Wednesday, November 18, 2009

WHL: T-Birds' Pickard named CHL Goaltender of the Week, ranked #1 among WHL goaltenders


                                              (Photo: Seattle Thunderbirds)


Congratulations go out to Seattle Thunderbirds goaltender Calvin Pickard, who has been selected the Goaltender of the Week by the Canadian Hockey League for the week ending November 15, 2009. The recognition is well-deserved, as Pickard posted 3 victories in 3 games, including 2 shutouts.

On Friday, November 13, the 17-year-old backstopped the T-Birds to a 7-2 victory over the Kamloops Blazers, in Kamloops, BC. From there, the team hopped a bus and drove to Everett, where Pickard earned his second shutout of the season Saturday night, as the T-Birds beat a tough Silvertips team 4-0. From there, they hopped right back on the bus and drove back into BC, where they faced the Giants on Sunday afternoon. Again, Pickard was in top form, making 25 saves in a 5-0 victory over Vancouver and earning his 3rd shutout. For those who like to keep count, in his three latest wins, Calvin stopped a total of 76 of 78 shots and recorded a whopping .974 save percentage. He was also named the #2 "Star of the Game" in Everett and Vancouver. 


Calvin had lots of scoring help last weekend. On Friday, Jonathan Parker scored a hat trick and Prab Rai had 2 goals. Charles Wells and D-man Jeremy Schappert also scored in the 7-2 victory over Kamloops. Four different T-Birds scored Saturday: newcomer Brendan Rouse (former Brandon Wheat King), Sena Acolatse, Captain Lindsay Nielsen and Jonathan Parker. Acolatse and Rai each notched two goals on Sunday in Vancouver, while Wells added one.

In addition to the "Goaltender of the Week" honors, Pickard has also been ranked #1 among WHL goalies by Central Scouting in the first of 3 ranking reports this season. NHL teams use information compiled by Central Scouting to help them decide which players to draft in June. The group will release its mid-season rankings in January and final rankings in April. 

You can read more about Calvin Pickard's amazing achievements at the Seattle Thunderbirds website, and learn how to get an up-close seat to watch this talented young man in action, by booking seats in "Calvin's Corner" at the T-Birds' home rink, ShoWare Center in Kent. Just click here.

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