Flames to retire Miikka Kiprusoff’s No. 34 jersey

“Today we are proud to build on the Flames legacy by paying tribute to one of the all-time greats in Flames history. On behalf of the Flames ownership and the organization, we congratulate Miikka on an amazing career and this well-earned and rare achievement,” Flames general manager Craig Conroy, who played with Kiprusoff in Calgary, said Tuesday.

“We are thrilled to have his number 34 deservingly displayed at the Scotiabank Saddledome so Flames fans can celebrate his contributions for years to come. And for me, personally, it was a privilege to have been his teammate. Under that mask was a fierce competitor who gave us the confidence and an opportunity to win every night. Thank you and congratulations Kipper.”

The San Jose Sharks originally selected Kiprusoff in the fifth round (No. 116 overall) of the 1995 NHL Draft. The six-foot-one goaltender made his NHL debut with the Sharks during the 2000–01 season and spent parts of four seasons in the Bay Area before being traded to the Flames on November 16, 2003.

Kiprusoff immediately emerged as a star goaltender in Calgary, setting a modern-day NHL record with a 1.69 goals-against average in 38 games with the team during the 2003–04 season. The Turku, Finland product raised his game to an entirely new level in the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs, leading the Flames to Game 7 of the final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“I loved my time in Calgary,” Kiprusoff said. “The fans are amazing and it’s a wonderful place to live and play. Hockey really means something here and I was proud to wear the Flaming C and call Calgary my home for nine years. I would like to thank the Flames ownership, the organization, and the fans for my time in Calgary and for this tremendous honor.”

Kiprusoff won the Vezina Trophy in 2006 as the NHL’s top goaltender and was named a finalist on two other occasions. He represented Finland on the national stage numerous times, including at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

The Flames have previously retired three numbers: No. 9 (Lanny McDonald), No. 12 (Jarome Iginla), and No. 30 (Mike Vernon). The club has also raised No. 2 (Al MacInnis) and No. 25 (Joe Nieuwendyk) to the rafters at the Scotiabank Saddledome as part of the “Forever a Flame” program.