CALGARY – The Calgary Flames have announced goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff’s 2013 season with the team was his last, as he is retiring.
The club made the official announcement on Monday, after months of speculation from fans and insiders that the veteran player would be leaving the NHL.
“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 2013 season was going to be his last,” said Flames General Manager Jay Feaster in a press release.
“We, as an organization, made it clear to Kipper that we did not want him to make a rash or hasty decision,” says Feaster. “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.”
Fans were well aware that Kipper might be leaving the league, and even gave him a standing ovation at what was anticipated to be his last home game with the team.
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WATCH: Flames fans give Kipper a standing ovation at the final 2013 home game against the Anaheim Ducks.
Kiprusoff returned to Calgary this month, advising the organization that his decision hadn’t changed, and he wished to retire.
“I’ve been very lucky to have spent 10 years of my career in Calgary,” said Kiprusoff in a statement. “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 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,” says Feaster. “He will be missed by players, teammates and fans, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Kiprusoff, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude for the team and his fans, saying:
“I have so many people to thank for their tremendous support including the Flames ownership group who always provide the team with every resource to be successful as well as creating a family environment for the players off the ice. To the staff who work so hard to make every game night special for the fans and most importantly, Flames fans who through good times and bad, our fans never left our side. And finally, my teammates for making it fun and rewarding to come the rink everyday.”
Kiprusoff concludes his career 319 wins, a 2.49 GAA, 44 shutouts and a .912 save percentage.
Back in April, Global’s Grant Pollock was at the Saddledome for Miika’s last home game.
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