Family Affair

It's going to be a magical night for the Kiprusoff family.

That goes without saying.

The wild reception that the magnificent Miikka, wife Seidi, and sons Aaro and Oskar (Päka) will get from the raucous C of Red at the Scotiabank Saddledome ice on March 2 for his jersey retirement will likely blow the roof off the barn.

And for the legendary Flames netminder, the chance to have his boys there with him to experience the celebration and bask in the moment will be better than any of the incalculable 10-bell saves he made during his illustrious career.

"My boys, Aaro (18) and Oskar (10 - who also goes by the nickname Päka), were too young to really understand how special it was to play in the NHL and how important the team and the players are to Calgary fans," he said. "I can't wait for March and to share this experience with my family."

Oskar - who was born here - will be especially amped up. This country holds a special place in his heart, said dad.

"My younger son, he was so young but he's proud Canadian - he has a Canadian passport," smiled Kiprusoff when talking to FlamesTV's Brendan Parker. "He's a soccer player and his dream is to play on Canadian soccer team."

Kipper - who went back home to Finland after his retirement in 2013 - has only made one return trip here since then, surprising the crowd during a game in 2019 and received, to no one's surprise, a hero's welcome.

"Everyone has been so great to me since Day 1 (in Calgary)," recalled Kiprusoff of the visit. "But that moment, that was fun. It was great to be back. Saw some old friends and I was able to make the game, so it was a great day."

Kiprusoff, of course, has always been a man of few words.

Instead, he let his play on the ice do all the talking.

So when he was informed the club was going to raise his jersey to the rafters, he was - understandably - at a loss for words.

"It was a weird feeling when I heard about it," he said "It's the biggest honour you can get, so I was kind of speechless first … it feels great, unbelievable, so happy."

That walk down memory lane since getting the call has been a wonderful stroll for him.

"Since I was informed, there have been so many favourite moments that come flooding back," he said. "The 2004 Stanley Cup run is the most vivid of course. We were so close to bringing another Cup to Calgary. That weekend will also be a good time to see so many former teammates from that run and relive those fond memories."

His sweater will sit alongside impressive company, including a few folks with special ties to him: his former captain Jarome Iginla, and fellow Flames goaltending icon Mike Vernon.

"To have my name and number hanging next to those great Flames players and especially my friend and legendary goalie Mike Vernon, is truly a highlight of my career," he said.

Before wrapping up his interview, he was asked about his thoughts on Iggy's new role with the team, and also about another former teammate, Craig Conroy, who now sits in the big chair as the team's new GM.

"I think Connie is going to be great on that job," said Kiprusoff. "And Iggy, too. Great to see them working with the Flames."