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The winningest goalie in Boston Bruins franchise history announced his retirement from pro hockey on Wednesday evening.
(Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Rask had recently signed a 1-year, $1 million contract with the Bruins back in January after missing the beginning of the season due to hip surgery. The 34-year old goalie required surgery during the offseason after sustaining an injury in last year's playoffs.
Rask returned to the Bruins after the new year and only played 4 games, going 2-2 with a 4.28 GAA and .844 save percentage. Clearly something was still bothering Rask, "he's not where he needs to be," said Bruins head coach, Bruce Cassidy. It was announced on Monday that he would not play this week due to a lower-body injury. Just two days later, Rask called it quits.
"Over these last few weeks, I've realized that my body is not responding the way it needs to for me to play at the level I expect of myself and that my teammates and Bruins fans deserve. Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from the game of hockey."
-Tuukka Rask
It wasn't like Rask went out quietly, as he posted very solid numbers in the 2020-21 season and helped his team make it to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs before being eliminated by the New York Islanders. That would be the last time we'd ever get to see vintage Tuukka Rask.
Rask was selected 25th overall in the 2005 NHL draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, before being traded to Boston in exchange for Andrew Raycroft. Rask played backup for Tim Thomas during the Bruins 2011 Stanley Cup run, eventually taking over the starting goaltending position the following year and never looking back.
Rask posted a career record of 308-165-66, with a 2.28 goals against average and a .921 save percentage in 564 starts with Boston.
Rask's career accolades go as follows:
1x Stanley Cup Champion (2010-11)
1x Vezina Trophy winner (2013-14)
1x William M. Jennings Trophy winner (2019-20)
2x NHL All-Star (2014, 2017)
NHL First All-Star Team (2014)
NHL Second All-Star Team (2020)
Boston Bruins all-time leader in wins (regular season & playoffs)
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