Tuukka Rask’s comeback from hip surgery didn’t work out on the ice this season, but he is now set to take on a new role with the Bruins.
Prior to Thursday night’s game against the New Jersey Devils, Rask met with the media and announced that he is taking on a position as something of a brand ambassador working with corporate sponsors. The official title still needs some work, as Rask himself explained.
“I’m gonna be like a corporate sponsorship, whatever you want to call me,” Rask said. “I’ll be hanging out with sponsors and golfing, shaking hands in suites and whatnot. Ambassador type of thing. We’re gonna figure out a better title for me, I guess. But that’s something -- I’ve always been intrigued about the business side of things anyways. I don’t know what the future holds. Maybe I’ll get into coaching, maybe not, but for now I’ll be hanging out with sponsors.”
Rask, the winningest goalie in Bruins history, was honored before Thursday’s game with a ceremonial puck drop and video tribute. He announced his retirement on Feb. 9 after playing four games and suffering a physical setback that forced him off the ice for two-plus weeks.
“It couldn’t hold the everyday grind, practicing and playing. That’s what I found out pretty quickly,” he said. “I felt really good during the rehab. I was skating, started twice a week, three times a week, four times a week, and it was fine. But I was by myself or with a coach or with one guy shooting. It’s a little different from live action in a game or practice. Playing that Anaheim game, I kind of stretched and tweaked my groin and hip a little bit, and it just kept aggravating even more. And it was just kind of time to be honest with yourself.”
Rask said it may have been possible to push through the lingering injury, but that he was unlikely to get back to 100 percent and couldn’t see enough of a payoff for himself or the team. He feels it may have been particularly unfair to rookie Jeremy Swayman, who had been sent down to AHL Providence when Rask returned.
“I figured I could’ve kept pushing,” he said, “but what’s the benefit of me playing at 60 percent and kind of taking time off, taking a week off here, two weeks off, and kind of taking a spot away from Sway? So I figured it was more beneficial for everybody to call it. I had a great career, and I have no regrets.”
Rask said he and his family plan to remain in Boston for the foreseeable future, especially with him taking on the new role. He said retirement has been “great” so far.
“It’s great. Just a lot of family time,” Rask said. “Driving kids to school, dance classes, couple rounds of golf, couple trips here and there. Easy living, not a whole lot.”
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