Blue Jackets hire Jarkko Ruutu to work with European prospects
The Columbus Blue Jackets have added former NHL agitator Jarkko Ruutu to their front office.
Ruutu was named European player development coach by general manager Jarmo Kekalainen last week.
“I absolutely want a person and a player like Jarkko around our young guys,” Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch. “This is a guy who worked his (butt) off and did everything he could to get to the league and stay there."
Ruutu spent parts of 11 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, and Anaheim Ducks, racking up 1,078 penalty minutes and 142 points in 652 games.
“His work ethic earned him everything he’s got," Kekalainen said. "There’s a great lesson there.”
The 39-year-old will advise the organization's European prospects overseas.
“There’s nothing like the adrenaline rush of playing a game, but my time with that is through now," Ruutu said. "I wanted a way to stay in the game, and I love working with younger players, so this feels right."
- With h/t to Pro Hockey Talk