The Nashville Predators have been the butt of more than a few jokes over the years regarding the banners they’ve raised. However Thursday night’s banner ceremony won’t be one of those instances.
That’s because the Preds officially retired former goaltender Pekka Rinne’s number 35 in a nearly hour long ceremony before their game against Dallas. As part of the ceremony, Nashville also announced that they would be erecting a bronze statue in Rinne’s honour outside Bridgestone Arena during the 2022-23 season.
Originally taken 258th overall in the 2004 NHL entry draft, the Finnish netminder announced his retirement from hockey in July following the 2020-21 season. Rinne spent his entire NHL career with the Nashville Predators accumulating 369 wins (good for 19th all time), a career 2.43 GAA, and a .917 SV%.
While he and his Predators teammates were never able to capture a Stanley Cup during his time in Tennessee, there wasn’t much else Rinne failed to accomplish in his storied career. He won the Vezina in 2018, captured the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2021, was a 4 time all star, won a silver with Finland at the 2014 World Championships, and won two SM-Liiga titles with Kanada-malja.
Rinne is one of only 12 goaltenders in NHL history with at least 350 wins and 60 shutouts in their career. He holds the Nashville franchise record for most wins and shutouts, and currently holds the record for most wins in a career by a Finnish born goaltender. And just for good measure, he’s also one of only 12 netminders to ever score a goal in a regular season or playoff hockey game at the NHL level.
Yet for all the accolades and trophies he accumulated over the years, most will remember him for his kind demeanour off ice and willingness to go the extra mile for the community, fanbase, and friends. A sentiment best summed up by former teammate Ryan Johansen who quipped “I think he might be one of the most respected guys to ever play this game that will have his jersey retired”.
The Predators are next in action Saturday against the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 Stadium Series at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN.