There are few Nashville Predators more beloved than longtime goaltender Pekka Rinne.
In fact, there may be none.
His success combined with the team’s upward trajectory since his arrival have cemented him as the inevitable first player in franchise history to see his number hanging in the rafters.
While stars and fan favorites like Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Patric Hornqvist, PK Subban, and others have come and gone, Rinne has been the one constant on the Nashville roster.
This Rinne gamer is from fairly early in his career, and unfortunately due to number of games it was worn in (and it’s dark color) doesn’t show a ton of wear.
While there are a few marks, including a sizable one on the crest, none of them created a reliable photomatch.
The only match discovered by myself and MeiGray was to a set of loose threads on the left sleeve on the inside of the #5.
The lone photomatch to Pekka Rinne’s 2009-2010 Alternate Set 1 jersey.
The Preds wore their Alternate Set 1 jerseys in 6 games from 11/27/09 to 1/6/10. Rinne only played in five of those contests, including once in relief for Dan Ellis on 12/5/09.
Pekka made 132 saves on 144 shots for a .916 save percentage while wearing this sweater. Unfortunately, the Preds went a pitiful 1-3-1 in those five games.