4th year center Ryan Rupert(20) was left unqualified by Ottawa Senators making him an unrestricted free agent heading into 2017/2018.
The small 5’9″ 190 lbs. pivot has signed a one-year deal to join Indy Fuel, where he’ll join his twin brother, who was with the team last season.
They have been on a number of squads together.
Originally a Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 6th round pick in the 2012 draft (#157 overall) he has 3 years ECHL experience on reassignment, most recently skating 29 games to Wichita Thunder, where he scored 9 goals and 12 assists.
In 149 AHL games for Binghamton Senators and Toronto Marlies, he has 31 goals and 28 assists with an highly accountable +18 rating.
The two-time OHL Champion with London Knights, 2012/2013 was a very decent point-getter through four years of junior hockey but what really stands out is his +65 plus/minus.
As a still super-young 23-year old he may play a full season at double A, looking for a loan to the higher level but we expect him to seek better competition overseas before too long.