Brothers in Goal: Chet & Calvin Pickard find success in net

Calvin (L) & Chet (R) Pickard (Photo: Cathy & Bill Pickard)

The name “Pickard” instills excitement in many hockey fans… and apprehension in many hockey players, and it doesn’t matter which first name you pair with it.

Chet Pickard (Photo courtesy: Scott Paulus/Milwaukee Admirals)

Chet – the WHL’s Goaltender of the year in 2007-08 and 2008-09. One of two goaltenders for Team Canada at the 2009 World Junior Championships. Named to the WHL West First All-Star Team in 2008 and 2009 for his stellar play in net for the Tri City Americans. Drafted 18^th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators. Now making his mark with the Preds’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.

Calvin Pickard (Photo Courtesy: Mick White/Kent Valley Sports)

Calvin – member of Canada’s Under-18 Team that took gold over the summer at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. One of two goaltenders who helped Team WHL pull of a series sweep at the Subway Super Series tournament in Victoria in November. Just selected to play in the NHL Prospects game on January 20 in Windsor, Ontario (more information here). Currently ranked #1 among WHL goalies by Central Scouting for his amazing play in net for the Seattle Thunderbirds, including two memorable (some would say “amazing”) games against his brother’s old team, Tri City.

October 2, 2009. Calvin stops 57 out of 57 shots to help the T-Birds beat the Americans 1-0 and earn his first shutout of the season. (We’ll talk about the second game a little later).

When asked what he remembers about that 57-stop game, Calvin says, “It was one of those nights where everything kind of went well for me: got some calls, got some blocks, our defense played pretty well, clearing out rebounds so everything just clicked.”

Chet’s amazed about his brother’s feat, but not surprised. “It’s pretty impressive. You’re not going to see many of those around. I don’t think many people out there can do that. Calvin’s a really good goalie. Calvin’s been good since the first day he put on the pads.”

That’s high praise coming from a guy known for his cool play between the pipes. But Chet will quickly tell you that he believes Calvin has more natural ability in goal, while Chet has had to work hard to hone his skills. Calvin agrees that he is the more natural athlete, but says he learned a lot from watching his brother. “He’s got a great work ethic and he’s really disciplined. He’s earned everything he’s gotten to this day.”

Their father Dan says Chet and Calvin have different strengths – and have been able to help each other fill a void. “At a younger age, Calvin showed a lot more, I’ll call it, stronger mental game than his older brother, and his older brother had a stronger physical game than his younger brother. It’s kind of an interesting dynamic that we watched take place. Calvin is much more into the physical aspect and preparation in his game now and Chet is much, much stronger in the mental part of his game than he was when he was younger.”

Chet, being two years older than his 17 year old brother, made the first foray into net around the age of 7 or 8, while playing for a Timbits team in New Brunswick. “I just remember playing at that age when everybody had to be the goalie for a game and when my turn came around, I really enjoyed it.”

Dan says Chet’s future was sealed with help from a little mix-up at hockey camp that summer. “We showed up at camp with his little bag of hockey gear and the guy who was organizing the camp said, ‘We have him down as a goaltender.’ I said, ‘Well, he’s not a goaltender, he played only one game.’ And Chet looked up at me and said, ‘I’d like to play in goal.’” The man running the camp owned a second hand equipment store and got Chet some goaltending gear. At the end of camp, the organizers told Dan that Chet showed a natural ability in net, noting, among other things, “He doesn’t twitch when the puck is shot at him.”

Calvin says he decided to try goaltending because Chet played goalie, but Dan says Calvin could have played any position. “He was a very talented player no matter whether he played forward or defense.” Calvin played goal through his team’s playoffs, and when he tried out for an elite team the next season, Dan was told Calvin would have to choose which position to try out for. “That was when Calvin decided he wanted to become a goaltender full time.”

Calvin at 10 years old (Photo Courtesy: Cathy & Bill Pickard)

Dan says it was easier to raise two goaltenders, even though Chet and Calvin grew up playing on different teams. “It was easy for them to bounce thoughts and ideas and have a healthy relationship competitive-wise and healthy respect for each other. It made it easier for my wife and I to deal with both of them because we could compare and support them both the same way.”

