Pekka Rinne set to become first Predator to have number retired

The Nashville Predators will retire Pekka Rinne‘s No. 35 later this season, making the goaltender the first player in franchise history to receive that honour.

The announcement was made Wednesday as Rinne celebrated his 39th birthday. The ceremony will take place on Feb. 24, 2022 ahead of a game against the Dallas Stars.

Rinne, who announced his retirement in July, played his entire 683-game NHL career with Nashville.

“As the face of the Predators for more than 15 years, it is only right that the first number to be retired in franchise history is Pekka Rinne’s,” general manager David Poile said. “He is one of, if not the, primary reasons our franchise has grown into what it is today. It’s going to be an incredibly special night not only for Pekka, his family and friends, but for our entire organization.”

The Kempele, Finland native won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goalie in 2018 and was a four-time All-Star.

The Predators took Rinne in the eighth round (258th overall) of the 2004 NHL Draft.

“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. “It’s the ultimate recognition for an individual player.”

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