Preds Top 20, No. 4: Predators Unveil Statue of Pekka Rinne

The Nashville Predators 2022-23 season has officially come to an end, and what a season it has been. From momentous firsts to bittersweet farewells, this year was full of memorable moments both on and off the ice.

We've already taken a look back at theTop 10 goals scored by the Predators this season. Now, we're counting down the Top 20 moments and milestones that highlighted a special season of hockey in SMASHVILLE.

We'll take our trip down memory lane in chronological order, so let's go back a few months to continue our countdown at No. 4.

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One of the most impactful and beloved players in franchise history, Pekka Rinne stands tall in Predators lore. Now, an 11-foot, 900-pound bronze likeness of the former goalie stands tall in the Bridgestone Arena plaza.

Rinne, who played his entire 683-game NHL career in Nashville, retired in 2021 after 15 seasons. Last season, his No. 35 jersey became the first and only retired jersey in the history of the Predators organization. Now, he is the first Europe-born goalie to have a statue honoring him in North America.

"This is surreal," Rinne said in front of hundreds of cheering fans at the unveiling ceremony on March 25. "Having my jersey retired last year was an unbelievable honor. As a hockey player I didn't think anything bigger could happen, and it means the world to me that my jersey's up there in the rafters."

Rinne leads the Predators franchise in nearly every goalie category, including games played (683), wins (369), goals-against average (2.43), saves (17,627) and shutouts. He was a four-time Vezina Trophy finalist as the top goalie in the NHL, winning the award at the end of the 2017-18 season.

"I feel so humbled," Rinne said. "A guy from Kempele, Finland, a small city, and to come to Nashville and 16-17 years later have a statue, and the relationship I have with the organization, the city of Nashville, the fans … It means the world to me. It's not just a statue. Obviously, it's a lot more. But it is very meaningful."

The statue, crafted by Day One Predators fan and Season Ticket Citizen Scott Wise of Clarksville, sits atop a time capsule filled with trinkets, historical items and memorabilia celebrating Rinne's legacy. The time capsule, buried in a small hole beneath the statue's base, is set to be unearthed again in 35 years.

"The statute is not just representing me," Rinne said. "It's representing my family, the organization, the city of Nashville, the core values of our organization, hard work, community. It's representing the past players who have been in Nashville and players who are playing currently and players who are going to be Nashville Predators. I'm extremely proud, humbled, thankful. It's hard to put into words but again, I just want to thank everyone in such a special moment."

Worth a click:

No. 20: Cody Glass Makes the Team
No. 19: Roman Josi's Homecoming
No. 18: Perfect in Prague
No. 17: Return of the Mustard Cat
No. 16: Nashville's 900th Franchise Win
No. 15: Juuso Parssinen's NHL Debut
No. 14: David Poile Reaches 1,500 Wins
No. 13: Bridgestone Arena's 'Remarkable' Reopening
No. 12: Roman Josi Becomes Nashville's All-Time Leading Scorer
No. 11: Filip Forsberg Joins the 500-Point Club
No. 10: Juuse Saros Sets Franchise Saves Record
No. 9: Juuse Saros Shines at NHL All-Star Weekend
No. 8: P.K. Subban Returns to SMASHVILLE
No. 7: David Poile Hands the Reins to Barry Trotz
No. 6: Nashville's Busy Trade Deadline
No. 5: Luke Evangelista Lights the Lamp Twice in Vancouver