Blackhawks Sign Czech Defenseman Jan Rutta

(CBS) The Blackhawks have signed 26-year-old free-agent defenseman Jan Rutta, they announced Wednesday.

Rutta was a headlining free agent on the international scene after playing for Pirati Chomutov in the Czech Republic last season. He had eight goals and 24 assists in 46 games last season.

"Jan has been on our radar for a number of years, and he has shown great progress on the ice during that time," Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said in a statement. "His addition to the organization makes our defense more dynamic, and he has shown he can contribute offensively as well."

A native of the Czech Republic who represented his country in the 2017 World Championship, Rutta signed a one-year deal, the Sun-Times reported.

The addition of Rutta comes as Blackhawks defensemen Johnny Oduya and Brian Campbell enter free agency. It's also possible that Trevor van Riemsdyk could be nabbed in the expansion draft by Las Vegas.