Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Calvin Pickard signed a three-year entry level deal today with the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL.
“I am excited to sign with the Avalanche,” Pickard said. “This is the first step in a pro career and I am looking forward to being a part of the Avalanche organization.”
Pickard played in 68 games this year and had a 27-33-3-5 record. He played 4,013 minutes in the 2010-11 season which puts him fourth in the WHL record book for most minutes played in a single season. Calvin had a .916 save percentage this season.
“Calvin has distinguished himself as a top goaltender at this level and has clearly earned this opportunity to move on to professional hockey,” Russ Farwell said, T-Birds general manager. “This is a big accomplishment for all players and we are very happy for Calvin.”
Pickard has appeared in 177 games with the T-Birds over three seasons and has a 66-83-11-14 record with seven shutouts. Pickard has played 10,395 career minutes with the T-Birds and has a .911 career save percentage.
Pickard was originally selected by the Avalanche in the second round, 49th overall, in the 2010 NHL Draft.
Pickard will join the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League for the remainder of their season. The Monsters are currently in first place in the North Division of the Western Conference of the AHL. It is anticipated that Pickard will return to the T-Birds for his 19-year-old season in 2011-12.
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