Winnipeg Jets re-sign goalie Ondrej Pavelec to 5-year, $19.5 million deal -NHL offseason Update
Ondrej Pavelec really proved his worth to the newly relocated Winnipeg Jets team during the last 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season. He played in a majority of the games and nearly got them to the playoffs, compelling the team to re-sign
him to a five-year, $19.5 million deal on Monday, June 25, 2012.
Pavelec, a 24-year-old goalie from Kladno, Czech Republic, was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st later on this year after his two-year contract worth $2.3 million, signed with the Atlanta Thrashers, was set to expire.
Staying in Winnipeg was something Pavelec had wanted and Jets’ general manager, Kevin Cheveldayoff, also realised that his team needed the top-notch goalie.
"I'm really happy that I have the chance to stay here in Winnipeg and stay for five years," Pavelec said, during a conference call from his native Czech Republic. "That's all you're looking for, to stay in the city you like with the great fans there. I always
said that I like Winnipeg and I'm really happy for a deal right now and I'm just looking forward."
"I believe that he is one of the best young goaltenders in the game right now," Cheveldayoff added. "He's someone that at the minor-league level won a championship.”
Pavelec was picked up as the 41st overall during round-two of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrasher. He played in 68 games last season and put up 29 wins for the Jets team while maintaining a .906 save percentage and 2.91 goals-against
average.
Winnipeg Jets ultimately finished at number 11 in the Eastern Conference with 84 points, tied with 10th place Tampa Bay Lightning and needed eight points to level with eighth spot Ottawa Senators.
Next season is definitely one which the Winnipeg Jets team is looking forward to as they hope to make the playoffs. Jets are now focusing on keeping their club intact and could be making some big moves in the upcoming free agency.
Ondrej Pavelec now has five years more with Winnipeg Jets and can focus on improving himself instead of worrying about where he might end up later on.
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