Pekka Rinne, the longtime netminder who guarded the Nashville Predators' crease for fifteen seasons, has been selected for the Hockey Hall of Fame's Class of 2026.
A Predators First
He becomes the first player in franchise history to spend his entire NHL career with the Predators and still earn a place among the sport's elite.
Rinne's breakthrough came in 2018 when he captured the Vezina Trophy as the league's most valuable goaltender, capping a career that also featured a run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.
On the international stage, he backstopped Finland to a silver medal at the 2014 IIHF World Championship and was named tournament MVP, a performance that cemented his reputation as a world‑class keeper.
Numbers That Tell a Story
Rinne retired with 369 career wins and 60 shutouts, statistics that place him among the most durable and consistent goaltenders of his era.
A Class of Legends
The 2026 induction class also features forward Patrice Bergeron, goaltender Carey Price, power‑forward Keith Tkachuk, coach Cindy Curley and executive Brian Burke, each of whom left an indelible mark on the game.
The ceremony will take place in November 2026 in Toronto, where Rinne will join his fellow inductees on the hallowed stage.