Jersey Retirement Perfect Conclusion to Rinne's Legendary Preds Career

Roman Josi was right.
Earlier in the week, the Predators captain and teammate of Pekka Rinne's for 10 seasons predicted the former goaltender - never one to seek out the spotlight - would likely be uncomfortable with all of the attention on Thursday in Nashville.
When Rinne was told of Josi's forecast, he, with a grin, responded with: "To say the least."

But the beloved Finn also knew this was how things had to be as he made the rounds to commemorate the jersey retirement ceremony, his No. 35 forever enshrined in franchise history, never to be worn again.
Those digits took their rightful place in the Bridgestone Arena rafters on Thursday evening with Rinne, his family, friends, teammates and thousands of his biggest fans looking on.
Just like every single one of his game days over the past 15 years, Rinne's morning began in the Predators locker room, a chance to speak to Preds players who still made him feel as if he belongs there with them.
"I had time to sit down with them and spend a few minutes with the guys… and they still consider me one of them," Rinne said. "That means the world to me. I mean, teammates, that's your family. It means a lot to me. I don't think I'm at my comfort level when it's about me, but in saying that, I realize that it's a once in a lifetime thing, and I'm going to take it all in. I'm extremely proud of it."
Predators Head Coach John Hynes revealed Rinne simply took the time to fill the Preds in on how his life has changed since retirement - and what it's like to be a father to young Paulus, something Rinne cherishes every day.
"The little fella is a year and two months now, and it's the best time," Rinne said. "Being a dad is the best… For so long, hockey was the number one thing in my life, and that obviously changed when my son was born. It changes you, but it's been awesome."

Rinne's son, as well as his fiancée, Erika, his parents, Jukka and Helena, his sisters, Anna and Paivi, and upwards of 50 other family members and best friends all made the journey from Finland to witness the event, and a number of his former teammates from his time spent with the Predators.
They were all there as Rinne made his way to the temporary stage on the blueline, a chance to spend one more night on the ice in Nashville.
A standing ovation - the first of many on the evening - greeted Rinne as he stepped to the podium, remarks in hand, flashing his trademark smile as the crowd chanted his name.
He thanked the Predators fans - "the best in the League," as he called them - for their undying support, always there to pick him up when he needed it most.
He thanked Preds General Manager David Poile - the man who drafted him in the eighth round in 2004 - for changing "my life forever."
He thanked his parents for their hard work and sacrifice, for their love and support, to allow him to play the game he's always adored.
He thanked his sisters for their contributions as well, calling his journey to reach the NHL "a family effort," one that wouldn't have been possible without them.
He thanked his fiancée, his "best friend" and the "best mother" to their son - someone who has seen him at his best and his worst, never leaving his side.
He thanked his little boy, acknowledging Paulus wouldn't remember the night at his young age, but adding he can't wait to bring him back to Nashville one day and show him "your old man's No. 35 up in the rafters."

He thanked his coaches, including Preds Goaltending Coach Ben Vanderklok, who was near tears watching from the bench, for giving him the "best years of my career."
He thanked the trainers and equipment staff for their tireless work to keep him at his best - people that are "family to me."
He reminisced on his career, how the Predators evolved from a "small-market team to a Stanley Cup contender every year," how Nashville became a hockey town right before his eyes.
And yet, he had so much to do with that movement, more than he'll probably ever realize, too classy to heap any praise on himself.
But as his address wound down, he closed with a simple statement, one that elicited the loudest cheer of all.
"Nashville will always be my home," Rinne said, "and I'll always be a Nashville Predator."
Then, he took his spot just outside of the goal crease he defended for so many years, and alongside Erika and Paulus, he watched his No. 35 take its spot in Predators lore.
Josi was right. Rinne didn't ask for any of this. But no one has ever deserved it more.