Toms, who was born in Riga, Latvia, featured in 41 games for the Stars last season and totalled nine points (4G, 5A).
Despite being born outside of the UK, the 24-year-old has played all of his hockey in the Great Britain and has also represented Team GB on 14 occasions at U18 and U20 level.
Rutkis came through the English youth leagues with teams such as Guildford Phoenix and the Okanagan Hockey Academy but his main development club has been Swindon Wildcats.
The former Cardiff, Devils and Coventry Blaze forward also played a versatile role with the Stars last season, as he was deployed anywhere across the forward lines and on the back end at times to cover for injuries.
After signing up Rutkis for a second season in Dundee, Stars GM and Head Coach, Jeff Mason said: “I think he fits in really well with how I want our team to play.
“He is really aggressive on the forecheck, he can comeback defensively and he can go to those hard and dirty areas, where you have to go to score goals.
“I liked what I saw in him last season and I think he has the potential to improve further and push for a bigger role with more responsibilities and more ice time.
“So, I am very happy to have him back and in the fold, if you want to play an aggressive style of hockey then you need to get contributions from everybody, because it is a tiring game to play.
“So, I think he will fit in well with that system and provide us with some quality minutes of hard work.”
With four British players now signed up for his first season in charge, Mason was happy to have the foundations of his team and a solid Brit core to build on.
He said: “Getting the majority of the Brit core locked up and ready to go for next season, was of very high importance to me.
“Building that continuity with guys that have been around for a few years, especially the local boys.
“So, I am happy with where we are at now and there are certainly positive things ahead going forward.”
Once it was confirmed that Rutkis would be staying on Tayside for another year, he said: “I am very happy to be back for another year in Dundee.
“I really enjoyed my time playing for the club last year and fell in love with living in Scotland.
“Now, I am looking forward to being back there and getting going again for the new season!”
The Latvian-born Brit is also excited to be working under new boss, Mason for the upcoming season.
Toms added: “I think it is very exciting having Jeff as the new head coach, obviously he has been around a team that had huge success last season, and knows what it takes to get to that point.
“I think it will be great for my personal development and the club as a whole.”
Finally, Rutkis affirmed how he only wants to see the club progress and build on the heights of last year.
He said: “Throughout last season we showed that we can compete with any team on any given night and making the playoffs was a big achievement for us, which I think will definitely raises the bar for this upcoming season.
“We want to be competing in every game and finishing in a higher spot in the league this year.”
Toms is our 7th signing of the summer and joins Drydn Dow, Craig Garrigan, Philippe Sanche, Chris Gerrie, Brython Preece and Mac Howlett on the roster for next season.
You can get your season tickets to watch these 7 players and the rest of the team in the 2022-2023 campaign by contacting: [email protected]
Rutkis will again wear #37 for Dundee this year.
To view Tom’s career stats on Elite Prospects click HERE.
