Utah Hockey Club signs Stanley Cup champ Robert Bortuzzo
Photo credit: HTR
The Utah Hockey Club, the NHL's latest expansion franchise, has made a significant move by signing veteran defenseman Robert Bortuzzo.
The former Stanley Cup champion has inked a one-year deal with the team, bringing a wealth of experience to the new roster.
Bortuzzo, known for his robust defensive play, last played for the New York Islanders, where he was brought in during a critical December trade to strengthen a depleted defense. His journey to Utah marks a new chapter in his career after a brief stint with the Islanders, where injuries limited him to just 23 games.
Despite his short time in New York, Bortuzzo made a lasting impression.
"I truly enjoyed my experience here. I would love to come back," Bortuzzo said. "Nothing's been talked about or anything, but I truly just enjoy the people, organizationally and in the locker room. It was a tough season at some points, having been injured for three months. To still enjoy it -- one of the harder things having to deal with as a player is being injured -- but to still enjoy the season, I would be happy to come back."
Bortuzzo's signing comes after a period of uncertainty in his career. At 35, he still harbors the desire to compete at a high level, and his addition to the Utah team is seen as a strategic move to add depth and veteran presence to a new team looking to make an impact in its inaugural season.
His experience, including a Stanley Cup victory with the St. Louis Blues in 2018, is expected to be invaluable for the Utah Hockey Club as they navigate the challenges of building a competitive team from scratch. The Islanders' decision not to retain Bortuzzo was influenced by their roster's depth, particularly with Sebastian Aho, Mike Reilly, and Scott Mayfield already filling key defensive roles.
Interestingly, the Utah Hockey Club will face off against Bortuzzo's former team, the Islanders, in their season opener on October 10th at UBS Arena. This matchup is sure to add an extra layer of intrigue as Bortuzzo returns to New York, this time in a different uniform.
The Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Robert Bortuzzo in the third round of the 2007 NHL Draft, where he went on to help Kitchener win the OHL championship.
Bortuzzo turned pro with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2009-10, leading the defensemen with a plus-13 rating and contributing to the team's top-ranked defense in the AHL.
He made his NHL debut with the Penguins in 2011, scoring his first NHL goal in 2013 and establishing himself as a regular by 2013-14, with 10 assists and 137 hits in 54 games. Bortuzzo also made his playoff debut with Pittsburgh in 2014 before being traded to the St. Louis Blues in 2015, where he would go on to win a Stanley Cup in 2018.
This signing marks a pivotal moment for the Utah Hockey Club as they continue to build their team and identity within the NHL. Bortuzzo's experience and leadership will be crucial as the team aims to establish itself in the league.
Source:
Scottie Upshall on X
Scottie Upshall on X
Source: NHL.com
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Robert Bortuzzo Stats}»
| POLL | ||
31 AOUT | 51 ANSWERS Utah Hockey Club signs Stanley Cup champ Robert Bortuzzo Do you think Robert Bortuzzo will be a key contributor with the Utah Hockey Club? | ||
| Yes | 32 | 62.7 % |
| No | 19 | 37.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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