Thunderbirds’ Calvin Pickard Named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Calvin Pickard of the Seattle Thunderbirds is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 20 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .968.

Pickard recorded his first shutout of the season on Friday night making 43 saves including 15 in the third period as first star of a 3-0 win over the U.S Division’s top ranked Tri-City Americans.  One night later Pickard and the Thunderbirds faced another tough divisional matchup against the Portland Winterhawks and emerged with the 6-3 win.  In that contest Pickard made 47 saves including 18 in the third period and also stopped Calgary Flames first rounder Sven Bartschi on a penalty shot in the second period and received second star honours.

Pickard, a 19-year-old from Winnipeg, MB, is playing in his fourth WHL season with the Thunderbirds.  The Colorado Avalanche prospect selected in the second round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft also competed for Team WHL last week highlighted by a 5-2 win on Wednesday night in Regina where he made 23 saves against Team Russia.

Also considered for the award this week was Garret Sparks of the Guelph Storm who went 2-0-0-0 with a shutout victory and a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .962.  In the QMJHL, Francois Lacerte of the Gatineau Olympiques posted a 2-0-0-1 record with a goals-against-average of 1.93 and save percentage of .941.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)