Former Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Champion signs new deal overseas
Photo credit: Chicago Tribune
A former Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup champion signed a new deal overseas, likely confirming the end of his NHL career.
The Chicago Blackhawks acquired the goaltender Spencer Knight from the Florida Panthers at the last trade deadline in the hopes that he will be able to bring the team into a Stanley Cup contention position for many years, like we saw in the Corey Crawford years.
At the time, Crawford could count on a solid backup in Antti Raanta. While his name was never engraved on the Stanley Cup because he didn't take part in enough games in the season or the playoffs, Raanta still played an important role in Chicago.
As a backup, he finished his last season in Chicago with a .936 save percentage and 1.89 goals against average in 14 games.
Raanta ended up moving on from the Blackhawks and spent the next 10 years playing for the New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes, and Carolina Hurricanes.
Then, last year, he signed a deal in the Swiss League, hinting at the end of his NHL career.
Now, it was announced that Raanta, 36, agreed on the terms of another one-year deal in professional hockey. Indeed, he will report to Rauma Lukko in the SM-Liiga, in Finland, his hometown.
In an official press release from the organization, Raanta shared comments:
"Of course, I feel a little nervous about returning home, but at the same time I'm really excited and have found some peace - now I know where I'm going and I'll have the opportunity to play in Rauma again.
It is known here that there is a chance to win. The framework and the team here are in such a way that we are very close to that ultimate goal and championship.
I have also heard a lot of good things about the entire organization and how things are handled here."
It is known here that there is a chance to win. The framework and the team here are in such a way that we are very close to that ultimate goal and championship.
I have also heard a lot of good things about the entire organization and how things are handled here."
While many already gave up on seeing Raanta back in the NHL, it appears confirmed now that he won't return to North America to pursue his hockey career.
| POLL | ||
MAI 14 | 200 ANSWERS Former Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Champion signs new deal overseas Do you think Antti Raanta will return to the NHL as a coach? | ||
| Yes | 82 | 41 % |
| No | 118 | 59 % |
| List of polls | ||
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