Music: {allcanada} Report: Flames goalie Kiprusoff announces retirement

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

{allcanada} Report: Flames goalie Kiprusoff announces retirement

Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff has announced his retirement, according to a report out of Finland.

Finnish correspondent Juha Hiitela reported that Kiprusoff informed his country's national team of the decision.

"If Calgary has not announced it, you guys can do that," Kiprusoff is quoted as saying.

Kiprusoff recently told Flames general manager Jay Feaster he was leaning toward retirement, according to a report by Sportsnet.

Feaster released the following statement Tuesday after the quotes attributed to Kiprusoff became public: "As we indicated when we addressed the media on June 14, having just spoken with Miikka at that time, we realized that if pushed for an answer Miikka would have said that he was finished with his professional career. In light of our most recent meeting with him, the statement attributed to him by the Finnish National Team does not come as a surprise. However, as we have said consistently, we will continue our dialogue with Miikka."

The 36-year-old goaltender had one of his least successful seasons in 2012-13. He was limited to 24 games by injury and performance, and finished 8-14-2 with a 3.44 goals-against average and .882 save percentage.

Kiprusoff declined to be dealt at the NHL Trade Deadline, choosing instead to remain with the Flames, who did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Kiprusoff has a career record of 319-213-7-64, with a 2.49 GAA and .912 save percentage. His 305 wins, 41 shutouts and 576 games played are the most in franchise history.

The Flames gave backup Joey McDonald a one-year contract extension in April and reportedly will add Karri Ramo from the Kontinental Hockey League in July. The team also acquired prospect Reto Berra from the St. Louis Blues as part of the Jay Bouwmeester trade.

"It's going to be some big feet to fill," MacDonald, 33, told the Flames' website last month, "[Kiprusoff] has been here for a long time and has done a great job. If it happens [that I can start], great. They're going to bring probably a couple other goalies, too. My focus now is just to be ready and be 100 percent and give myself the best chance in training camp."

The Flames also have Leland Irving, Daniel Taylor, Joni Ortio, Laurent Brossoit and Jon Gillies in their system.