The Nashville Predators’ very own Pekka Rinne won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The trophy is awarded each year to an NHL player for leading both on and off the ice with humanitarian work.
The NHL announced Monday that the National Hockey League Foundation will give the 38-year old hockey veteran $25,000. The money is allocated for Rinne to a charity or multiple charities.
New Jersey Devils and former Predators’ forward P.K. Subban and San Jose Sharks forward Kurtis Gabriel were named as the finalists. Each will receive $5,000 to donate.
Rinne previously won the Vezina Trophy, given to the league’s top goalie back in 2018. In addition, Rinne is involved in a variety of charities. He formed the 265 Pediatric Cancer Fund along with his former teammate Shea Weber.
The fund raises money for cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Rinne is affiliated with Best Buddies and is a supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Additionally, the Finnish star supports the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s. There are more charities Rinne has been involved with, as well, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is yet another award Rinne will be able to add to his resume. It is certainly a huge acheivement for the longtime Preds goaltender and, based on his hard work and efforts to contribute to the community, this award is something he truly deserves.
Rinne has played his entire NHL career with the Preds. He was drafted 258th overall in the eigth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
For nearly two decades, Rinne has contributed to the Preds both on and off the ice. On the ice, he has made a name for himself and put in a lot of effort to help the Preds.
Off the ice, Rinne has put in a lot of dedication to all the charities he is involved with.
At this point, things are pretty uncertain about his future with the Preds. There has been a lot of speculation as to whether he will retire this season or keep on playing.
There is a whole lot to consider at the moment. On Nov. 3, 2018, signed a 2-year contract. He signed the contract on the same day his seven-year contract with the Preds exired.
Now, Rinne’s contract has expired, which means he will be an Unrestricted Free Agent for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
There are two possible options that Rinne may decide on.
Option A would mean Rinne hang up his skates and uniform to officially say goodbye to the team that he has played with for his entire career. Option B is that Rinne and the Preds reach a deal and get a new contract signed.
The last choice is sort of complicated, now. Because of Rinne’s age and the likelihood of him retiring very soon, the contract he signs probably will be only for a year or two.
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