Pekka Rinne

Rinne utilized the popular butterfly style of goaltending, dropping to his knees early and using his leg pads to block low shot attempts.

Pekka Rinne in a file photo. (image credits: instagram/pekkarinne)
By Dilpreet | Aug 24, 2022 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Pekka Rinne born on 3 November 1982 is a Finnish former professional hockey goaltender. Rinne utilized the popular butterfly style of goaltending, dropping to his knees early and using his leg pads to block low shot attempts. At 6′ 5″ (1.96m), Rinne was among the tallest goaltenders in the league, which gave him tremendous reach with his stick and leg pads. For a tall goaltender, he utilized great footwork, had a great glove hand, but played with a smaller stick than most goaltenders did. Rinne is the son of Jukka and Helena Rinne, and he has two sisters, Anna and Päivi. As a child, Rinne idolized John Vanbiesbrouck.

Rinne was developed in Kärpät, playing predominantly for their junior team between 2000 and 2003, and for their men’s team in championship-winning years 2004 and 2005, mostly as a backup to Niklas Bäckström. He was drafted 258th overall in the eighth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators. Rinne appeared in two NHL games with Nashville during the 2005–06 season. He compiled a record of 1–1–0 with a .900 save percentage and goals against average (GAA) of 3.80.

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NHL and National debut

Rinne moved to North America for the 2005-06 season and won his NHL debut for Nashville on Dec. 15, 2005, against the Chicago Blackhawks. It was the first of two games he played in the League that season. He played his entire 13-season NHL career for the Predators, retiring as their regular-season leader in games (683), starts (667), wins (369), shutouts (60), goals-against average (2.43), and saves (17,627), and had a .917 save percentage. In May 2014, Rinne was named to the All-Star Team and selected as the Most Valuable Player of the 2014 IIHF World Championship as Finland claimed the silver medal.

Notable Statistics

Games683
Goals Against Average2.43
Goals Saved17,627
Save Percentage.917

Pekka Rinne’s net worth

Rinne’s net worth is expected to be from $4 million to $15 million. Since the former hockey goaltender has not accepted or refuted any claims. He made his wealth majorly from playing hockey for more than a decade. He was able to make total career earnings of $64 million to make place him as number 81 in NHL high career earners. On 3 November 2018, Rinne signed a two-year, $10 million contract extension with Nashville. On 13 July 2021, Rinne announced his retirement from professional hockey. The Predators also announced that Rinne’s number 35 jersey would be retired on 24 February 2022, making him the first player in team history to receive the honor.

Who is Pekka Rinne’s girlfriend?

Pekka is not married but has a fiancee known as Erika Parkko. Together they have a son, Paulus Oliver Rinne who was born in 2020. Erika herself appears to be a 24-year-old young lady born in Oulu who enjoys a carefree and luxurious lifestyle. She has been seen at several events, and is evidently a fan of the band ‘Mumford and sons.’ It is speculated that Rinne and Erika began their relationship early in 2017. Their relationship was brought to the public attention after the duo was seen cozying up to each other at a new year’s eve event!