Tuukka Rask is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender who has had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2005 but was traded to the Boston Bruins in 2006. Rask spent several years playing in the minor leagues before becoming the Bruins' starting goaltender in the 2009-2010 season.
Rask quickly established himself as one of the top goaltenders in the NHL, earning a reputation for his calm demeanor and excellent positioning. He helped lead the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2013, where they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games. Rask was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs, despite being on the losing team.
Over the course of his career, Rask has been a consistent performer for the Bruins. He has been named to the NHL All-Star Game five times and has won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender once, in 2014. Rask has also been a key player for the Finnish national team, helping them win a bronze medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Despite his success, Rask has faced criticism from some fans and analysts for his performance in big games. He has been accused of being too passive in the net and not making enough big saves when it matters most. However, Rask has also had some outstanding performances in important games, such as his shutout in Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In addition to his on-ice success, Rask has also been praised for his off-ice contributions to the Bruins and the community. He has been involved in several charitable initiatives, including the Bruins' "Crash the Net" program, which provides equipment and ice time to underprivileged youth hockey players.
As of 2022, Rask is still an active player for the Bruins, although he has taken several breaks from the team in recent years. He briefly left the team during the 2020 playoffs to be with his family, and he took a leave of absence in 2021 to deal with a personal matter. Despite these absences, Rask remains a key player for the Bruins and one of the top goaltenders in the NHL.
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