Pekka Rinne, an eighth-round pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, would go on to become one of the most celebrated players in Nashville Predators history. Rinne became the starting goaltender in the 2008-2009 season and was a dominant player at his position for the next 12 years.
Rinne retired in July 2021 as the franchise leader in nearly every goaltending category, including games played (683), wins (369), goals-against average (2.43), total time on ice (39,413:29), shutouts (60) and saves (17627); in NHL history, he sits 19th in shutouts and is tied for 20th in victories. His No. 35 was raised to the rafters in a pregame ceremony on Feb. 24, 2022, and on Mar. 25, 2023, a statue of him was unveiled on the Bridgestone Arena Plaza.
The winner of the 2018 Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender, Rinne was also a finalist for the award three other times, a four-time NHL All-Star (2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019) and was twice voted to the NHL’s year-end All-Star Teams, including a First Team nod in 2017-18. Rinne’s career goals-against average of 2.43 is tied for the fourth-best mark among goaltenders with at least 350 wins in NHL history, trailing only Dominik Hasek, Martin Brodeur and Jacque Plante. Further signifying his impact on the NHL’s record books, Rinne is one of 12 goaltenders in League history to notch at least 350 wins and 60 shutouts.
Off the ice, Rinne won the 2021 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, an appropriate recognition of a career spent dedicated to the Nashville and Middle Tennessee communities and the Predators Foundation.
The bulk of his life-changing work has come through the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund presented by Twice Daily, which he launched alongside former Predators Captain Shea Weber during the 2012-12 season. The fund’s focus is to support the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. Since the fund’s establishment, donations totaling more than $4 million have been made to the hospital and its programs. He also dedicated time to the Best Buddies Tennessee program, forming lasting relationships with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The 2023-24 season was Rinne’s second with the team’s hockey operations staff and first as European Development Coach and Scout. Rinne, the only player in franchise history to have his number retired, began his new role after spending the 2022-23 season as a Special Alumni Advisor.
Rinne and his fiancée, Erika, are based in Finland and have one son, Paulus.