Ondřej Pavelec facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ondřej Pavelec |
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Pavelec with the Winnipeg Jets in 2016
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| Born | 31 August 1987 Kladno, Czechoslovakia |
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| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Goaltender | ||||||||||||||||||
| Caught | Left | ||||||||||||||||||
| Played for | Atlanta Thrashers Winnipeg Jets Bílí Tygři Liberec Lahti Pelicans New York Rangers |
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| National team |  Czech Republic |
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| NHL Draft | 41st overall, 2005 Atlanta Thrashers |
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| Playing career | 2007–2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Ondřej Pavelec (born August 31, 1987) is a former professional ice hockey goaltender from the Czech Republic. He was chosen by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2005 NHL Draft. Pavelec stayed with the team when it became the Winnipeg Jets in 2011. He played his last season with the New York Rangers before retiring in 2018.
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Playing Ice Hockey
Starting in Junior Leagues
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Ondřej Pavelec began his journey in junior hockey. He was drafted by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in 2005. This team plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In the same year, the Atlanta Thrashers picked him in the NHL Draft.
Pavelec played two seasons with the Screaming Eagles. He helped them reach the semi-finals in the 2006–07 season. He was a top player in both his junior seasons. He won the Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy twice for having the best goals against average (GAA). This made him only the fourth player to win it more than once. As a rookie, he also won awards for being the best defensive rookie and rookie of the year.
Becoming a Professional Player
Pavelec signed his first professional contract with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2007. He started playing for their minor league team, the Chicago Wolves, in the American Hockey League (AHL). In 2008, Pavelec helped the Wolves win the Calder Cup. This is a championship trophy for the AHL.
He was called up to the NHL to play for the Atlanta Thrashers in 2008. His first NHL game was on October 20, 2007. He earned his first NHL win on November 3, 2007.
On October 8, 2010, Pavelec had a scary moment during a game. He collapsed on the ice and lost consciousness. He was taken to the hospital but quickly recovered. Doctors found that he had a type of fainting spell. He also got a concussion when his head hit the ice. Pavelec returned to play later that month.
During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Pavelec played in his home country. He joined HC Bílí Tygři Liberec in the Czech Extraliga. He also played for Lahti Pelicans in Finland.
In the 2014–15 season, Pavelec set a record for the Winnipeg Jets. He had three shutouts in a row. This means he didn't let any goals in for over 187 minutes! He played a big part in helping the Jets reach the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since moving to Winnipeg.
In 2016, Pavelec was sent to the Manitoba Moose, an AHL team. He was called back up to the Jets in January 2017. Soon after, he set another record. He made 25 saves in one period against the St. Louis Blues. This helped his team win the game.
After ten seasons with the Thrashers/Jets, Pavelec signed with the New York Rangers in 2017. He played one season there. On September 20, 2018, Ondřej Pavelec announced his retirement from ice hockey. He had an 11-year career.
Playing for His Country
Pavelec also played for the Czech Republic on the international stage. He helped the Czech under-17 team finish second in the 2004 Junior World Cup. He was also the starting goalie for the Czech junior team in the 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
He played for the senior Czech team in the 2010 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships. There, he helped his team win a gold medal. Pavelec also played in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. In 2011, he helped the Czechs win a bronze medal at the 2011 IIHF World Championship.
Awards and Achievements
- Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy (QMJHL's lowest GAA) – 2006, 2007
- Raymond Lagacé Trophy (QMJHL's defensive rookie of the year) – 2006
- RDS Cup (QMJHL's rookie of the year) – 2006
- QMJHL First All-Star Team – 2006, 2007
- QMJHL All-Rookie Team – 2006
- AHL Calder Cup – 2007–2008 Chicago Wolves
See also
In Spanish: Ondřej Pavelec para niños
