Miikka Kiprusoff Confirms Retirement

The Calgary Flames on Monday announced goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff has retired from the NHL. In 24 games last season, Kiprusoff, 36, went 8-14-2 with 3.44 goals-against average and .882 save percentage Kiprusoff retires as the Flames' franchise leader in games played (576), wins (305) and shutouts (41). He was acquired from the San Jose Sharks in a trade Nov. 16, 2003, and that season led the Flames to the Stanley Cup Final. He went 15-11 with five shutouts, a 1.85 GAA and .928 save percentage in 26 playoff games. His best season was 2005-06, when he led the League with a 2.07 goals-against average and 10 shutouts, was second with 42 wins and third with a .923 save percentage. He capped his season by winning the Vezina Trophy as the League's top goaltender. Drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the fifth round of the 1997 NHL Draft, Kiprusoff ranks 23rd all-time with 319 wins and 30th with 44 shutouts in 623 NHL games with the Sharks and Flames. He won 40 games three times and at least 30 games seven times.

"I decided to retire at the end of last season," Kiprusoff said in a statement released by the team. "I appreciated [general manager] Jay Feaster and the Flames organization permitting me to take the summer to be 100 percent sure. It's an important decision for me personally, my family, the Flames organization and fans. 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. I've been very lucky to have spent 10 years of my career in Calgary. 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."

"Miikka has been up-front with us since the trade deadline that he wanted to finish his outstanding playing career as a Flames player, and that the [2012-13] season was going to be his last," Flames GM Jay Feaster said. "We, as an organization, made it clear to [Kiprusoff] that we did not want him to make a rash or hasty decision. We wanted to give him time to get refreshed during the summer and spend some additional time to make his decision. Had we been prepared to accept Miikka's position back in April we could have announced his retirement at the end of the season. We purposely chose to wait and give him more time to ensure this was the course he wanted to take. In returning to Calgary this month he advised us that his decision remained the same, and that he was retiring as a player. Miikka Kiprusoff has been the backbone of the Calgary Flames since his arrival here in 2003, and every night for more than 70 nights per season his magnificence between the pipes gave the team a chance to win. He inspired hope and confidence, and he made those around him better players as a result of his brilliance. Miikka will take his place in the pantheon of great NHL goaltenders, and his place in Flames history is secure. He will be missed by players, teammates and fans, and we wish him all the best in his retirement."