Ice hockey goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff played for the Calgary Flames for nine seasons. “Kipper” still holds, among other things, the winning record of the team’s goalkeepers.
Anu Karttunen,
STT Sports
Miikka Kiprusoff will receive a great tribute from his former NHL club, when the Calgary Flames will freeze the Finnish goalkeeper’s game number 34. Kiprusoff, 46, originally from Turku, played 12 seasons in the NHL, the last nine of which were with the Flames.
– This is the biggest honor you can get. I was pretty speechless at first, but naturally this is amazing. It feels incredible, “Kipper” commented of the Flames with a Twitter account.
Kiprusoff still holds the Calgary goalie record for wins (305), games played (572) and shutouts (41). In the 2005–2006 season, he was the first Finn to be named the NHL’s best goaltender.
There are many memories in Kiprusoff’s mind, which the upcoming celebration has brought to the fore.
– Calgary was in a way my last chance to be a starting goaltender in the NHL. I was treated well in Calgary from day one. I had so much fun every year, Kiprusoff beamed.
Kiprusoff stated that he was lucky to play with such good players. He reminded that he received the honor also thanks to his teammates.
– One of the big things in hockey is friends. There were so many good people in the team. I can’t wait to see them again.
Kiprusoff’s jersey will be raised on the roof of the Calgary Flames’ home arena on March 2, 2024, before the game between Calgary and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The club has previously suspended Lanny McDonald’s, Jarome Iginlan and Mike Vernon’s game numbers.