Antti Raanta reveals he refused to sign with one specific Canadian team this off-season
Goaltender Antti Raanta revealed that he refused to sign with one specific Canadian team this off-season.
There's a general belief accross the National Hockey League that some players don't want to play in Canada for financial reasons. With the high taxes, it's easy to understand why.
However, Antti Raanta refused to sign with a Canadian team for a whole other reason.
Indeed, a few weeks ago, Raanta refused to sign with the Vancouver Canucks because he doesn't have the "fire" anymore and wants to spend time with his family in Europe.
At 35 years old, he doesn't want to compete for a lineup spot anymore, especially considering he could end up in the AHL.
"I knocked it down right away and announced that I've kind of made up my mind that I won't be going there anymore," said Raanta, as per Ilta-Sanomat (translated from Finnish). "A few hours later, suddenly I was on a Zoom call with (goalkeeping coach) Marko Torenius and the general manager. It would have been more of a trial."
"There is no such thing as a fire anymore, that I would go there tooth and nail to fight for a place."
"The role of second or third goaltender and possibly playing in the AHL was on offer. It's not necessarily the case of playing up to 60 games in the AHL at the age of 35 and just waiting for maybe someone to fail or get injured, then you'll be in trouble."
"There is no such thing as a fire anymore, that I would go there tooth and nail to fight for a place."
"The role of second or third goaltender and possibly playing in the AHL was on offer. It's not necessarily the case of playing up to 60 games in the AHL at the age of 35 and just waiting for maybe someone to fail or get injured, then you'll be in trouble."
Professional atletes often take pride in competing as hard as they can, butit's not what Raanta wants anymore:
"Now was a good time to return to Europe with my family."
Raanta spent 10 years in the NHL despite never being drafted by a team. He played 275 games in the NHL, with a 139-80-29 record, 0.915 SV% and 2.48 GAA for the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes, and Carolina Hurricanes.
We wish him the best going into the new chapter of his life.
Source: Ilta Sanomat
Finnish legend reveals: NHL career overn.
Finnish legend reveals: NHL career overn.
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SEPTEMBRE 15 | 131 ANSWERS Antti Raanta reveals he refused to sign with one specific Canadian team this off-season Do you think Antti Raanta will reutn to the NHL as a coach? | ||
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| No | 112 | 85.5 % |
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