Nashville Predators Possible Retired Numbers
By Marcus Young
Tomas Vokoun
The Nashville Predators had another great goaltender between the pipes before Pekka Rinne, and that was number 29, Tomas Vokoun. Vokoun was drafted in 1994 by the Montreal Canadiens. He only played one game for the Canadiens and in 20 minutes he let 4 goals get by him and his night was over in Montreal. In the 1998 Expansion Draft, the Nashville Predators selected Vokoun from Montreal.
His first two seasons Vokoun split time between Nashville and the Milwaukee Admirals before he was able to establish his spot in Nashville as Mike Dunham‘s backup. Even though he didn’t get the majority of wins Vokoun still proved he could become an elite goalie for the organization. In the 2002-2003 season, he was given the starting job playing 68 games in 82 after Mike Dunham was traded to The New York Rangers that included Marek Zidlicky and other assets.
His next two season would prove to be his best as a Predator. Vokoun played in 73 games out of 82 winning 34, losing 29, tying 10, 1,958 shots, 178 goals against, .909 save percentage, and 3 shutouts. With that season Vokoun and The Nashville Predators made their first trip to The Stanley Cup Playoffs in the 8th spot to play The Detroit Red Wings. The Predators made it a fun one for the long-time rivals by forcing the series to 6 games including a Game 3 win and a Game 4 shutout win in Nashville.
Vokoun only lasted as a Predator for two more years and one more playoff appearance as a Pred before being shipped off to the Florida Panthers. Vokoun was huge in the establishing the defense first mentality the Predators have always had under coach Barry Trotz. He was one of the Original Predators that made hockey great in The Music City and put Nashville on the hockey map. And for that, his number deserves a banner in Bridgestone Arena.
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