The biggest challenge? Juggling schedules and games, but Dan and his wife Cathy seem to have made it work.  “We tried to have one parent at every one of their games. I’m a bit of a hockey… I wouldn’t say fanatic but very dedicated to the sport, so I went to most practices. At least one of us would be at every game, depending on what our travel or work schedules would be.”

Last season, they had a difficult decision to make: Who would go see Chet play with Team Canada in the World Junior Championships in Ottawa, and who would go to Port Alberni to watch Calvin play with Team West in the World Under-17 tournament? Dan thought Cathy would opt for Ottawa, since she has family there, but she surprised him.

“My wife said, ‘I’m going to watch Calvin if Chet makes World Juniors.’ My daughter came with me to Ottawa and we watched Chet in the World Juniors.”

Chet and Calvin say they don’t have the words to express their gratitude. Says Chet: “My parents are unreal with the support they gave us. They put a lot of miles on their cars and a lot of money out of their pockets for us. Hopefully one day we can reward them by both playing in the NHL and sending them on a cruise somewhere.” (Chet laughs) “It’s exciting to have the biggest hockey parents around. They love us and they take care of us and they support us no matter how tough of times we go through.”

Calvin agrees: “I give them so much credit, for driving us to the rink, being there for every little situation we had with hockey, to things like making us food, paying the gas bill to drive us everywhere. Having Chet and me both being goalies, you don’t see that too often. We love our parents, they’re good people and everything we did together was happy and they had fun doing it.”

With such a close-knit family, how hard was it for Chet and Calvin to travel so far from home to play junior hockey? Dan said both boys looked forward to the adventure. “In Chet’s case, he did not want to be close to home. He wanted to be further away. In Calvin’s case, he wanted to go to a big city. It just so happened that both boys got drafted to the same state.”

Chet loved playing for Tri City. “It was really good for me, right from Day One. The whole organization, from the owners to the coaches, they all really supported me. They gave me all the chances in the world. When I was 18 and finally took over the starting job (after Carey Price left to play for the Montreal Canadiens), they prepared me well. I’ve got a lot of respect for what they do there in the Tri Cities. Everybody is first class and they really treated me well and supported me well, even through the tough games.”

What’s his best memory with the Ams? “That one year when we finally hung our first banner there (US Division Champions 2008) and how excited everybody was when we beat Spokane in the final game of the season, to raise that banner. It was an exciting season, not only for the players but the fans, who have stuck around for the 20-odd years they’ve been there.”

Calvin says his transition from home to the WHL has also been smooth. “Since the whole organization has played such a huge role in making this a comfortable spot to play, I feel the transition has been rather easy. The coaching staff, Paul Fricker, my goalie coach, have been a great help for me physically on the ice and mentally. Lastly, I could not possibly have better teammates then what I have right now. They are always in good spirits and a pleasure to be around.”

Both say they benefited from having wonderful and supportive billet families, who remain close with all the Pickards.

Chet says his biggest challenge in moving from the WHL to AHL is the lifestyle change, both on and off the ice. “You get to a level like this and everybody’s quicker, everybody can shoot the puck harder. My biggest thing is, I’ve gotta be quicker. I’m working on agility drills off the ice and when it comes to being on the ice, just pushing myself every day and getting out of my comfort zone.”

Chet says he looks to former Tri City teammate and friend Carey Price for inspiration. “Carey’s a unique guy. Most goalies don’t play in the NHL right after their last year in juniors. Carey was in a situation where he could do that. He’s got a lot of pressure on him in Montreal but the first two games of this year, he stood on his head and won the games for his team.  I look up to Carey. He’s a great goalie and a great friend and he’s helped me out so much.”

Chet’s using his time in Milwaukee to prepare and give himself the best chance to play well, once he reaches the NHL. “I’m here to work hard every single day, just do what I do, control what I can control and see what happens.”

