Rask At Peace with Retirement Decision, Will Take Role with B's

BOSTON - Tuukka Rask knew it was time to be honest with himself.
Despite months of grueling rehabilitation following hip surgery last summer, Rask realized after a brief comeback with the Bruins in January that his body could no longer handle the everyday grind of an NHL season.
As such, the 35-year-old made the decision - which he called "an easy one" - to hang up his pads and retire after 15 seasons with the Black & Gold.

"I've always been pretty honest with myself. I didn't want to go out there and play 60 percent and just half-ass it, so to say," Rask said on Thursday night before dropping the ceremonial first puck ahead of the B's matchup against the Devils.
"At the end of the day, it was pretty easy. Obviously, it's never easy to make tough decisions like that. If you're honest with yourself, you can't play at the level your teammates and the crowd expects, then why would you push it?"
Rask practiced with the Bruins for a couple of months before signing a one-year contract with the club on January 11 and making his return to game action three days later with a 25-save victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. But the netminder played just three more games, the last a loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 24, during which he tweaked his groin and hip. It was shortly after that setback that Rask realized it was time to call it quits.
"I'm a guy who makes pretty quick decisions anyways. So, I wasn't weighing on that too long…it couldn't hold the everyday grind, practicing and playing, that's what I found out pretty quickly," said Rask, who announced his retirement on Feb. 9. "I felt really good during the rehab. I was skating, started twice a week, going three times a week, four times a week. It was fine, but I was by myself or with the coach or with one guy shooting.
"It's a little different from live-action in a game or practice. Playing that Anaheim game, I kind of stretched and tweaked my groin and hip a little bit and then it just kept aggravating even more and then it was just kind of time to be honest with yourself.
"I figured that I could've kept pushing but what's the benefit of me playing at 60 percent and taking time off, taking a week off here, taking two weeks off, and taking a spot away from [Jeremy Swayman]? I figured it's more beneficial for everybody to call it. I had a great career. I have no regrets."

Rask finishes his 15-year career as the Bruins' all-time leader among goaltenders in wins (308), postseason wins (57), games played (564), and postseason games played (104). The two-time NHL All-Star also won the Vezina Trophy in 2014, took home a bronze medal with Team Finland at the 2014 Winter Olympics, and was part of Boston's 2011 Stanley Cup championship team. Rask, who also helped lead the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Final in 2013 and 2019, ranks third in NHL history with a .921 save percentage behind Dominik Hasek and Ken Dryden (.922).
"I think it's just the whole ride," Rask said of his favorite memories. "I had the luxury of playing here my whole career. We had some great teams, made great friends over the years. I'm very grateful that I was part of that, so I think I look at it like the whole journey itself.
"Meeting a bunch of different people and playing with a lot of great guys, great players, that stands out the most. Obviously, winning the Cup, going to the Olympics, getting that experience, then playing in the Finals twice. Those are some memories that stand out as well."
In the nearly two months since his retirement announcement, Rask has been enjoying his role as a father and husband - and golfer - all of which have helped keep his competitive juices flowing.
"A lot of golf in the future, as much as I can," said Rask, who was joined during the pregame ceremony by his wife, Jasmiina, and three daughters, Vivien, Adelie, and Livia. "It takes a lot of energy to be home and trying to keep these kids in order. That would be enough for now. Our two-year-old, especially, is a lot of work.
"They are into dance and whatnot. They like to skate - I mean, if I have to go and spend my days at hockey rinks then so be it, but not really high up on my list."
In addition to his family duties, Rask will be remaining with the Bruins organization in a brand ambassador role, which among other duties will include him assisting the club's sponsorship team in hosting clients, fans, and guests during games and events. Rask added that his family plans to remain in the Boston area for the "foreseeable future."
"Whatever you want to call me, I'll be hanging out with sponsors, golfing, shaking hands in suites and whatnot," said Rask. "I've always been intrigued by the business side of things anyways. I don't know what the future holds, maybe I'll get into coaching, maybe not. For now, I'll be hanging out with sponsors."

Rask also said that even since his retirement, he has remained in touch with Swayman and is "looking forward to helping" mentor the second-year backstop as he continues his development, particularly when it comes to how to navigate life as the goalie of the Boston Bruins away from the ice.
"He's a great kid, he's got a great head on his shoulders, very talented," said Rask. "I was looking forward to that, being a mentor on the ice. Obviously, didn't work out that way but now when I'm on the other side not playing anymore, we still have that connection and we communicate. I try to help any way I can. And I think mostly from me to him, it's gonna be helping guide him mentally.
"I know what it's like to play here as a young goalie, there's a lot of pressure on you. I told him right after I retired, call me if you need anything, make sure you don't get too high or too low because it's easy to kind of snowball from that either way. That's where I'm looking forward to helping him out."
Rask, of course, knows well the adulation - and scrutiny - that comes with playing the position in Boston. And it's that passion from the Black & Gold faithful that helped drive him for the last decade and a half.
"In any sport this is a great city to play for, the fans are very supportive and into their sports," said Rask. "During the time I was playing it was great because we were doing good, the house was packed every night, so it just brings you that extra energy. They're always very, very supportive when they ran into you around town and saying how much they appreciate what we do on and off the ice.
"I feel like I have a great relationship with them. I'm looking forward to celebrating with a bunch of them in the stands tonight. A bunch of people are watching at home and I'm joining them on that side now. We can cheer together and chirp together. It's great. I'm happy to be on that side."