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 report Zdenek Janda reported on Sunday night.

SI Wire | Dec 15, 2014

Goalie Tomas Vokoun to retire from NHL after 16 seasons /

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.

G Tomas Vokoun (38) calls it a career after 16 NHL seasons. Confirmed for Czech daily Sport. "I think I can be proud of the career I had..."
— Zdenek Janda (@zdenek_janda) December 15, 2014

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: "My family is priority. I had some offers but it was like: Maybe. We will see. I didn´t want to travel round the clubs and wait..."
— Zdenek Janda (@zdenek_janda) December 15, 2014

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

Published Dec 15, 2014

SI WIRE

Delivering breaking sports news in real time.