Pekka Rinne

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size = 250px
team = Nashville Predators
league = NHL
position = Goaltender
shoots = Right
height_ft = 6
height_in = 3
weight_lb = 191
nationality = Finland
birth_date = Birth date and age|1982|11|3|mf=y
birth_place = Kempele, Finland
draft = 258
draft_year = 2004
draft_team = Nashville Predators
career_start = 2001

Pekka Rinne (b. November 3, 1982 in Kempele, Finland) is a professional hockey goaltender currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the NHL.

Overview

Rinne was developed in Kärpät playing predominantly for their junior team between 2000–2003. From 2003–2005 he played for Kärpät helping them to win the SM-liiga championships in both 2004 and 2005.

Rinne was drafted 258th overall in the 8th round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators. He was signed by the Predators on August 23, 2005 and began his North American playing career with the Predator's top minor league affiliate Milwaukee Admirals. Initially Rinne was slated to be the backup for Brian Finley but, with Finley's disappointing play, Rinne was able to take the starting goaltending job. But, during the summer of 2006, Rinne was "roughed up by a couple of unknown assailants" and dislocated his shoulder. As a result, he had to have surgery and missed the first four months of the season.

Rinne appeared into two NHL games with the Nashville Predators during the 2005–06 season. He compiled a record of 1–1–0 with a .900 save percentage and a GAA of 3.80.

Following Dan Ellis's stellar performance in the 2007-2008 Nashville Predators campaign, starter Chris Mason was traded to the St. Louis Blues and Rinne was called up to serve as back-up to to Dan Ellis for the 2008-2009 season.

ee also

* List of NHL players

External links

* [http://www.nhlfinns.com/players.aspx?pid=127 Pekka Rinne on nhlfinns.com]
*
* [http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospect/pekka_rinne Pekka Rinne @ hockeysfuture.com]