The career of Tuukka Rask, one of the greatest goaltenders in the long and storied history of the Boston Bruins franchise, is officially over.
Rask had undergone hip surgery over the summer and didn’t sign anywhere in the offseason. In January, he returned to the Bruins. But in a statement released on Wednesday, Rask said that “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.” With that, he announced his retirement.
A statement from Tuukka Rask.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/Lae4E8rLfI
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 9, 2022
While Rask is only 34, he made a huge impression on the Bruins and the NHL in general.
The all-time leader.
308 wins — most in Bruins history
564 games — most in Bruins history#NHLBruins | @tuukkarask pic.twitter.com/Ni9557UU02— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 9, 2022
Thank you, Tuukka. 👏 pic.twitter.com/SLCBvu7dKr
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 9, 2022
Tuukka Rask’s final rankings in #NHLBruins history:
GP: 564 (1st)
Wins: 308 (1st)
Shutouts: 52 (2nd)
SV%: .921% (T-1st)
Saves: 15,575 (1st)
GAA: 2.28 (2nd)
Playoff GP: 104 (1st)
Playoff Wins: 57 (1st)
Playoff SV%: 0.925% (2nd)— Max Mainville (@tkdmaxbjj) February 9, 2022
There’s just so much good to say about Tuukka Rask.
He finished 3rd all-time in sv% in the NHL.
He has the most wins in the regular season and playoffs in Bruins history.
He won a Vezina, and was absolutely elite for 12 years.Thank you, Tuukka. pic.twitter.com/DAJgXCPVMQ
— x – Alex (@bigbadbruins73) February 9, 2022
Tuukka Rask, career rank among goalies in the last 50 years
Save% – 3rd (Hasek & Dryden)
GAA – 4th (Hasek, Dryden, & Brodeur)— Tucker Boynton (@Tucker_TnL) February 9, 2022
For the record, the only goalies ahead of Rask in save percentage and goals against average—Martin Brodeur, Dominik Hašek and Ken Dryden—are in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Rask’s greatness has raised a question. Will he be the last Bruins player to ever wear No. 40?
Tuukka Rask has officially announced his retirement from the NHL.
…Is a trip to the rafters on its way? pic.twitter.com/ui5M9l6U3U
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) February 9, 2022
The Bruins do have 11 numbers retired, 12 if we count Wayne Gretzky’s universally retired No. 99. Still, retiring Rask’s number would be breaking some precedent. None of the previous players to have their numbers retired in Boston were goalies.
But Rask’s achievements are noteworthy. In addition to his statistical domination, he was also on the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup winning team, though he was primarily a backup to Tim Thomas.
Following Rask’s announcement, Bruins fans pointed out how fortunate the franchise was to be that stable in net for so long.
Going from Tim Thomas to Tuukka Rask for what was a 15-year run of high-end stability at the most important position will forever be underappreciated.
— Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) February 9, 2022
Tuukka Rask loved playing for the Bruins and loved playing in Boston. The Bruins were so lucky to have him and Tim Thomas over the last 15 years.
— Nicholas W. Goss (@NickGossNBCSB) February 9, 2022
Other fans, meanwhile, just took a moment to appreciate Rask’s career. Perhaps particularly as it comes on the heels of Tom Brady, another Boston sports legend, announcing his retirement.
Boston fans watching Brady and Rask retire in back to back weeks pic.twitter.com/M9TO6eVl4e
— Boston Diehards (@Boston_Diehards) February 9, 2022
No athlete has ever got as much undeserved hate from his own fans as Tuukka Rask. He carried this team in a game 7 of the finals before his team collapsed in front of him yet he’s the only one that gets blamed. Greatest goalie in franchise history.
— Famous Violist (@FamousViolist) February 9, 2022
Tuukka Rask a first-ballot inductee into the Boston Sports Under-Appreciated & Over-Criticized Hall of Fame
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) February 9, 2022
Tuukka Rask retires with his name on the Stanley Cup. Don’t you forget that.
— Mark Dondero (@MarkDondero) February 10, 2022
Rask is leaving a big set of shoes (or skates) to fill.
