2023 NHL Awards: Pekka! chants break out as Nashville Predators legend presents Vezina
Legendary Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne could hear his name echo in his former hockey home during the 2023 NHL Awards on Monday.
Rinne, who retired after the 2021-22 season, was on stage at Bridgestone Arena to present the Vezina Trophy, annually awarded to the NHL's best goalie.
That's when the cheers began.
Pekka! Pekka! Pekka!
Rinne was welcomed to a standing ovation from the home crowd.
Pekka Rinne and Dustin Lynch are introduced. Plenty of fans on both sides of the arena are standing and chanting. #Preds #Smashville pic.twitter.com/hKsbXvBZNH
— Jeff Middleton (@jjmid04) June 27, 2023
Rinne, who played for the Predators for his entire career, was a four-time finalist for the Vezina and won after the 2017-18 season. He was vital in the Predators first Stanley Cup Final run in the 2017-18 season, when they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.
The Finland national is considered to be the greatest goalie in franchise history and was one of the best goalies in the NHL in his 15 season career. His No. 35 jersey was retired in 2022, making him the first Predator to receive the honor.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 2023 NHL Awards: Pekka chants break out as Rinne presents Vezina Trophy
