Atlanta Thrashers Re-Sign Ondrej Pavelec
The Atlanta Thrashers have announced that they have re-signed Ondrej Pavelec to a two-year contract worth $2.3 million. Pavelec was a restricted free agent (RFA) and the signing avoids arbitration.
Ondrej Pavelec
Pavelec began his professional career with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He spent two years with Cap Breton, posting incredible numbers, winning the Jacques Plante Trophy two years in a row for the lowest goals-against-average (GAA). In his first season with Cape Breton, he won the Raymond Legace, and RDS Trophy, which are rewarded to the top defensive rookie and rookie of the year.
Pavelec’s strong play caught the eye of the Atlanta Thrashers, who drafted him in the 2nd round, 41st overall, in the 2005 National Hockey League entry draft.
In 2007-08, Pavelec was given a spot with the Thrashers American Hockey League affiliate the Chicago Wolves. In his first season with the Wolves, Pavelec posted tremendous numbers, earning a 2.77 GAA and a .911 save-percentage. This was good enough to earn him seven games with the big club at the end of the season.
Despite a poor record in 2008-09, Pavelec’s numbers were once again outstanding, besting his previous performance with a 2.58 GAA. This time, Pavelec was rewarded with 12 games on a struggling Atlanta club.
Last season, Pavelec was rewarded with his first full season in the NHL, playing in 42 games and posting a record of 14 wins and 18 losses. Despite the poor record, he managed two shutouts and seven overtime losses.
Atlanta’s Perspective
For the Thrashers, Pavelec represents the future in goal. He is only 22 years-old, and so far has been rushed through the system, to the point where his promotion last year may have been to soon. Nevertheless, Pavelec will spend all of next season splitting time with Chris Mason. The Thrashers hope that by giving him less responsibility over the next two years he will be able to learn, and blossom into a legitimate starting goaltender.
Atlanta already made a major mistake in promoting former goaltender Kari Lehtonen too quickly, and the once top prospect petered off into a mid-range NHL goalie. Learning from their mistakes, the Thrashers will not put as much pressure on young Pavelec.
The signing also cements their goaltending situation for 2010-11. Having signed Mason earlier in the summer, locking up Pavelec gives the Thrashers a legitimate goaltending tandem.
For a young team ready to take the next step, hopefully into a playoff spot, Pavelec represents the future of the franchise, and the hope that they will be able to right the ship in Atlanta.
Pavelec’s Perspective
For Pavelec, the Thrashers are a perfect fit. They allow him to start more games than he would anywhere else in the league, while still affording him the protection of splitting time.
Having a veteran goalie like Mason around will give Pavelec someone to learn from. Mason has split time for most of his career, from Nashville to St. Louis and now Atlanta, so he is used to sharing time in the goal-mouth, something he will be prepared to pass onto the younger net minder.
Pavelec has been successful wherever he has played, and if he is able to grow, and learn slowly, Atlanta should be no different. His move from the Czech Republic to Canada at such a young age shows that he is invested in the North American style of play and is interested in remaining in the league for the long haul, which demonstrates his commitment to the Thrashers. In addition, two years from now, he will once again become an RFA, giving the Thrashers the upper hand in re-signing the goaltender.
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