Pekka Rinne
Finnish goaltender, Vezina winner, Nashville Predators franchise leader.
Pekka Päiviö Rinne, a Finnish goaltender born on 3 November 1982, spent his entire NHL career with the Nashville Predators after being selected in the 2004 draft. He took over as the team’s primary netminder in the 2008–09 season and soon ranked among the league’s elite. Rinne captured the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender for the 2017–18 campaign and was a finalist for the award on four occasions. He backstopped Nashville to its first Stanley Cup Final in 2017, where the Predators fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.
Rinne holds Nashville’s franchise records for wins and shutouts, was a four-time NHL All-Star, and owns the most NHL victories by a Finnish-born goaltender. He is also one of only 17 NHL netminders to have scored a goal in regular-season or playoff play.
In March 2023, the Predators unveiled an 11-foot-11-inch bronze statue of Rinne in full goaltender gear, positioned outside Bridgestone Arena to honor his impact on the club and city. He is scheduled for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2026.
Rinne began his professional career in Finland’s SM-liiga with Oulun Kärpät, appearing in one game during the 2002–03 season. The following year, he played 14 games primarily as backup to Niklas Bäckström. Kärpät won the league championship that season, and Rinne posted two shutouts in two playoff appearances. He also spent time on loan with Kajaanin Hokki in the Mestis. In the 2004–05 season, he played ten matches for Kärpät but remained behind Bäckström, the league’s top goaltender. After that season, Rinne accepted a two-way contract from the Predators, who had drafted him 258th overall in the eighth round of the 2004 draft.
Rinne signed with Nashville on 23 August 2005 and began his North American career with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. Initially slated as backup to Brian Finley, he became the starter after Finley struggled. In the summer of 2006, Rinne dislocated his shoulder during a fight with unknown assailants, required surgery, and missed the first four months of the season. He played two NHL games with Nashville in 2005–06, posting a 1–1–0 record with a .900 save percentage and a 3.80 goals-against average.
After Dan Ellis’s strong 2007–08 season, starter Chris Mason was traded to St. Louis, and Rinne was called up as Ellis’s backup for 2008–09.
Quick Facts
- Halloffame
- 2026
- Birth Date
- 1982-11-03
- Birth Place
- Kempele, Finland
- Height Cm
- 196
- Weight Kg
- 98.5
- Position
- Goaltender
- Catches
- Left
- Played For
- Oulun Kärpät / Nashville Predators / Dinamo Minsk
- Ntl Team
- FIN
- Draft
- 258th overall
- Draft Year
- 2004
- Draft Team
- Nashville Predators
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Rinne debuted in the SM-liiga with Oulun Kärpät in the 2002–03 season, playing one game. He mainly served as backup to Niklas Bäckström and won the SM-liiga championship with Kärpät in 2003–04, playing two playoff games without allowing a goal. After the 2004–05 season, he accepted a two-way contract from the Nashville Predators. In North America, he began with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL, initially slated as backup but becoming starter due to Brian Finley's poor play. In summer 2006, he dislocated his shoulder in a fight with unknown assailants, requiring surgery and missing four months. He appeared in two NHL games in 2005–06. In the 2008–09 season, he served as backup to Dan Ellis, then became the starter. On 1 December 2008, he became the second Predators rookie goaltender to record a shutout. In February 2009, he was named NHL Rookie of the Month. On 14 March, he set a Predators franchise record with his seventh shutout of the season. He played for Finland in the 2009 IIHF World Championship, starting with a shutout.
Reader's Guide
Rinne led the Predators to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in franchise history in 2017, losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. He is Nashville's franchise leader in wins and shutouts, and holds the record for most NHL wins by a Finnish-born goaltender. He is one of only 17 NHL goaltenders to score a goal in either the regular season or the playoffs. In March 2023, the Predators unveiled an 11-foot-11-inch bronze statue of Rinne in front of Bridgestone Arena to honour his legacy. He is set to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2026. His career included a Vezina Trophy win in 2017–18, four Vezina finalist nominations, and four NHL All-Star selections. He signed a seven-year, $49 million contract in 2011, then the largest in Predators history. He recorded his 300th career win on 22 February 2018, and his 60th career shutout on 10 May 2021.
Did You Know?
- Rinne scored a goal on 9 January 2020 against the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming the 12th goaltender in NHL history to do so.
- He set a Predators franchise record with 11 consecutive wins during the 2011–12 season.
- Rinne was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy four times, winning it in 2017–18.
More in NHL Trophy Winners 1-24
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