Pekka Rinte became the first Finnish watchman whose shirt was lifted to the ceiling in the NHL. Last night, he received the greatest tribute he can get in the NHL.
Nassville through his NHL career Pekka from the slope came early Friday morning the first Finnish goalkeeper whose shirt was lifted to the ceiling in the NHL. The Finns had previously received the honor Jari Kurri, Jere Lehtinen, Teppo Numminen mixed Teemu Selänne. Also Mikko Koivun the shirt will be lifted this season on roof structures in Minnesota.
In his NHL career, Rinne represented Nashville from 2005 to 2021, becoming by far the best goalkeeper in young club history. Rinne was nominated for the NHL Goalkeeper of the Year four times, winning the award once, in the 2017-2018 season. In two seasons, Slope had the best combat percentage in the NHL and twice this one won the tie-in stat.
In its final season, 2020–2021, Slope was awarded the King Clancy Award. The trophy is awarded to a player who demonstrates leadership on and off the ice and does significant humanitarian work in his community.
The story continues after the video and the picture.
All of this and more was celebrated early Friday morning in the country town of Nashville – or rather has been celebrated throughout the week. Sports reached the Slope from Nashville just before the festivities. The sympathetic Kempeläinen said that the celebrations had concretized the end of a long and successful career. In a good way.
– I’ve had time to chew here after knowing about this for a long time. Especially this week there has been a lot of program here on the subject and I have been celebrated in different ways. It has concretized lifting the shirt and actually ending the whole career. A lot has become a thoughtful career and it has brought emotions to the surface, Rinne told Sport.
– This is insanely great.
Rinne said the freeze on the game number gave the career the last seal.
– That it is. After all, it’s a great honor for yourself and the highest recognition a player can get from a club. Totally unbelievable. After that, you can just enjoy and breathe.
It’s about bigger things than hockey
The slope was still a lot more than just playing hockey or a frozen shirt. Slope is still the most popular player in Nashville club history, not least because of the humanitarian work he has just done and his approachable nature.
The slope joined the people at the very beginning of his career and has not left since. That is why the love for the slopes in the city is boundless. In the sense of the slope, it is much more than just hockey for the townspeople.
– It’s been palpable this week. Yesterday was the kind of lunch gala for 500 people where charities wanted to thank me. I did not assume or know that this would happen. Yes, I feel like people care about me. I feel like I have a special connection with people here.
Rinne had prepared for the celebrations by building a speech, but at the same time relaxed.
– Of course, I prepared for the speech with the intention of thanking many people, Rinne said.
– This kind of shirt-lifting moment is a unique once in a lifetime opportunity. My only hope was not to get so excited that I could enjoy everything. This, of course, is all emotional for me and my whole family. As such, you have to approach such opportunities on a personal basis.
Rinne got to the right state of mind as early as Thursday morning when he visited his old home arena during the morning rehearsals in Nashville. The club had filled the arena with shirts with the name and number of the slope. Each of the 17,500 fans who came to the venue got their own Slope shirt.
– That was a pretty nice sight. The hall was quite yellow and my number and name were visible on every single seat. A dizzying sight, Sinne sighed.
The slope enjoyed its great week not only with family but also with close friends. About 40 of his friends flew to the Slope number freezing ceremony from Finland alone.
– On Wednesday we got together with old friends, it had at least twenty old playmates, a few from fly races. It was a really great thing for me that so many decided to go here to see the festivities. The big honor and especially the old playmates were really nice to see, Rinne praised.
Above all, gratitude
After Friday, with regard to the NHL game, everything starts to be done and said about the slopes. In the late round of the eighth round, the Finnish goalkeeper made an incredible career in the NHL: 15, 683 matches and 369 wins. Oh, and a closet full of different personal trophies.
And with number 35, no one is playing in Nashville anymore.
After all, the slope brings out gratitude.
– It was this whole thing that completely changed my life. My life would certainly look very different if I hadn’t ended up here in time. Therefore, the overriding feeling is gratitude. I’ve been thinking a lot about how lucky I’ve been. I have a humble but proud feeling about my own career and that I got to play for so long and still be in the same organization.
– The years here must have shaped me as a person, although I may not always notice it myself. Yes, it still left a big mark on who I am. And there will certainly be a bond to this city at all times, Rinne concluded.