"He has amply demonstrated in his career that he can do well if used in [the right] role. Our coach will have to find a clear and defined role for him," Hnat Domenichelli, team manager of HC Lugano, tells the Corriere delnTicino. "As of today, in short, the Finn will be one of our import players next season. We have no intention of parting ways with him: we will see how things go."
Ruotalainen did not have a productive season in Lugano, recording only five goals and nine assists in 43 games for them. A season before that, he put up 18 goals and 24 assists in 52 games for EHC Kloten.