Dogcat250
IP:114.100.100.* |
|  Wys³any: 2019-08-28 04:43:02 Temat postu: m and many of its fans. The 36-year-o
CALGARY -- After a summer of reflection, Miikka Kiprusoff decided to stick with his original plan. The Calgary Flames goaltender announced his retirement from the NHL on Monday, a move that was expected by both the team and many of its fans. The 36-year-old spent the last nine seasons with the Flames, including the clubs memorable run to the 2004 Stanley Cup final. Kiprusoff said he made the decision at the end of last season, but took the summer to be "100 per cent sure." "Its an important decision for me personally, my family, the Flames organization and fans," Kiprusoff said in a release. "Ive been very lucky to have spent 10 years of my career in Calgary. There is no better place to live and play." A native of Turku, Finland, Kiprusoff holds team records for wins (305), games played (576) and shutouts (41). With the Flames well out of the playoff picture, the team discussed dealing the veteran netminder at last seasons trade deadline. Although he didnt have a no-trade clause, Kiprosoff indicated that he would not report to another team if dealt. The Toronto Maple Leafs pushed hardest to acquire his services but were unable to convince Kiprusoff to leave southern Alberta. Calgary general manager Jay Feaster said Kiprusoff was adamant that he wanted to end his career with the Flames. "Miikka has been up front with us since the trade deadline that he wanted to finish his outstanding playing career as a Flames player, and that the 2013 season was going to be his last," Feaster said. "We, as an organization, made it clear to Kipper that we did not want him to make a rash or hasty decision. "We wanted to give him time to get refreshed during the summer and spend some additional time to make his decision." Kiprusoff spent parts of three seasons with the San Jose Sharks before being dealt to Calgary for a second-round draft pick in November 2003. The deal would help shape the franchise for the next 10 years. Kiprusoff finished that regular season with a modern-day NHL goals-against average record of 1.69 and continued his stellar play into the playoffs. He won 15 post-season games and had five shutouts while leading the Flames to within one victory of a Stanley Cup. He was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy that season and won the award two years later after finishing the 2005-06 campaign with a 42-20-11 record, a 2.07 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and a team record 10 shutouts. The Flames have fallen on hard times in recent years, having missed the playoffs the last four seasons. Kiprusoff struggled in the lockout-shortened 2013 campaign with an 8-14-2 record, 3.44 GAA and .882 save percentage. Calgary finished 13th in the Western Conference with just 42 points. Despite the lack of team success later in his career, Kiprusoffs numbers are still impressive. In 623 career regular-season games with Calgary and San Jose, he had a 319-213-71 record with a 2.49 GAA, a .912 save percentage and 44 shutouts. Kiprusoff also represented Finland at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. "Miikka Kiprusoff has been the backbone of the Calgary Flames since his arrival here in 2003, and every night for more than 70 nights per season, his magnificence between the pipes gave the team a chance to win," Feaster said. "He inspired hope and confidence, and he made those around him better players as a result of his brilliance. "Miikka will take his place in the pantheon of great NHL goaltenders, and his place in Flames history is secure." The Flames, who are in rebuilding mode, hired former Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke last week to be their president of hockey operations. Taijuan Walker Jersey . Chelsea ripped apart Hull inside 25 minutes at Stamford Bridge, with the early goals from Oscar and Frank Lampard securing a 2-0 victory. While Lampard had earlier missed a penalty, Roberto Soldado had no such trouble from the spot for Tottenham, scoring on his debut to clinch a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. Andrew Chafin Jersey . - After spending the morning in the hospital, Logan Couture gave the San Jose Sharks the spark they needed. http://www.diamondbackssale.com/diamondbacks-curt-schilling-jersey/ . Unfortunately for the Cleveland Cavaliers, James Harden was in the building. Adam Jones Diamondbacks Jersey . Bookies were offering odds of 13/1 before kickoff that the home team Houston Dynamo would prevail by three goals to nil. Caleb Joseph Diamondbacks Jersey . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost .Louis van Gaal will be sorely missed by Manchester Uniteds youngsters, according to former Red Devils defender Jonny Evans. United sacked Van Gaal on Monday evening after two frustrating years at the Old Trafford and is expected to be succeeded by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. Saturdays FA Cup triumph over Crystal Palace was the Dutchmans first piece of silverware at the club and Evans expects his absence to be felt most by the group of youngsters he brought through from the academy into the United first-team squad. Van Gaal handed Premier League debuts to a number of Uniteds academy stars this season, including soon-to-be England international Marcus Rashord, and Evans insists his former manager is an extremely popular figure among the players at Old Trafford, despite his troubles at the club. Im pleased for Van Gaal that he won the FA Cup, Evans told Sky Sports News HQ.I think hes a very good coach and I was pleased to see his team win something. LVGs key moments Where did it all go wrong for Louis van Gaal? A lot of players will be sad to see him leave in a way, esppecially the younger players.dddddddddddd.Hes brought a lot of younger players into the squad and given them opportunities. He was very brave and very good at doing that.Evans joined West Brom last summer after nine years at United after initially coming through their esteemed academy. Evans spent nine years at Manchester United The Northern Ireland international did not feature in Van Gaals plans and has admitted the Dutchman was perhaps not the big personality that United need.With Mourinho is line to take charge before the weekend, Evans believes he could be the perfect fit at United.I think its something over the years people have been expecting to happen, he said.Hes definitely got the personality and the charisma for it. Sometimes a club like Manchester United need a big personality and Mourinho fits that bill. Also See: Blind disappointed to see LVG go Ancelotti: Mourinho will make impact Bruce critical of United Cantona: Utd have wrong man ' ' ' |
m and many of its fans. The 36-year-o
