When the Calgary Flames take the ice to open up their regular season schedule Oct. 3 in D.C. for a clash with the Washington Capitals, the team will be without its all time wins leader in net. Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, whose 305 wins between the pipes is a franchise record, is calling it a career after spending 10 years in Calgary.
The retirement was announced Monday in a statement released by the Flames.
"I've been very lucky to have spent 10 years of my career in Calgary," the statement read, according to CBC Sports. "There is no better place to live and play. I look forward to taking the next year with my family to enjoy everything wonderful about southern Alberta."
Kiprusoff, 36, spent nine seasons with the Flames and appeared in a franchise-record 576 games while also setting the bar for the team in shutouts with 41. Kiprusoff had been mulling retirement since the end of last year's 48-game lockout-shortened NHL season, and the statement said he told Flames general manager Jay Feaster of his plans.
"I decided to retire at the end of last season," Kiprusoff said, according to CBC Sports. "I appreciated Jay Feaster and the Flames organization permitting me to take the summer to be 100 percent sure. Jay and I had conversations over the summer and nothing had changed for me and upon returning to Calgary last week, I once again spoke with Jay and confirmed with him that I would be retiring."
Kiprusoff was given a good sendoff from fans at the Scotiabank Saddledome last season in the team's 3-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks last April in what proved to be his final home game.
Feaster said he is grateful for everything the Finland native has done for the organization.
"Miikka will take his place in the pantheon of great NHL goaltenders, and his place in Flames' history is secure," Feaster said per CBC Sports. "He will be missed by players, teammates and fans, and we wish him all the best in his retirement."
Kiprusoff was drafted in the fifth round of the 1995 NHL draft and 116th overall by the San Jose Sharks. He remained in the Sharks organization until the 2003-04 season, when he was traded to Calgary.
The Flames are hoping for some better fortunes this season as the team hasn't made the playoffs since the 2008-09 campaign, and finished 19-25-4 with 42 points in 2013, and had the third worst record in the Western Conference. In what proved to be his final season, Kiprusoff played in 24 games and went 8-14-2 with a 3.44 GAA and a .882 save percentage.
Kiprusoff won the Vezina trophy in 2005-06, and has a career record of 319-213-71 through 623 games, with a career goals-against average of 2.49 and a .912 save percentage.
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