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Kiprusoff informs Finnish national team of retirement plans (Updated)

Miikka Kiprusoff

Calgary Flames’ goalie Miikka Kiprusoff, from Finland, leans on the goalpost during a break in the closing seconds of third period NHL hockey action against the Anaheim Ducks in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday March 30, 2011. Anaheim won by a score of 4-2. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press - Larry MacDougal)

AP

Thirty-six-year-old goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff still has one more season left on his contract with the Calgary Flames, but he might not play.

Kiprusoff told the Finnish national team that he was ready to retire, according to Urheilusanomat’s Juha Hiitelä and STT-Lehtikuva’s Mikael Hoikkala.

“If Calgary has not announced it, you guys can do that,” Kiprusoff reportedly said.

The Flames haven’t announced his retirement. In fact, if he really has made a decision, that would be news to the team, Sportsnet’s John Shannon reported.

That being said, if Kiprusoff has decided to call it a career, it wouldn’t shock them. Flames GM Jay Feaster recently confirmed that the netminder was leaning towards retirement.

Kiprusoff struggled mightily in 2013 with a 3.44 GAA and .882 save percentage in 24 games.

If this is the end of his career, he’ll be retiring with 319 wins, 2.49 GAA, and .912 save percentage in 623 career games. He was also the winner of the Vezina Trophy in 2006.

Update (12:32 p.m. ET)

Following is a statement from Flames general manager Jay Feaster:

“As we indicated when we addressed the media on June 14th, having just spoken with Miikka at that time, we realized that if pushed for an answer Miikka would have said that he was finished with his professional career. In light of our most recent meeting with him, the statement attributed to him by the Finnish National Team does not come as a surprise. However, as we have said consistently, we will continue our dialogue with Miikka.”