As an NHL goaltender, the road to becoming a starter is never easy. Just ask Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins.

Drafted 21st overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Rask never obtained the opportunity to play at any North American level of professional hockey by the Leafs and on June 24th, 2006 he was traded to the Boston Bruins for former Cader Trophy winner Andrew Raycroft. The Leafs felt they had their future secured with Justin Pogge in their pipeline. Pogge has since been traded and is now a member of the Carolina Hurricanes.

For Tuukka Rask, this was a blessing in disguise.

Rask started his career with the youth teams of his hometown club SaPKo. He then played in 26 games for the Tampere-based Ilves Jr. in the Finnish Junior League. He was the top ranked European goaltender heading into his draft year.

Rask played his last European ice hockey season as the number one goaltender for the Ilves senior team in the top-flight SM-liiga.

On May 5th, 2007 Rask signed a three year contract with the Bruins.

Number forty was called up from the American Hockey Leagues Providence Bruins to the Boston Bruins for the first time on November 5th, 2007. Just two weeks later, on November 20th, he recorded his first NHL win and in redemption type fashion. Rask earned his first NHL victory against the team that drafted in; a final of  4–2 on the road.

Surprisingly, this game foreshadowed what the Bruins acquired as a starting goaltender.

Due to the injury status of Manny Fernandez during the 2008-09 season, the Bruins were forced to once again re-call Rask from Providence (AHL). He has been with the big club ever since.

On January 31st, 2009, Rask played in his first and only game of the season for the Bruins that year – a 1-0 shutout performance over the New York Rangers.

On November 1st, 2009, Rask signed a two-year extension with the Bruins. He is now under contract with the team through the 2011-12 season.

This year, his first full season with the Bruins, Rask has played in 34 games. He is 16-9-4 with a 2.09 save percentage and a goals against average of .928.

The Boston Bruins have quite the future ahead of them with the 23 year old Finnish goaltender. If this season is any indication of what Rask will accomplish as a starter for the team, the future looks solid.

Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS Senior Writer
acuratolo@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @HockeyGuy_AC