Former Red Wing Filppula Signs To Play In Switzerland

Another member of the 2021 Detroit Red Wings has found a new hockey home. Veteran forward Valtteri Filppula has signed to play the 2021-22 season with Servette Geneva of the Swiss League.

Filppula, 37, played 10 of his 16 NHL seasons with the Red Wings, including the last two. He scored six goals in each of the past two seasons. Over 591 games for Detroit he accumulated 112 goals and 175 assists.

Vrana & Filppula connect for Fil's 5th of the season. 👏 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/WODxXtXtGe

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 21, 2021

An 2010 Olympic bronze medal winner with Finland, 2005-06 was Filppula’s rookie season with the Red Wings. Filppula left Detroit the first time in 2013. He signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning and then Lightning GM Steve Yzerman. Yzerman brought Filppula back to Detroit as a UFA in 2019.

Filppula and Darren Helm were the last connections with the Wings to Detroit’s most recent Stanley Cup winner in 2007-08. Helm also departed this summer. He inked a free agent deal with the Colorado Avalanche.

He’ll be one of four import players who will suit up for Servette Geneva this season. That quartet also includes 11-season NHL veteran forward Daniel Winnik.

Filppula is the second member of the 2021 Red Wings to sign to play in Switzerland. Defenseman Christian Djoos joined EV Zug shortly following the conclusion of last season.