Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne retiring after 15 seasons

Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne, the 2018 Vezina Trophy winner, is retiring after 15 seasons.

The 38-year-old announced his decision Tuesday.

"For more than 15 years, I've been on an incredible, life-changing journey with the Nashville Predators that has taken me to more places than I could have ever imagined and given me more than I could ever hope to give back," Rinne said in a statement. "This decision wasn't easy, but I know this is the right one at the right time.

He made his last start on May 10 in Nashville's regular-season finale, a 5-0 win over Carolina in which he tied Tom Barrasso for No. 19 in NHL history with his 369th victory. That also was his 60th career shutout, third among active goalies behind Marc-Andre Fleury (66) and Henrik Lundqvist (65).

His career goals-against average of 2.43 is tied for fourth-best among goalies with at least 350 wins in NHL history behind only Dominik Hasek, Martin Brodeur and Jacques Plante. He also is one of 12 goalies in NHL history with at least 350 wins and 60 shutouts.

Rinne posted three 40-win seasons, which is tied for second most in NHL history; he is one of seven goalies to reach that mark.

A four-time Vezina finalist and twice runner-up as top goalie, Rinne went 369-213-75 in his career after being the No. 258th pick overall in the eighth round of the 2004 NHL entry draft. The native of Kempele, Finland, also has the most games played, victories and shutouts by a Finnish goalie in NHL history.

General manager David Poile congratulated Rinne on an "exceptional career" after giving Nashville a chance to win every game he played during the team's most competitive era.

"The role he played in making the Predators organization into something so much more than just a hockey team cannot be understated, and what he means to our team and community makes him one of the most special players and people you'll ever meet," Poile said in a statement.

Decorated career

Rinne finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting in 2011 when he helped Nashville win its first playoff series in franchise history, downing Anaheim in the Western Conference quarter-finals.

He finally won the Vezina in 2018. He went 42-13-4 with a 2.31 GAA and .227 save percentage with eight shutouts, helping Nashville win the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in franchise history.

On Jan. 9, 2020, Rinne became the 12th goalie in NHL history to score a goal off a puck he shot from behind his own goal line into an empty net against Chicago.

WATCH: Rinne scores against Chicago:

Pekka Rinne scores 1st goalie goal since 2013

5 years ago

Duration 1:00

Pekka Rinne added a first to his historic career on Thursday night as he scored into the empty net to record his first career goal, and the first in the NHL since Mike Smith in 2013.

The four-time NHL all-star won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy last month for his leadership qualities on and off the ice. He was named to the NHL First all-star team in 2018 and the NHL Second all-star team in 2011.