Rinne Grateful for Charitable Opportunities Following King Clancy Honor

Pekka Rinne said it himself - he hasn't spent countless hours and dollars over the years in Nashville, a place he holds so dear, to win awards.
Instead, the most popular player in Predators franchise history just knows finding a way to make a difference is simply the right thing to do.
But if anyone deserved to be awarded the NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy, an honor presented annually to the "player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community," it was Rinne.
On Monday night, the League made it official, the passionately charitable puck stopper chosen as the newest recipient of the trophy that perfectly recognizes Rinne's adoration for his organization and city.

"What an unbelievable honor," Rinne said Monday from his Nashville home. "It's a very humbling feeling. It's an honor to work with different charities and be involved in my community, and I've been fortunate to stay in the same city for such a long time. I feel like the team and the Preds Foundation have given me so many opportunities to get involved, so I really appreciate this."
Rinne, who was named a finalist alongside New Jersey's P.K. Subban and San Jose's Kurtis Gabriel, was chosen for the award by a committee of senior NHL executives led by Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.
By winning, the NHL made a $25,000 donation on Rinne's behalf to benefit the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund presented by Twice Daily - which works with the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt to raise funds and awareness for cancer research - a total that the Nashville Predators Foundation empowered by SmileDirectClub will match.

"We started the fund in the 2012-13 season, and we've raised over $3 million," Rinne said of the initiative he began alongside former Preds Captain Shea Weber. "That's our community, that's all the people who are helping us [raise money]. It's hockey fans, it's people who care for each other and it's amazing. Just being part of it, it's been truly special, and hopefully it's something that lasts a long time. I hope that it's something that continues eventually when I'm not playing hockey, but it is certainly something that makes me very proud."
The 38-year-old Rinne, who has spent his entire NHL career with the Predators over the past 13 full seasons, learned the importance of giving back during his younger days. In particular, Rinne named former Preds Head Coach - and current New York Islanders Head Coach - Barry Trotz as someone who had a lasting influence on him and showed what it looked like to use a platform for good.
"He was always encouraging guys to get involved," Rinne said of Trotz. "As a young player, you always believe in yourself that you can make a difference, and once you start putting yourself out there, you recognize and realize that it really can make a difference. I always look back, and I really want to thank Barry Trotz for setting an example for us."
Nashville's former bench boss was actively involved with the Best Buddies organization - a nonprofit advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities - and like many of his teammates, Rinne found a best buddy of his own.
In his very first full season with the team, Rinne met Mike Maguire, a man with Down syndrome. That encounter led the goaltender to foster a relationship with Best Buddies, and his bond with Maguire continues to this day.
Of all the connections made over the years, that connection between the two might just be the one Rinne cherishes the most.
"I've had my best buddy, Mike Maguire, for the past 10 years, and he truly is my best buddy," Rinne said. "He has an amazing family, and I feel like I'm part of their family. It's truly been special, and I wanted to mention him. I'm hoping he is seeing some of these clips somewhere [with the two of us], and I love him a lot… I feel like in my case, so many people have impacted me. I feel like I can't give that back to them, so I consider myself so fortunate to be in this position."

People like Maguire, along with the rest of the folks who call Nashville home, know they can count on Rinne no matter what. Over the past 15 months, however, they've never needed someone like Rinne more than ever.
In addition to the challenges brought about by the pandemic, Music City has dealt with tornadoes, floods and even a Christmas Day bombing, tragedies that have tested the resolve of those who reside in Middle Tennessee.
But Rinne, a Finn who wouldn't have even been able to identify Nashville on a map when he was drafted by the Preds all those years ago, embodies the spirit of the community and what happens when someone needs a hand.
"Nashville as a city has been through a lot," Rinne said. "It's just a resilient city, and it's a solid city, just neighbors helping neighbors and people helping each other out. It's a great community, and it's not only me, it's still the whole team. The whole city of Nashville was helping each other at the time of the crises, and it's just great to see. It's great to be part of that community. I'm proud to be living in Nashville, and I'm proud to call it home."
For as great as Rinne, a 2018 Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL's top goaltender, has been on the ice all these years, he's been just as impactful elsewhere in his adopted hometown.
Whether he's presenting a check for hundreds of thousands to give pediatric cancer patients a chance at a better life, or he's stopping by the same hospital unannounced just to say hello, Rinne has a knack for this kind of thing.
That's what makes him such an admired figure in these parts, and even after he's done playing one day, his legacy will live on because of how much he cares for those who need an assist every once in a while.
"These are special things, and it goes way deeper than just ice hockey," Rinne said. "It's a relationship, it's helping people, it's being part of the community, it's all those things… You grow up dreaming of playing in the NHL, and that already changes your life, but then along the way, you get to meet these amazing people. You get to be part of people's lives, and in some cases, you get to touch their lives, too. It's truly a special feeling."
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In honor of Rinne's award and the commitment he's shown to the Nashville community for nearly 15 years, the Predators are inviting fans to consider making a donation to the 365 Fund on his behalf. Fans can help the Predators Foundation reach its goal of $36,500 in donations by clicking
here
; more information more information about the 365 Fund can be found
here
.