalo Sabres NHL 67 14 46 60 98 2 0 0 0 2
1989–90 Buffalo Sabres NHL 75 19 41 60 66 6 0 0 0 4
1990–91 Buffalo Sabres NHL 77 16 34 50 96 6 1 3 4 29
1991–92 Buffalo Sabres NHL 70 4 21 25 76 3 0 0 0 6
1992–93 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 84 17 37 54 134 4 0 0 0 2
1993–94 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 54 9 20 29 68 6 0 0 0 2
1994–95 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 20 2 5 7 6
1994–95 Vancouver Canucks NHL 25 5 6 11 23 9 1 1 2 0
NHL totals 621 134 298 432 714 42 4 9 13 49

External links

Preceded by
Terho Koskela
Frölunda HC captains
1995–1996
Succeeded by
Henrik Nilsson