He’s also learning to live on his own. “I’d say that’s one of the biggest adjustments – managing your own time, cooking your own meals, paying the bills and all that. You’ve got to manage your time and manage what you do. It’s a big change but I’m getting used to it.”

These are things that Calvin will also have to get used to. He’ll turn 18 in April and is eligible for the NHL Entry Draft, which takes place in Los Angeles in June. If he continues his stellar play, there’s no doubt that he will be drafted high in the first round.  He’s on everyone’s radar and has been featured in a number of articles, including a profile on nhl.com.  But Calvin is trying to remain level headed about things.

“You try and not let yourself get overwhelmed by those things. I want to have the attitude I’ve had all my life – just go out and play every game, treat every game the same, prepare the exact same way, just be the best goalie you can be every day and at the end of the day, it will hopefully fall into place.”

How did a 17 year old get so level-headed? Father Dan says watching the hoopla that surrounded Chet helps, but that Calvin has always been on an even keel. “One thing they both understand is that it’s very fleeting. It’s all about work and it’s all about productivity.  I think he (Calvin) knows how to keep it (the attention) separate from what he knows his day-to-day job is, which is stopping pucks for Seattle.”

Speaking of stopping pucks, remember that amazing game against the Tri City Americans on October 2, where Calvin stopped 57 shots for a 1-0 shutout win? The Ams traveled to ShoWare Center in Kent again on December 11^th. This time, Calvin stopped 54 out of 55 shots to help the T-Birds win 5-1. His save percentage is 0.924, second highest in the WHL, behind James Reid of Spokane.

And Chet? He’s finding his feet in Milwaukee and gaining confidence. His save percentage: a respectable 0.910. Calvin has no doubt his brother will shine in the pros. “Chet’s an unbelievable goalie. He tore up this league (WHL) for the past couple of seasons in Tri City and was part of the reason they were so good. There’s no reason he can’t do it at the next level and then soon to be the NHL, too.”

Dan and Cathy and daughter Kelly are content to watch Chet and Calvin use their passion and talent to their best ability. “When you think of the numbers of kids that are playing, and being able to have that level of success for one, let alone two, is just crazy. It’s really kind of unbelievable but we give all the credit to their coaches, to the boys themselves for the work effort and the passion they put into the game. I end every one of my text messages, ‘Good luck and have fun.’”

The Pickards are busy planning their travel schedule for the rest of the season. They won’t have to go far to see Chet play in January: the Admirals travel to Winnipeg play the Canucks’ AHL team, the Manitoba Moose.  In the meantime, they’ll keep in daily touch with Chet and Calvin by phone, text and internet… and maybe dream of a little California sunshine in June.

Silvertips lose crucial Game 4 to Tri City, 4-1

The Everett Silvertips find themselves in a very precarious position this morning. Like their brethren down I-5, the Seattle Thunderbirds, the 'Tips are down 3 games to 1 in their playoff series against the Tri City Americans. Tonight, they face the daunting task of trying to win on Tri City's home ice to force a Game 6 back at Comcast Arena.

Tri City, on the other hand, has a more pressing matter to deal with. Rookie Spencer Asuchak hit the boards hard in the final minutes of the game- and after lying on the ice for a frightening ten minutes, was carted off on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and taken to the hospital for evaluation. We still don't know the extent of his injuries. I will post an update as soon as I find out.

Now, back to the game. It started out well enough. From my vantage point right behind Everett's bench, I could see the determination on the Silvertips' faces and they played with determination as well. Maybe they started out with a little too much. Captain Zack Dailey was called for checking from behind about 1:30 into the first period. There was a mad scrum around Everett's net two minutes later, and the puck hovered dangerously close to Silvertips' goalie Thomas Heemskerk's feet and no one seemed to notice it for several long seconds. Then an Everett stick swept the puck out of danger.

There were several Tri City penalties in succession but Everett could not capitalize on the power play until the ten minute mark. Daniel Bartek deflected a hard shot by Tyler Ellington right past Tri City goalie Chet Pickard to put the Silvertips up 1-0. Chris de la Lande also assisted in the goal.

