NASHVILLE — Former star goaltender Pekka Rinne has accepted a special adviser position with the Nashville Predators.
General manager David Poile confirmed the hiring on Thursday. Rinne is the only player in Tennessee franchise history to have had his number retired.
Rinne, who hails from Kempele, Finland, was the goalie coach for the Finnish team that won silver at the last World Junior Hockey Championships. Rinne will observe and try to learn from Predators goalie coach Ben Vanderklok and the organization’s goalie development coach Dave Rook.
Rinne will also participate in promotional activities for the Predators in the Nashville area and will continue to be an ambassador for the Predators Foundation. He announced his retirement in July 2021, and he’s the most goaltender in Tennessee’s organizational history – including games played (683) and saves (17,627).
The 2018 Vezina Trophy winner also ranks 19th in NHL history with 60 shutouts, and tied for 19th with 369 career wins.
