Goalie Tomas Vokoun to retire from NHL after 16 seasons
Goalie Tomas Vokoun, most recently of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has decided to retire after going unsigned this season and missing last season due to health issues, Czech hockey reporter Zdenek Janda reported on Sunday night.
Vokoun, 38, was selected in the ninth round of the 1994 NHL draft by the Montreal Canadiens. While in the NHL, Vokoun appeared in 700 games, in which he earned a 300-288-78 record with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
• CAZENEUVE: Emergency goalies-dealing with NHL's dire roster scenario
He played eight seasons with the Nashville Predators, but also appeared in 248 games with the Florida Panthers, for whom he holds records for goaltender appearances and saves. Vokoun also spent time with the Washington Capitals and the Penguins in recent seasons.
Vokoun missed most of the 2013-2014 season with Pittsburgh due to blood clots. He reportedly regained his health before the current season, but turned down several offers in hopes of finding what his agent described as "the right situation."
• Rangers beat Oilers 2-0 for 3rd straight win
Vokoun recorded 51 shutouts during his career, but appeared in only 22 postseason games and never won a Stanley Cup. However, he did play in two NHL All-Star games and won gold with the Czech Republic at the 2005 and 2010 World Championships and bronze at the 2004 World Cup and 2006 Olympics.
- Christopher Woody