The rest of the first period featured a lot of action at Everett's end of the ice. Thomas Heemskerk made a number of good saves, including one at 16:43 as he fell on the puck. Jesse Burt, Zack Dailey and Tyler Maxwell delivered some monster hits, along with d-men Graham Potuer and Tyler Ellington. In the final minute of the first period, Daniel Bartek made a great run at Tri City's net, but Chet Pickard blocked him. Dan Iwanski slapped two hard shots at goal with 20 seconds on the clock, but Pickard turned those away, too. The first period ended with Everett on top 1-0.

The second period had barely gotten under way when Tri City found itself in penalty trouble. Taylor Procyshen was called for checking from behind at 1:04. A minute and a half later, teammate Riley McIntosh went to the box for tripping. The Silvertips' two man advantage didn't last long, though, as Tyler Maxwell was called for goaltender interference at the 3 minute mark.

It took less than a minute after that for Tri City to finally get on the board, albeit in a controversial way. A flurry of activity around Everett's goal seemed to knock the net slightly off its moorings. At the same time, another player ended up going INTO the net with the puck. The referees called for an instant replay. (NOTE: Instant replay is not used during regular season WHL games, but is being used during the playoffs) Guess what? It counted! Johnny Lazo got credit for the goal. Mitch Fadden and Lane Werbowski were credited with assists. Comcast Arena erupted into a chorus of 'BOO's at this point; the crowd, definitely not happy with the call.

Everett tried a few good runs at Tri City's net, urged on by the thousands of cowbells in the arena. But the 'Tips ran into penalty trouble again. Tyler Maxwell went to the box for tripping at 5:53. Zack Dailey was called for interference at 7:45. Thomas Heemskerk really stepped up, blocking shot after shot after shot. In fact, my notes read: "good stop Heemskerk @ 7:25", "good catch by Heemskerk @ 8:50", "good set-up by TC, better stop by Heemskerk @ 9:29".

Just after the halfway mark of the second period, Tri City's Jarrett Toll found a second home in the penalty box. At 11:43, he was called for high sticking. He had just left the box when he was sent back for interference. Five minutes later, he visited the box again, this time for delay of game, after flipping the puck right over the glass and into the crowd.

The Silvertips could not capitalize on any of their power plays, even though they had some good scoring chances. On the other end of the ice, Heemskerk continued his stellar play, stopping several shots and denying Tri City any opportunities to pull ahead. Chet Pickard made a key save for the Americans at the 19 minute mark, and the second period ended with things all tied up at 1-1.

I became a little distracted during the third period by a group of fans sitting to my left. Let's just say they were really enjoying themselves and had imbibed maybe a little too much. Unfortunately, they became very rowdy, surly and abusive. And very loud. The others around me and I tried to ignore them as best we could and follow the game. I was surprised that the team could ignore them. We were right behind their bench and some of the unruly fans had extremely loud and piercing voices, including one woman who seemed bent on teaching every child in her general vicinity some choice new words.

Back to the game. Just under two minutes into the third period, the puck flew toward the Everett bench and nearly hit a photographer in the head. He ducked just in time and laughed off the close call. The play was very aggressive this period, right off the bat. Silvertips hit everyone they came across and their feeling of frustration was palpable. The faces sitting on the bench in front of me were grim, determined.

At 7:32, Tri City's Johnny Lazo drove the puck toward Everett's net so hard, he ended up skating into goalie Thomas Heemskerk. The refs quickly stepped in as Silvertips converged around Lazo, but oddly, did not call him for goalie interference. Heemskerk made several good stops as action continued down in Everett's end before the Tips found a way into Tri City's zone. Chet Pickard stopped two successive shots at 9:35; the first by Dan Iwanski, followed by Zack Dailey with the rebound. Dailey was a human cannon ball. He skates so quickly, he's a blur. And the shots he leveled last night, belie his small stature (the roster lists him at 5'6" tall). Thomas Heemskerk made a good save at 12:05, and before Tri City could attempt another shot, Cameron Abney was there to knock a player and the puck away from Heemskerk.

