Thrashers ink goaltender Pavelec to two-year deal

By Bud L. Ellis

Now that the Atlanta Thrashers had filled the veteran portion of their goaltending rotation, it was time to sign the young netminder the organization feels can be a star one day in the National Hockey League.

Ondrej Pavelec and the team agreed on a two-year deal Thursday that reportedly will pay the 22-year-old $2.3 million.

Pavelec has experienced the ups and downs all young goaltenders go through the past two years, from feeling shut out of the NHL rotation while playing at AHL Chicago to being pulled twice in a three-game span last December. But there also were brilliant moments, like a 2-0 shutout win at Detroit early last season in which Pavelec looked like one of the elite in the league.

In 42 games last season, Pavelec finished 14-18-7 – often being hampered by a porous Atlanta defense – with a 3.29 GAA and a .906 save percentage.

Pavelec will split time with Chris Mason, who the Thrashers signed in early July.

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Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 7:38 pm by bud

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