[News] Thank you #34! - Miikka Kiprusoff officially retires -

[Ardor]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

... Your influence on Calgary Flames and its fans simply cannot be overstated...

I took my son (DJ) to his first Flames game 2 years ago (he was 8 yrs old). Up to that point, he had not had any desire to play the game. He was mesmerized watching Kipper "stand on his head", and from that day on, wanted to be a goalie "like Kipper"!

He's now in his second year of minor hockey, as a goalie! I'm so proud that he idolizes (and was able to witness in person) one of the greatest netminders of our generation!

Thanks Kipper for keeping us in every game, for the constant 'awe' you kept us in with your miraculous saves, for the calming affect you had on the team and fans just by flipping up the mask, casually leaning on the crossbar, taking a 'swig', and checkin' out the jumbo-tron . . . but most of all, thanks for the example and role-model you've been for the next generation! Retired, or not . . . you're still DJ's favorite goalie, and always will be!!

[JD]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Should have won the Conne Smythe in the Flames losing effort IMO. Some of the games he stole during that run were out of control. 40+ shots multiple times.

Not to take anything away from Kipper, but the way people remember that playoffs is becoming clouded. Calgary was an excellent defensive hockey team that year. I just did a quick check, and there were only 2 games with 40+ shots; the triple OT Game 6 against the Canucks and that wild game on Mother's Day, Game 1 against the Sharks where Montador won it in OT. The vast majority of the remaining games, the Flames held the opposition to under 25 shots.

Even I thought for sure there was a Detroit game or two where the Flames were shellacked with shots, but not that year.

But that doesn't mean he wasn't absolutely dominant. That year and in 2006 when he won the Vezina. Amazing goalie.

[UK flame]

Just heard the sad but expected news. I along with everyone else who managed to see him in action should be thankful we were around to witness him one of the greats of the game. He'll be talked about for years to come!

Thanks Kipper!

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by JD

Not to take anything away from Kipper, but the way people remember that playoffs is becoming clouded. Calgary was an excellent defensive hockey team that year. I just did a quick check, and there were only 2 games with 40+ shots; the triple OT Game 6 against the Canucks and that wild game on Mother's Day, Game 1 against the Sharks where Montador won it in OT. The vast majority of the remaining games, the Flames held the opposition to under 25 shots.

Even I thought for sure there was a Detroit game or two where the Flames were shellacked with shots, but not that year.

But that doesn't mean he wasn't absolutely dominant. That year and in 2006 when he won the Vezina. Amazing goalie.

True about the shot I guess, but remember the team plays with a poise with Kiprusoff. Any other goalie for the previous decade (except a smalls stretch with Turek) the team never really trusted their goalie and you'd see them running around a lot more.

[nik-]

I hope he stays in Calgary, even if it's as a stretching coach haha.

Likely the best goalie we'll ever have. 34 to the rafters please Ken King.

[Northendzone]

wow where is the DISLIKE button......this certainly came out of left field.

Hopefullly the Flames can adjust from a personell point of view

[Jake]

Thanks for your years of service Kipper. Some of my best memories as a Flames fan are are because of you. You are the best goalie in Calgary Flames history!

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

wow where is the DISLIKE button......this certainly came out of left field.

Hopefullly the Flames can adjust from a personell point of view

[$ven27]

Damn dust is in my eye..

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

wow where is the DISLIKE button......this certainly came out of left field.

Hopefullly the Flames can adjust from a personell point of view

How did this come out of left field?

He said months ago he was going to retire, it was just never made official until today.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by codynw

How did this come out of left field?

He said months ago he was going to retire, it was just never made official until today.

He's just being an a-hole.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I'm still so ####ing annoyed that the Blue Jays didn't land Darvish.

[undercoverbrother]

Great in spite of the team in front of him

[dobbles]

many of you know I am a wings fan in addition to my time spent as a baby flames season ticket holder which brought me to this forum.

i still use the 04 series played by kipper as the definition of great goaltending. so many times, when talking about goalies, we talk about them letting in goals that weren't their fault. they were deflections, screens, lucky bounces, etc. but in that series, in addition to stopping pretty much every shot he was 'supposed' to, he stopped almost all the shots he had no business getting to.

so when i see a goal go in, i think to myself, 'would that have made it in during the 04 series?' and that always can tell me if a goalie is playing lights out or not.

while it took several years for me to stop hating the flames for what they did to the wings, he always had my respect even as i clenched my teeth in hatred!

[kspec]

It's been stated so many times in this thread but; THANK YOU!! Miika for all the great memories especailly 2004

[Bertuzzied]

Without a doubt the GREATEST FLAME EVER!!!!
THanx for saving the franchise Kipper!!!

[Fischy13]

A big thank you to Kipper, great career!

On a related note, is there a cap hit for him this year? I know he was younger than 35 when he signed his last deal, but so was Luongo and Richards, and there would be penalties for them if they retired on their deals. Anyone know the difference?

[Yamer]

My favorite Flame of all time. Sad day for sure, made no easier by knowing this was coming.

Thanks for everything Kipper, I'll miss you. Best of luck in all your future ventures.

[sun]

One of the best. He'll be sorely missed.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by dobbles

many of you know I am a wings fan in addition to my time spent as a baby flames season ticket holder which brought me to this forum.

i still use the 04 series played by kipper as the definition of great goaltending. so many times, when talking about goalies, we talk about them letting in goals that weren't their fault. they were deflections, screens, lucky bounces, etc. but in that series, in addition to stopping pretty much every shot he was 'supposed' to, he stopped almost all the shots he had no business getting to.

so when i see a goal go in, i think to myself, 'would that have made it in during the 04 series?' and that always can tell me if a goalie is playing lights out or not.

while it took several years for me to stop hating the flames for what they did to the wings, he always had my respect even as i clenched my teeth in hatred!

It's interesting that you choose that series, because I think the real display of goaltending against the Wings was the 07' series. That series would have went down as one of the most brutal beatings in playoff history if it wasn't for Kiprusoff. The Flames lost the series anyway, but the level of play by everyone other than Kipper was a disgrace and he turned that into a 6 gamer pretty much single handed.

Games of 46, 51 and 55 shots against, the lowest shot total by the Wings for a game was 30 ... god that series was an embarrassment.