Veteran NHL goaltender refuses to sign with Canadian team and announces his retirement
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Samer Dagher
Sep 15, 2024 (1:21 PM)
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Photo credit: Sportsnet
Goaltender Antti Raanta recently revealed that he turned down a contract offer from one Canadian team this offseason.
While it's common for some National Hockey League players to avoid signing with Canadian teams due to high taxes, Raanta's reason was different. The 35-year-old goalie declined an offer from the Vancouver Canucks because he no longer feels the "fire" to compete and wants to spend more time with his family in Europe.
Raanta explained that he didn't want to compete for a roster spot, especially if it meant potentially ending up in the AHL.
"I knocked it down right away and announced that I've kind of made up my mind that I won't be going there anymore," said Raanta, as per Ilta-Sanomat (translated from Finnish). "A few hours later, suddenly I was on a Zoom call with (goalkeeping coach) Marko Torenius and the general manager. It would have been more of a trial."
"There is no such thing as a fire anymore, that I would go there tooth and nail to fight for a place."
"The role of second or third goaltender and possibly playing in the AHL was on offer. It's not necessarily the case of playing up to 60 games in the AHL at the age of 35 and just waiting for maybe someone to fail or get injured, then you'll be in trouble."
"Now was a good time to return to Europe with my family."
"There is no such thing as a fire anymore, that I would go there tooth and nail to fight for a place."
"The role of second or third goaltender and possibly playing in the AHL was on offer. It's not necessarily the case of playing up to 60 games in the AHL at the age of 35 and just waiting for maybe someone to fail or get injured, then you'll be in trouble."
"Now was a good time to return to Europe with my family."
Raanta has had a solid 10-year NHL career, playing 275 games with a 139-80-29 record, a .915 save percentage, and a 2.48 goals-against average. He played for the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes, and Carolina Hurricanes.
We wish him all the best as he begins the next chapter of his life.
Source: Ilta Sanomat
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