Former Goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff’s Jersey Finally To Be Retired By The Calgary Flames

By Jordan Long

The Calgary Flames start the 2023 season on October 11th when they host Winnipeg.  They look to improve on their 38-27-17 record.  A highlight of the 2023-2024 season is that they will retire  Miikka Kiprusoff’s number 34 on March 2nd.

            Kiprusoff started his career with the San Jose Sharks from 2000 to 2003.  During that time, he went 14 wins, 21 losses, and 3 ties. His goals against average for the Sharks was 2.84 and a save percentage of .897.  The Sharks dealt him on November 16th, 2003 to Calgary.  This gave Kiprusoff a chance to be a #1 goaltender for the Flames.

            Kiprusoff stayed with Calgary from  2003 until he retired following the 2013 season.  For the Flames, his regular season record stands at 305 wins, 192 losses, 64 overtime losses, and 4 ties. The wins are the most in Calgary’s history. His goals against average for the Flames ended at 2.46 with a save percentage of .913.     

His top year for the Flames was in 2009 when he won 45 games.  Kiprusoff didn’t even win the Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender.  Tim Thomas won it. Kiprusoff took home the Vezina Trophy in 2006 when he went 42 wins, 20 losses, and 11 overtime losses.

            Goaltenders want to play well in the postseason.  The Flames went to the playoffs 5 times with Kiprusoff.  In that time, he went 24-27 with a goals against average of 2.34 and a save percentage of .920.  The Flames advanced to the Stanley Cup Final in 2004.  They lost game 7 to the Tampa Bay Lightning

2-1. 

            In 2013 he left the game following an 8-14-2 record.  The 8 wins were his worst in a Flames’ uniform.  It showed he didn’t have it anymore.

            The Flames knew they needed to honor him by retiring his jersey to show he was one of the best to play for the franchise.  According to ESPN.com, Kiprusoff said,  “I am honored and humbled by this recognition of my career in Calgary. 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.”

            This was long overdue. Kiprusoff showed how valuable he was for the Flames during the time he played.  He had one great career.  It was time to retire his jersey.  Nobody will ever be able to wear his number ever again.  This is the highest honor.