Pekka Rinne is a Finnish ice hockey former goaltender who played for the Finnish National team, Nashville Predators, Dinamo Minsk, and Oulun Karpat. At the age of 42, Pekka Rinne has already left a huge mark as the 2015 World Championship Best Goaltender cum 2014 Wold Championship Most Valuable player among others.
In hockey, his height of 6 feet 5 inches; his butterfly style of goaltending; and his use of a smaller stick as compared to many other goaltenders couldn’t have left him out of the sight of lovers of hockey. While there was attention on his career at different points for the 17 years he was active professionally, there also has been attention on his private life. As such, questions regarding his parents, early life and whether he has a wife continue to come up.
Early Life of Pekka Rinne
The former hockey goaltender was born as one of the three children of Jukka and Helena Rinne on November 3, 1982, in Kempele, Finland.
Growing up with his two sisters Anna and Paivi, Rinne became interested in hockey. This was however largely influenced by his older cousins who were older and had a better experience with the game.
At hockey games, he would pay attention to the goalies and would come home to try his cousin’s goalie outfits. However, when he was 15, his height increased drastically and had to pause with the game. But he didn’t let his hockey dream turn to dust as he made a comeback only after a short period.
He Began His Hockey Career At The Age of 18
Rinne began his career playing for the junior team of Oulun Karpat of Finland between 2000 to 2003.
His fame began when he was drafted into NHL by the Nashville Predators in 2004. However, it was not until December 15, 2005, that he made his debut with the club.
With the Nashville Predators, he made a career highlight of becoming the second and only goaltender of the club to record a shutout. His career continued to bloom and his recognition was even wider.
Subsequently in 2012 after making a name for himself with Nashville Predators, he moved to play for Dinamo Minsk, Pekka Rinne played for Belarius of Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). His stay with the team was for barely a year before returning to NHL to play for the Predators.
For the Finland Ice hockey team, Rinnie also became its goaltender where he took part in many competitions and tournaments that include the 2016 Hockey World Cup.
Pekka Rinne Accolades
- He made the history of becoming the 67th goaltender to play a minimum of 500 NHL games.
- King Clancy Memorial Trophy (2021)
- NHL Fan Choice Award (Goal of the Year (2020)
- IIHF ALL-Time Finland Team (2020)
- 4x NHL All-Star Game (2019, 2018, 2016, 2014)
- NHL First All-Star Team (2018)
- Vezina Trophy (2018)
- Finnish Player of the Year (2017)
- In relation to games played, he became the fastest goaltender with a record of 30 wins in 39 games since the NHL decision to adopt the shootout (2015)
- World Championship Best Goaltender (2015)
- World Championship Most Valuable Player (2014)
- World Championship All-Star Team (2014)
- Oddset Hockey Games Winner (2014)
- The Hockey News, Patrick Roy Award (Best Goalie, 2013)
- NHL Second All-Second All-Star Team (2011)
- He led to Predators to their foremost Stanley Cup playoff series win in franchise history (2011)
- Rookie of the Month, February (2009)
- NHL YongStars Game at 2009 NHL All-Star Game (2009)
- 2x Kanada-Malja (Finnish Ice Hockey Championship, 2005, 2004), SM-Liiga
- 2nd Runners-up, SM-Liiga (2003)
Pekka Retired After 414 Victories With Nashville Predators
In July 2021, Pekka finally removed his hat of playing professional hockey for Nashville at the age of 38. He however did not leave without making the Ice hockey world feel his impact.
As per documentation, he left after 15 seasons, 772 games, 414 victories and more than 19 thousand pucks stopped. His contributions landed him number 35 to be retired by Nashville.
Even with high statistics, he had his low moments before retiring. One of those moments includes a time he had to miss the first four months of the 2006 season after he was attacked by unknown persons.
Pekka Rinne is Worth $15 Million
Many sources report his net worth differently from $4 million to $15 million. Since the former hockey goaltender has not accepted or refuted any claims, all there is to the public is a speculated estimation.
Nonetheless, he made his wealth majorly from playing hockey for more than a decade, He was able to make total career earnings of $64,1 million to make place him as number 81 in NHL high career earners.
See Also: 5 Richest Hockey Players and Their Shocking Net Worth
Breakdown of Rinne’s NHL Salary
- 2020-2021 – $4 million
- 2018-2019 – $6 million
- 2013-2018 – $7,000,000
- 2012-13 – $4,097,561
- 2011-12 – $4,000,000
- 2010-11 – $2,800,000
- 2009-10 – $725,000
- 2008-09- $575,000
Although this according to reports is what Pekka earned in the cause of his career, it is not the only wealth he has gathered in the progression of time.
Pekka spends his wealth on different things with many of them left private. Regardless, it is no rumour that charities are no new to the ways he spends his wealth. For instance, he was able to gather above $3 million and even won an award for his contributions.
Is Pekka Rinne Married?
At the time of this writing, Pekka is not married but has a fiancee known as Erika Parkko. Together, they have a son, Paulus Oliver Rinne who was born in 2020.
Before Erika, he had another fiancee, Kirsi Lehtosaari – a professional Finnish singer who contested at The Voice of Finland. However, the relationship ended in 2015, 2 years after they engaged in 2013.
Complete profile of Pekka Rinne
| Pekka Rinne | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pekka Rinne |
| Date of Birth | 3 November 1982 |
| Age | 42 years |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Birth place | Kempele, Finland |
| Nationality | Finnish |
| Education | NA |
| Profession | Former Professional Hockey Goaltender |
| Father | Jukka Rinne |
| Mother | Helena Rinne |
| Siblings | Anna Pyörälä and Päivi |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Spouse/Partner | NA |
| Girlfriend | Erika Parkko |
| Kids | Paulus Oliver Rinne |
| Estimated Net Worth: | $4 million to $15 million |
| Source of net worth | Hockey career |
| Height | Feet- 6ft 5in Meters- 1.96m Centimeters- 196cm |
| Weight | 98 kg (216 lbs) |
| Eye color | Dark Brown |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Social media |
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