Predators re-sign Rinne

The Nashville Predators, parent club of the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, announced on Monday that they have re-signed goaltender Pekka Rinne to a two-year contract.

Rinne, 24, finished the 2006-07 season tied for sixth in the American Hockey League in goals-against average (2.34) after missing the first half of the season following shoulder surgery. The 6-foot-5 netminder went 15-7-6 and posted three shutouts in 29 games with Milwaukee, and also ranked among AHL leaders in save percentage (.920) in his second season in North America.

Rinne was recalled to Nashville twice in 2005-06 and posted a win in his first NHL start on Dec. 15, 2005. The Kempele, Finland, native led Milwaukee and tied for second in the AHL in wins (30) in 2005-06 and started in goal for the PlanetUSA All-Stars at the 2006 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic. He also backstopped the Admirals to a berth in the 2006 Calder Cup Finals.

Originally drafted by Nashville in 2004, Rinne captured the Finnish Elite League championship in two straight seasons as a member of Karpat Oulu before coming to North America in 2005.