Tri City found the net again at 12:50. Tyler Schmidt took a blocked shot and rebounded it into an open area of the net on Heemskerk's left. 36 seconds later, Mitch Fadden scored the exact same way, after assisting Schmidt on his goal. Jason Reese also got a helper for both goals. With just under six minutes to play, d-man Graham Potuer took a hit or something that sent him crumpling to the ice. I watched him try to get up and fall again. He finally crawled to the Everett bench, where another player helped him off the ice. A trainer took over and helped Potuer to the locker room. I don't know thow badly he's hurt.

Play grew even more aggressive in the final five minutes of the third. Once again, Everett got into penalty trouble and Tri City took advantage. Taylor Ellington was called for holding at 15:25. A minute later, Jason Reese scored on the power play. Taylor Procyshen and Tyler Schmidt were credited with the assists.

With 2:29 left to play, rookie Spenser Asuchak hit the boards hard, and fell onto the ice. I saw him propped up on his elbows, talking to the trainer. Then he went limp and lay still as Tri City and Everett's trainers looked him over. His right foot wriggled several times, then stopped. The crowd was silent as we watched a player skate out with a backboard, which they placed on the ice next to Asuchak.

Several more long minutes passed, broken up by some very loud and crude comments by a woman sitting behind me. There was no doubt that everyone inside Comcast Arena heard the things she said, the tamest of which accused Asuchak of not being hurt, and calling him a few rude names. In hindsight, I should have turned around and asked this woman her name so I could print it here. That way, anyone who knows her would be able to tell her just how stupid, rude and nasty she was last night.

Paramedics arrived ten minutes after Asuchak's fall, and gingerly placed him on a stretcher, making sure his head and neck were fully braced. Then, they wheeled him slowly off the ice and into a waiting ambulance, as the crowd at Comcast Arena applauded and players banged their sticks in support.

Asuchak's injury and Tri City's three goals seemed to take the wind out of the game for the Silvertips. They tried a last push at Chet Pickard with no success, and time ran out. Final score: Tri City 4, Everett 1. The shots on goal really tell the story here. Chet Pickard stopped 23 of 24 shots for Tri City. Thomas Heemskerk stopped 51 of 55 shots for Everett. He was named the Number One Star of the Game. Number 2 was Mitch Fadden and Number 3, Jason Reese, both from Tri City.

The Silvertips travel to Kennewick tonight for that crucial Game 5 against Tri City. The puck drops at 7:05pm. If you cannot make the drive to the Tri Cities for the game, tune your radio to North Sound 1380AM for Jon Rosen's stellar play by play coverage.

WHL: Silvertips lose a squeaker to Tri City in OT, 6-5

The Everett Silvertips faced off against the Tri City Americans in Kennewick last night, in a game that was as wild as it was close. Not being able to make the drive to the Tri Cities, I contented myself with following the game on the radio, and I have to say this: If you can’t make it to a Silvertips game, you absolutely MUST tune in to North Sound AM 1380 and listen to Jon Rosen call the plays. His enthusiasm alone will almost make you feel as though you are at the game.



That enthusiasm took flight just under two minutes into the first period, when Dan Iwanski scored to put the Silvertips on the board. Iwanski’s goal came as the Silvertips were on a 5-on-3 power play (Tri City’s Lane Werbowski and Taylor Procyshen were in the box for interference and spearing, respectively). Iwanski took a rebound by Taylor Ellington and shot it past goaltender Chet Pickard. (Note: I was surprised but pleased to see Pickard in net. I had heard that the hit he took from Spokane’s Ryan Letts earlier this month may have knocked him out of action for the rest of the season, so seeing him play was very encouraging.)



Everett capitalized on another power play nearly three minutes later. This time, Ryan White took a pass from Daniel Bartek and beat Pickard. The Silvertips were now up 2-0, but as with any good team, it would only be a matter of time before the Americans got on the board. Johnny Lazo scored at the 6:43 mark to cut Everett’s lead in half. But the Silvertips made sure that was the only goal Tri City scored in the first and the clock ran down with Everett still ahead, 2-1. Shots on goal were pretty even: Everett 11, Tri City 10.



