![]() ![]() “Pekka Rinne, who served as the face of the organization for more than 15 years, exemplifies what it truly means to be a Nashville Predator,” Nashville Predators President and CEO Sean Henry said in a statement. The announcement come 35 days ahead of the unveiling to honor Rinne’s historic jersey number – the first and only retired jersey in the history of the Predators organization. Rinne, who played his entire 683-game NHL career in Nashville, retired in 2021 after 15 seasons. (WSMV) - The Nashville Predators will unveil a statue of former goaltender Pekka Rinne before the team’s game against Seattle at Bridgestone Arena on March 25. Rinne called Nashville, a place he had to look up in his father's atlas after he was drafted, home and said repeatedly he'd like to retire a Predator.NASHVILLE, Tenn. "I'll always be a Nashville Predator," he said again Tuesday. Really, though, that never was going to happen. ![]() When asked about his plans after the 2021 season, Rinne, who became a free agent for the first time, politely declined to discuss whether he would consider signing with another team. Rinne not only minded net for the Predators for his entire career - he also minded his manners till the very end. HE SHOOTS: Predators' Pekka Rinne scores his first NHL goal He was the first - and still one of the only - players given a full no-movement clause in his contract by Poile, a rarity. He has more wins, has played more minutes, has made more saves, has more shutouts (65) and likely more fans than anyone to play for the team. On the ice he is the franchise record-holder for goalies in just about every statistical category - single season, postseason and career. Off the ice, Rinne has been involved in many charities, including the Pediatric Cancer Fund, which has raised more than $3 million, and won the 2021 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, an award that goes to the player who “best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community." View Gallery: Goaltender Pekka Rinne announces his retirement from the Predators 'HECK OF A CAREER': Pekka Rinne retirement announcement brings flood of memories, well wishes PEKKA RINNE: Five memorable moments Pekka Rinne had with the Nashville Predators PAUL SKRBINA: Retired Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne no good at goodbyes - and I'm thankful for that The more Rinne talked, the more Poile realized it was very real. Poile made it clear to Rinne after last season he was more than welcome to return, but he was careful to not put any pressure on him. "I guess I didn't believe it at first, or want to accept it." "I was pretty close to crying," Poile said of his reaction when Rinne delivered him the news a couple of weeks ago. Seventeen years later, the day David Poile knew would one day come finally did. This was after 28 goalies were picked ahead of him in the same draft. This after he was pulled after allowing five goals in front of another Predators scout, who was seeing him for the first time. This after he was passed over in four previous drafts. None of the above was expected when general manager David Poile, on the advice of his Helsinki-based scout Janne Kekalainen, took a flyer on Rinne by taking him with the last pick of the eighth round - 258th overall - of the 2004 NHL Draft. He said he wanted to be remembered as a "hard worker" and a "man of the people." He won the Vezina Trophy in 2018 as the league's best goalie, helped lead the franchise to its only Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2017, was a three-time All-Star and even scored a goal. The 38-year-old left quite a legacy - on the ice and off. He shared memories, of which there were many. "I guess we all know why we're here," Rinne began Tuesday, flashing a wry smile.įor 31 minutes, 52 seconds, it was to hear the man who helped put hockey on the map in Nashville explain why he was retiring. Rinne said "thank you" about 19,978 times.įor now, he plans to return to Finland with his wife Erika and their six-month-old son Paulus, who will meet his grandparent for the first time. View Gallery: Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne in photosĪ legend said goodbye to Nashville on Tuesday - and vice versa.Īfter 15 seasons, 772 games, 414 victories, 44,713 minutes spent wearing a Nashville Predators uniform and 19,978 pucks stopped, Pekka Rinne has retired from the NHL. ![]()
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