Due to the absence of goaltender Jeremy Swayman due to illness, the Boston Bruins turned to a very familiar face during practice on Thursday: none other than Tuukka Rask.
The retired Finn donned his kit for the first time in ages to support his former team. On social media, the Bruins stated that Rask was the emergency goaltender for one day only, but the National League confirmed that this was not in an official capacity.
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So don’t expect him to jump into the fray. Linus Ullmark will be in front of the Boston goal in the evening duel against the Buffalo Sabres. Brandon Bussi was also recalled from the American League to back up.
Rask, 36, hung up his skates in February 2022 after playing four games for the Bruins during the 2021-22 season. After recovering from surgery, he returned to the team in January, but a month later his name landed on the injured list again. Today he is an ambassador for the Bruins.
“Tuukka wasn’t bad, was it? He hasn’t practiced in two years,” head coach Jim Montgomery said at a news conference.
“He was good,” added striker Trent Frederic. I didn’t score against him. I shot in his direction twice, twice zero. It’s been two years since I last outsmarted him. He looked good.”
Rask did not speak to the media. In fact, he just stormed over and said, “Happy Holidays.”
The former first-round pick holds the records for games played (564) and wins (308) for a goaltender in franchise history. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2014 and the William Jennings in 2020.