The second period featured some aggressive play by the Americans. Jon Rosen's play by play spotlighted the frustration being felt by the Silvertips’ bench as Tri City scored several times, first to tie, then to go ahead. Tyler Schmidt’s goal came on an Americans power play at 5:40, as Trevor Bauer sat out a tripping minor. Adam Hughesman scored just under three minutes later, to put Tri City ahead, 3-2. Hughesman got past Thomas Heemskerk again at 13:56, to double the Americans lead. The second period ended with Tri City ahead 4-2, and outshooting the ‘Tips 13-9.



The third period got really wild, and it was hard for Jon Rosen to keep his excitement in check. Just under the 6 minute mark, Everett’s Ryan White scored his second goal of the game to bring the ‘Tips within one again. Jesse Burt and Daniel Bartek got the assists. Then, a ten minute stretch of furious play at either end of the ice ended with Tri City’s Lane Werbowski slipping past Thomas Heemskerk to put the Americans back up, 5-3. Everett answered nine seconds later, when Tyler Maxwell beat Chet Pickard on a Shane Harper rebound to bring the ‘Tips to within one.



Here’s where it really got heated. The Silvertips pulled Heemskerk to put an extra attacker on with about two minutes to go in the period. They fired shot after shot, and Chet Pickard turned each one away. It looked as though Tri City would run the clock down and squeak by with a win right there, but they didn’t count on Silvertip Daniel Bartek. With 22 seconds left in regulation, Bartek found the net and tied it up 5-5 to force the game into overtime. Shots on goal: Everett 7, Tri City 12.



Both teams played hard in overtime. Heemskerk and Pickard seemed impenetrable in goal and play ping-ponged from end to end, until eleven minutes in. Justin Feser scored for Tri City to clinch a Game 1 victory, 6-5.



Game 2 gets under way at 7:05pm tonight in Kennewick. The teams will then come to Everett for Games 3 and 4 at Comcast Arena. Game 3 takes place on Wednesday, March 25; Game 4 on Friday, March 27. Both games begin at 7:05. You can find more information about the games and tickets by clicking here.



NOTE: During the intermission between the third period and overtime play, Jon Rosen interviewed Everett Herald reporter Nick Patterson, who has covered the Silvertips since their inception. The two discussed the game so far, before turning their attention to a young player who has just joined the Silvertips’ ranks and had suited up for his very first game. According to Rosen and Patterson, defenseman Ryan Murray is definitely a player to watch. He was a first round pick of the Silvertips in the WHL Bantam Draft. And Number 27 is just 15 years old! He doesn’t turn 16 until September. Murray assisted on Everett’s first goal (Iwanski at 1:55 of the first period). Murray has played lights out hockey for the Moose Jaw Junior Warriors of the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey Association. In 41 games this season with Moose Jaw, Ryan has 12 goals and 26 assists for 38 points. Click here to read what Nick Patterson had to say about Ryan Murray back in February.

WHL: Cheap Shot Injures Goalie

It was supposed to be a battle of brothers this weekend at ShoWare Center, when T-Birds goaltender Calvin Pickard faced his older brother Chet as the Tri City Americans came to town. But Chet, Tri City's star and Nashville Predators prospect, did not make the trip.  He's nursing a concussion that may leave him out of the Americans' lineup for the rest of the season.  The concussion came courtesy of Spokane Chiefs forward Ryan Letts during a game last Saturday in Spokane.  Video captures what happened:

 

Rewind and take a look at it again if you have to. 

Ryan Letts gets in a cheap and dirty shot at Pickard, who clearly is not expecting to get bowled over.  Pickard hit his head on the goalpost and ends up flat on the ice.  It's not clear whether anyone fell on him during the brawl that followed.

I read that the WHL suspended Letts for ten games as a result of this hit.  But if Pickard really is out for the rest of the season, then it's only fair to make Letts sit out as well.  Both Tri City and Spokane are in the playoffs and both are sitting high in their divisions. It's not fair to allow Letts to come back and help his team advance, when Tri City's star goalie must sit out.