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Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff, from Finland, dives on the puck during second period NHL action against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Calgary, Alta., on Friday, March 29, 2013.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press

One of the seminal players in Calgary Flames history, Miikka Kiprusoff, made it official Monday: He is done with the NHL, after nine seasons with the Flames that put him alongside Mike Vernon as one of the franchise's greatest goaltenders.

Kiprusoff, 36, had one year remaining on a front-loaded six-year, $35-million (U.S.) contract he signed before the start of the 2008-09 season. It initially paid him $8.5-million, but would have dropped to $1.5-million for the final campaign.

Rather than accept such a significant pay cut, Kiprusoff opted to call it a career.

The announcement, which saves Calgary a $5.888-million salary cap charge, came on the eve of training camp for the 2013-14 season.

According to the Flames, they knew about his plans all along, but chose not to make them public in case he changed his mind. However, their actions in the off-season, signing goalies Karri Ramo and Reto Berra, plus getting backup Joey MacDonald to agree to an extension, suggested they had a pretty good idea of where it was going.

In a statement, Flames general manager Jay Feaster said: "Miikka has been up-front with us since the trade deadline that he wanted to finish his outstanding playing career as a Flames player, and that the 2013 season was going to be his last."

Feaster's comment was a reference to trade talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs that fell through at the deadline last season. The Leafs asked – and received permission – to speak to Kiprusoff about waiving his no-trade clause to join Toronto for the stretch drive, but ultimately, Leafs GM David Nonis was unable to convince him to move.

Kiprusoff had, by far and away, his worst season with Calgary in 2013 – 8-14-2, 3.44 goals-against average, .882 save percentage.

It looked as if the constant losing finally got to Kiprusoff, after he'd spent years propping the team up with elite-level goaltending. The prospect of playing for Calgary in a rebuilding era likely had no appeal to Kiprusoff, who also didn't appear interested in starting over elsewhere in the NHL.

Feaster said the organization wanted to give Kiprusoff time to reflect in the off-season, so he wouldn't make "a rash or hasty decision. We wanted to give him time to get refreshed during the summer and spend some additional time to make his decision. … In returning to Calgary this month, he advised us that his decision remained the same, and that he was retiring as a player."

Kiprusoff's best moment came in the spring of 2004, when he led Calgary to the Stanley Cup finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning (of which Feaster was GM). The Flames did not win another playoff series after that unexpected success, however.

Still, Feaster hailed Kiprusoff as "backbone of the Calgary Flames since his arrival here in 2003, and every night for more than 70 nights per season, his magnificence between the pipes gave the team a chance to win. He inspired hope and confidence, and he made those around him better players as a result of his brilliance.

"Miikka will take his place in the pantheon of great NHL goaltenders, and his place in Flames history is secure. He will be missed by players, teammates and fans, and we wish him all the best in his retirement."

Statistically, Kiprusoff finished as the Flames all-time leader in wins (305), games played (576) and shutouts (41).

In a statement, Kiprusoff confirmed he made his retirement decision after last season, but appreciated the fact Feaster gave him the chance to reconsider.

"It's an important decision for me personally, my family, the Flames organization and fans," Kiprusoff said. "Jay and I had conversations over the summer, and nothing had changed for me and upon returning to Calgary last week, I once again spoke with Jay and confirmed with him that I would be retiring."

Kiprusoff plans to live in Calgary this year, largely so his children can continue to go to school here.

"I've been very lucky to have spent 10 years of my career in Calgary. There is no better place to live and play. I look forward to taking the next year with my family to enjoy everything wonderful about Southern Alberta."

The Flames acquired Kiprusoff on Nov. 16, 2003, from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a second-round draft pick. He finished the 2003-04 regular season posting a modern-day NHL record GAA of 1.69.

For his career, Kiprusoff finishes with 319 wins, a 2.49 GAA, 44 shutouts and a .912 save percentage.

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