Finnish Sensation Bequeathes Showtime Nickname to Red Wings Kane

Finnish world junior goaltender Petteri Rimpinen knows there’s only one true Showtime in hockey and it isn’t him. Back home, that’s what they call Rimpinen. On the world stage, he’s willingly relinquishing any rights to the handle to Detroit Red Wings star Patrick Kane.

“I can use the nickname in Finland, but definitely not in the big world,” Rimpinen told reporters covering the IIHF World Junior Championship. “I’m not at that level.”

WHAT A STOP FROM RIMPINEN!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/U7bgUFlnQ5

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2024

Those reporters became aware of the handle after Rimpinen was backstopping Finland to a 4-3 overtime victory over the USA with a 30-save performance. He would follow that performance with a 28-save shutout in a 3-0 win against Latvia. Rimpinen is second in the tournament in save percentage (.947) and goals-against average (1.75).

Finland is playing Slovakia in Thursday’s quarter-finals. They’ll be counting on another show-stopping performance from their netminder.

“If that Showtime nickname starts spreading . . .” Rimpinen said. “Well, let’s see. I don’t read those things myself.”

The origins of his version of Showtime stem from Rimpinen’s colorful personality and big-time puckstopping exploits. When his new skates arrived for this season, they were emblazoned with the nickname “Showtime Rimpinen,” which he insists was put there by the skate manufacturer, entirely unbeknownst to him.

“It was just a funny thing at first, but then the guys noticed it, and that’s when it really took off,” Rimpinen told Finnish website Yle Urheili. He also wears a jet black jacket with the word Showtime across the back. “I have my own show with the fans, so the Showtime nickname is definitely descriptive. It’s a fun nickname.”

Red Wings Kane Ramping Up Showtime

Around Little Caesars Arena, there’s also bee an uptick in Showtime-level performances from Kane in recent Red Wings outings. He’s collected three points over the past two games.

Patrick Kane puts one past Nedeljkovic on the power play 😤 pic.twitter.com/r17r4PFmqw

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 1, 2025

Kane scored in each of Detroit’s victories during the club’s current two-game win streak. He’s netted four goals in the last seven games and recently was collecting his 1,300th NHL point.

“He’s had a good spark to him and he’s been playing hard,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. “He has been playing with the puck. And he’s holding onto it and he’s making plays. He’s making them fast.”