The Nashville Predators have announced that the franchise will retire Pekka Rinne’s No. 35 jersey on Feb. 24, 2022. The ceremony will take place prior to the team’s game against the Dallas Stars.
In doing so, Rinne will become the first player in Predators history to have his jersey retired.
“After playing my first game with the Nashville Predators in 2005, I could have never dreamed that my jersey would be retired 16 years later,” Rinne said in a press release. “It’s the ultimate recognition for an individual player. I’m very grateful for the Predators organization and the City of Nashville. I cannot wait to celebrate that moment with my family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff and the fans at Bridgestone Arena.”
Rinne is the Predators’ all-time leader in several goaltending categories, including wins (369), goals-against-average (2.43), saves (17,627), and shutouts (60). The former Predator also ranks 19th in both shutouts and wins in NHL history. He also has the most wins and shutouts of any Finnish-born goaltender in league history.
The Finnish netminder’s 2.43 goals-against-average is the fourth-lowest of all-time among goaltender that have at least 350 wins to their credit. Rinne is part of a legendary group that also includes Martin Brodeur, Dominik Hasek, and Jacques Plante.
During his 15-year NHL career, Rinne put together a 369-213 record to go along with a .917 save percentage. Rinne was also a four-time All-Star and won the Vezina Trophy in 2018.
Rinne was originally an eighth round pick by the Predators back in the 2004 NHL Draft. The star goaltender announced his retirement from the sport this past July after spending his entire career with the Predators.
