A short lived comeback from hip surgery ends a memorable era in Boston. Tuukka Rask announced his retirement from professional hockey on February 9th, 2022. Rask was originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leaf’s 21st overall in 2005, but played his whole career in the black and gold.

Starting off as a backup to Tim Thomas, Rask worked his way up to becoming the Bruins backbone goaltender after Thomas’s departure in 2013. He brought the Bruins to two Stanley Cup Finals in 2013 and 2019 and holds numerous franchise records. Although his name is on the Cup, he never won as a starter. Tuukka endured a lot of crap from Boston media and fans, but never once let it affect him.

Bruins Franchise Records Held:

• Most games played by a goaltender in Boston Bruin history
• Most wins by a goaltender in franchise history
• Most shutouts in playoff series-clinching games in franchise history (3)
• Longest season-opening home point streak in franchise history
• Most playoff wins by a goaltender in franchise history

Awards Won:

• Stanley Cup Champion (2011)
• Vezina Trophy (2014)
• 2x All Star (2017, 2020)
• William M. Jennings Trophy (2020)
• Winter Olympic Bronze Medal (2014)

Regular Season: 564GP, 308W, 165L, 66OT, 1,230GA, 52SO, 2.28GAA, .921SV%

Playoffs: 104GP, 57W, 46L, 242GA, 7SO, 2.22GAA, .925SV%

Personally, I have always been a huge Tuukka Rask fan, I named my car after him and he was my first actual jersey. Being at the Garden and hearing people chant “TUUKK” after a huge save is an unreal experience. Now retired, Rask can enjoy raising his three young daughters, golfing and banging around on his drumkit.

Thank you number 40

Until Next Time

~RJ