Atlanta Thrashers activate Ondrej Pavelec
The Atlanta Thrashers have activated goaltender Ondrej Pavelec off the injury reserve, demoting Peter Mannino in order to make room on the roster.
Pavelec was placed on the IR after he collapsed on the ice, only two minutes into the club’s first game of the season. He was removed from the ice on a stretcher, and regained consciousness at a local hospital, where it was determined that the 23-year-old
had suffered a concussion. The injury was thought to be sustained when his head hit the ice. The doctors also believe that the youngster simply fainted, ruling out the possibility of heart problems.
Pavelec spoke to the media, saying that he felt fine and that the doctors had cleared him to come back.
"[The doctors] did all testing for my brain and my heart," stated the young Czech net-minder. "They said I just fainted. It’s nothing serious and hopefully, it will never happen again. They said I’m ready to go. I need some practice to get into same shape.
Hopefully, it will never happen again."
The issue of players fainting or passing out during games has been a major concern of the League since youngster Alexei Cherepanov died of heart failure on the bench during a Kontinental Hockey League game.
Without Pavelec in the line-up, the Thrashers have been struggling and sit second to last in the Southeast Divisions, with a 3-4-1 record.
Goaltender Chris Mason, who was brought in to split time with Pavelec, has been filling the role of starter and seems slightly overwhelmed with the work load. The 34-year-old has played in eight games this season and managed a .908 save-percentage and 3.54
goals-against-average.
With Atlanta last season, Pavelec played in 42 contests, earning a record of 14-18-7 with a .906 save-percentage and a 3.29 goals-against-average.
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