Tuukka Rask speaks about what went into his decision to retire
Tuukka Rask has had time to reflect on his retirement from the Boston Bruins and NHL, and he's at peace with his decision.
The longtime Bruins goaltender called it a career in February after attempting a comeback from hip surgery. He suffered a setback in his return, prompting him to walk away from the game after 15 seasons.
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Rask opened up about the hip injury and his decision to retire on Thursday.
"It couldn’t hold the everyday grind — practicing and playing. That’s what I found out pretty quickly,” Rask told reporters. “I felt really good during the rehab. I was skating, started twice a week, going three times a week, four times a week and it was fine. But I was by myself or with the coach with one guy shooting so it's a little different from live action in a game or practice. And then playing that Anaheim game, I kind of stretched and tweaked my groin and hip a little bit and it just kept aggravating even more. And then it was kind of time to be honest with yourself.
"I figured that I could have kept pushing, but what’s the benefit for me playing at 60% and kind of taking time off, taking a week off here, taking two weeks off, kind of taking a spot away from (Jeremy Swayman). So I just figured it’s more beneficial for everybody to call it. I had a great career, and I have no regrets.”
Rask, 35, spent all 15 of his NHL seasons with the Bruins. He retires as the franchise leader in wins (308) and saves (14,345). The 2013-14 Vezina Trophy winner helped Boston to three Stanley Cup Final appearances, once as Tim Thomas' backup in 2011 and twice as the starting goaltender in 2013 and 2019.
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The Bruins will honor Rask with the ceremonial puck drop before Thursday night's game vs. the New Jersey Devils.