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Nashville Predators’ Pekka Rinne calls it a career

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By Neil Becker

Following an impressive 15- year career with the Nashville Predators, fan favorite Pekka Rinne has decided to hang up the pads.

Drafted in the eighth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Predators, this 36- year-old goaltender established himself by playing 683 career games and posting a 369-213-75 record along with 60 total shutouts and a 2.43 G.A.A.

Rinne, who is a four- time all-star and leads the franchise in all time wins and shutouts, enjoyed his finest season in 2017-18, when he posted a 42-13-4 record with eight shutouts and a 2.31 G.A.A. which earned him the Vezina Trophy.   

“For more than 15 years, I’ve been on an incredible, life-changing journey with the Nashville Predators that has taken me to more places than I could have ever imagined and given me more than I could ever hope to give back,” Rinne told NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen.

 “This decision wasn’t easy, but I know this is the right one at the right time. As I announce my retirement, I’m thankful for my parents, sisters, fiancé Erika, everyone in the Predators organization-management, coaches and trainers-my teammates and my youth coaches back in Finland. Last but not least, I’m thankful for the people of Nashville. Each of you helped me grow into the man, father and person I am today.”

Proving to be a strong positive role model, Rinne, has made history by ranking number one among Finnish goalies for NHL games, starts and wins.

Rinne has also left his mark in the post-season where he ranks number one in Predators franchise history with 89 starts and 45 wins.

Leaving on a high note Rinne, who this year completed a two- year 10 million contract, finished off his career on May 10th with a 5-0 win against the Carolina Hurricanes at Bridgestone Arena.  

“I don’t know how much that factored in to my decision to retire, but you can’t reproduce that,” Rinne told NHL.com. “For sure everything went like in the movies. Now looking back, it was such a special ending to my career.”

Other notable accomplishments in Rinne’s storied career also include winning this year the King Clancy Memorial Trophy and that magical night on January 9, 2020, against the Chicago Blackhawks, when he made history by becoming only the 12th goalie to score a goal.  

There is no question that Rinne, who was the face of the Predators franchise will be greatly missed.

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