Semyon Varlamov expresses pleasure in joining Colorado Avalanche, fulfils childhood dream –NHL Update
When Washington Capitals traded three-season long goalie, Semyon Varlamov, to Colorado Avalanche for a first-round pick in the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) draft along with a conditional second-round pick in either 2012 or 2013, earlier in July, Capitals
did not know that it was doing him a big favour.
The 23-year-old goalie from Samara, Russia, had grown up watching Colorado players on the ice and it was always a childhood dream of his to play with Avalanche that had now finally come true.
"Patrick Roy, he was my favorite player in the NHL", Varlamov said of the Hall of Fame goalie, who is probably the best known defender worldwide. "I wanted to play here when I was a kid".
Picked as No. 23 overall in round-one of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Varlamov played as a backup goalie in Washington for three consecutive seasons.
He began playing with Washington during the 2008-2009 season in which he played six games out of which four were wins.
Following that, Varlamov continued with Capitals' American Hockey League (AHL) farm league team, Hershey Bears.
In total, Varlamov has played 59 NHL games, 30 of which are wins, 13 losses, 12 overtime decisions and four shootouts.
"We wanted to surround Semyon in an environment where he could be successful and we wanted to bring in a veteran presence, a calming presence for him", Sherman said. "We feel confident having a former Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe winner as his backup, who
welcomes that role".
Semyon Varlamov received a chance like no other, which is to play as the main goalie for his favourite team.
Colorado feels confident in its decision of bringing a young goalie of Varlamov's caliber and dedication to the team who will certainly outperform expectations.
Injury riddled goalie, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, a former Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe trophy winner, will be giving him a strong backup whenever needed.
Giguere, 34, realises he cannot perform throughout a regular season and accepts his position as Varlamov’s replacement.
With recent signings of top entry draft picks, Gabriel Landeskog and Duncan Siemens, along with free agent, Jan Hejda, Colorado has created a reformed team, which according to Colorado is totally changed and ready to take on the new season ahead.
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