Nov 9, 2009

NHL's Bruins Sign Rask To Contact Extension

Boston's Backup Goalie Rewarded With A Two Year Extension

The NHL's Boston Bruins signed backup goalie Tuukka Rask to a two-year contact extension on Thursday that will lock him up as a Bruin through the 2011-2012 NHL season. Although financial terms of the contract were not disclosed, the Bruins indicated that they were extremely happy with the deal and believe that Rask has a very promising future ahead of him in the National Hockey League. Currently he is serving as starting goaltender Tim Thomas' backup, but the Bruins expect to give him more and more game experience as the season progresses.

The signing of Rask is a great move by the Bruins. This can only help the team in the long run by keeping a quality backup goalie available to them should the need arise for him to fill in for Thomas, and at the same time, allow the franchise an opportunity to gage his talents and abilities on the professional level. That time will give them a better chance to assess his future potential as a starting NHL goaltender. Although Rask has spent most of the past two seasons with Providence of the AHL posting a 60-33-6 record with 5 shutouts in 102 appearances, he has appeared in 9 NHL games as Thomas' backup and been very impressive in doing so. The 22 year old native of Finland has accrued a 5-2-2 record with a 2.43 goals-against average in those games. He also posted his first shutout against Edmonton in his last start when the Bruins went on to pick up a 2-0 victory with Rask in the net. Being able to consistently compete in the NHL at such a young age given the limited amount of professional experience he has, makes Rask a sure bet to only get better and better with more ice time, and eventually grow into a quality starting goaltender in the very near future.

By Bryan Jackson
Staff Writer
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