NHL goalie embraced by his family on the ice after what is likely his final game.

A scene played out last night in the American Hockey League that may mark the end of the line for one of the National Hockey League's most well respected backup goaltenders.

Last night in the AHL the Ontario Reign, the AHL affiliate team of the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings, played out their final game of the season in what was a 4 - 2 victory for the reign. It what was a game that would have otherwise been unspectacular if not for the fact that both the players and the rest of the Reign's staff were not acting a bit funny for this one. For one every member of the team was seen sporting the number 31 during the pre game warm ups which is of course in and of itself unusual, and after the game all of the players and staff stayed out on the ice for a special video tribute.

The tribute was for veteran goaltender Peter Budaj and according to a report from Ontario Reign beat reporter Zach Dooley it was one that was being presented as a farewell to the long time netminder. It does in fact appear that this will mark the final game of Budaj's professional career as a goaltender and if that is indeed the case it is a career that will end just prior to Budaj reaching the 15th NHL season of his career. Budaj of course has hoped around a little during his time in the NHL but even as a backup he seemingly endeared himself to the fan base wherever he would played. 

Budaj started out his career with the Colorado Avalanche after that organization selected 63rd overall in the second round of the 2001 National Hockey League Entry Draft, with his debuting coming a few years later during the 2005 - 2006 NHL regular season. Budaj would go on to spend significant time with the Montreal Canadiens as a backup for star goaltender Carey Price and was well received by fans in that market before eventually moving on to the Los Angeles Kings and then the Tampa Bay Lightning before eventually circling back to Los Angeles to finish his NHL career. 

We wish Budaj all the best on his future endeavors and we'll leave you with the tribute video presented last night.

[pub]