Former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman and two-time Stanley Cup champion Justin Schultz has left the NHL and North America to pursue professional hockey in Switzerland.
Through various hockey insiders, including Chris Johnston, Schultz has signed with HC Lugano.
As reported recently, Justin Schultz was searching for a unique opportunity in the later stages of his career. He’s found that with HC Lugano in Switzerland and signed a contract for the remainder of the year.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 23, 2024
The former second-round pick (43rd overall) in 2008 played 12 seasons in the NHL, dressing with the Edmonton Oilers, Penguins, Washington Capitals, and most recently with the Seattle Kraken.
With 324 points in 745 games, including 71 goals and 253 assists, Schultz did not get any offers he liked this past summer as a free agent. He was coming off a season with just 26 points in 70 games and a minus-23 rating.
Over the past two years, Schultz made $3 million annually with the Kraken, but after firing their head coach and restricting their lineup, he found himself on the outside looking in.
As the summer progressed, the two-time Stanley Cup champion from 2016 and 2017 did not land a job in the NHL, signaling the possible end of his professional career in the league.
Schultz has yet to make his NL debut with HC Lugano, so we will provide further details on how his campaign goes later in the season.
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