The Calgary Flames announced one of their franchise goaltenders, Miikka Kiprusoff, will have his No. 34 retired by the team in a ceremony next season.
Nine players had the opportunity to wear No. 34 for the Calgary Flames, but Miikka Kiprusoff will be the last.
The Flames announced the retirement of the longtime goaltender's No. 34 on Tuesday. They are scheduled to raise his number to the rafters in a pregame ceremony on March 2, 2024, before facing the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Kiprusoff leads the franchise in all-time games played by a goalie (576), wins (305), saves (14,631) and shutouts (41).
Even among goaltenders with at least 50 games played for the Flames, Kiprusoff leads them all in save percentage with .913 and goals-against average with 2.46.
Flames GM and former player Craig Conroy congratulated Kiprusoff on this recognition on behalf of the franchise.
"Today, we are proud to build on the Flames legacy by paying tribute to one of the all-time greats in Flames history," Conroy said in a statement. "We are thrilled to have his No. 34 deservingly displayed at the Scotiabank Saddledome so Flames fans can celebrate his contributions for years to come.
"And for me, personally, it was a privilege to have been his teammate. Under that mask was a fierce competitor who gave us the confidence and an opportunity to win every night. Thank you, and congratulations Kipper."
Kiprusoff will be the fourth Flames player to have his number retired by the team, joining Hall of Famers Lanny McDonald, Jarome Iginla and Mike Vernon.
"I loved my time in Calgary," Kiprusoff said in the news release. "The fans are amazing, and it's a wonderful place to live and play. Hockey really means something here, and I was proud to wear the Flaming 'C' and call Calgary my home for nine years. I would like to thank the Flames ownership, the organization, and the fans for my time in Calgary and for this tremendous honor."
'Kipper' was traded to the Flames in November 2003 for a second-round pick after the San Jose Sharks drafted the netminder 116th overall in the 1995 NHL draft. It turned out to be one of the best deals the Flames could have ever made.
The Turku, Finland, native appeared in 38 games in his first season with the Flames in 2003-04. He stood tall with a 24-10-4 record, an impressive 1.70 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage. He kept those elite numbers going in the playoffs, with a 1.85 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and a whopping five shutouts in 26 games as the Flames came one win away from their second Stanley Cup championship.
After that, he was a goaltending machine, playing at least 70 games for each of the next seven seasons of his career.
Kiprusoff won two individual awards in 2005-06, capturing the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goalie and the William M. Jennings Trophy as the netminder for the team with the fewest goals against. He posted an unreal 10 shutouts that season as Calgary finished third in the Western Conference before bowing out in seven games to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the first round.
The 46-year-old announced his retirement in September 2013 after 12 seasons. He currently ranks 31st in NHL history for most wins, with 319, and 39th for most shutouts, with 44.
His total career numbers between the Sharks and Flames come to 623 matches with 319 wins, 213 losses, seven ties and 64 overtime losses. He also played in 56 playoff contests with a 25-28 record.
It's a long-awaited and well-deserved recognition for one of the Flames' best to ever put on the jersey.
"My boys, Aaro and Oskar (Paka), were too young to really understand how special it was to play in the NHL and how important the team and players are to Calgary fans," Kiprusoff said. "I can't wait for March and share this experience with my family."