Tuukka Rask ready to step up as Boston Bruins no. 1 Goaltender after Tim Thomas exit
Tuukka Rask, who was recently signed by Boston Bruins for just one year, is ready to step up and take the responsibility of being his side’s number one goaltender after Tim Thomas decided to leave Boston Bruins.
The 25-year-old Rask is not worried about his duration of the contract and hopeful that he will show a performance by which he will earn a long term contract and will remain Boston Bruins first choice goalie for years to come.
Most of Rask’s last season was affected by injuries which allowed him to play just 23 games, but his performance in those games was phenomenal as he had an average of 2.05 goals against him in every match.
Since signing with Boston Bruins in 2007, the Finnish goaltender has played just 102 NHL games over a period of five years. He made four appearances in 2007-2008 season, only one in 2008-2009 season, 45 in 2009-2010 season, which were his most in one season
in these five years, 29 in 2010-2011 and 23 in last season which shows that he has not got full games in any season, mainly because he was not first choice goalie or injuries.
But now, since Tim Thomas has left after 10 years of service and playing just less than 400 games, it is time for Rask to take his place.
Born in Savonlinna, Finland, Rask told that he had waited so much for becoming a starter and it would be interesting how he would handle it and face this challenge. He also told that he would have fun as he said,
"You know, I’ve been waiting for a few years now. It’s going be interesting to see how I handle it and it’s going be a challenge, but I’m always up for a challenge and you've just got to make the most of it and have fun."
Talking about Thomas, 6-foot-3, 171 pounder told that he was not expecting Thomas to do it. He appreciates that Thomas wants to be with his family but he will miss him as a friend as he said,
"I mean I wasn’t expecting him to do that, obviously, but I really appreciate what he’s done and I appreciate his decision to want to be with the family and take some time off hockey”.
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