Keepin' up with goaltenders

Ryan Mior (Gatineau Olympiques) has signed with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, the CHL affiliate of the Rochester Americans*. Ryan is not currently eligible to play while he waits for immigration approval. OK, that is clear right? He has indeed left the University of Waterloo.

Ondrej Pavelec (Screaming Eagles) had made threats earlier in the season to not report to the Atlanta Thrashers AHL affiliate the Chicago Wolves...but he is indeed back with the Wolves and has played three games so far this season.

The IHL's Port Huron Icehawks have added former Quebec Remparts goaltender Kevin Desfosses, who had recently been released by the Ottawa Senator's ECHL affiliate Elmira Jackals.

AUS Hockey's regular season has begun. Last night PEI faced- off against UNB and Jhase Sniderman was in nets for UPEI. I have no idea how to keep track of this university team stuff. These teams have to update their webpages and their rosters already. Anyway, my imaginary lover Travis Fullerton was in nets for UNB, and unfortunately UNB took a rare loss (in overtime). "We" blame the defense. Why am I writing about this you ask? You know how I LOVE Fullerton - I can't help myself.

* I like to make mistakes when it comes to affiliates

What are you doing Ondrej?

Former Screaming Eagles goaltender Ondrej Pavelec refuses to report to the AHL.

From the Hockey news:

Thrashers goaltending prospect Ondrej Pavelec won't report to the Chicago Wolves of the American League, his agent told Sporting News Saturday.

"When Ondrej signed two years ago, (Thrashers GM Don Waddell) gave Ondrej his word," Allan Walsh, Pavelec's agent, told Sporting News. "He sat there at the table and gave Ondrej his personal word that Ondrej would never be held back. Last year he led Chicago to an American League championship. This year he played in the first exhibition game and then the third period on October 3 - they threw him into the game cold in the third period. That is criminal mismanagement of a young goalie."

Pavelec, 21, was cut by the Thrashers and assigned to the Wolves Saturday. His agent said his client was never given a fair shake at making the team.

"He will never be part of an organization that doesn't keep its word and treats players in this manner," said Walsh.

Atlanta has Kari Lehtonen and Johan Hedberg as goalies ahead of Pavelec on the depth chart.

Walsh said Pavelec, a native of the Czech Republic, has options to play in Russia or would welcome a trade to another NHL team.

"We're evaluating where his next step is," Walsh said. "He's most likely going to get on a plane and go home right now."

A look back: Ondrej Pavelec

Sigh, yes, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles alum Ondrej Pavelec has been on my mind. Ondrej is currently playing with Atlanta Thrashers' AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. The Wolves have made it to the semi-finals where they will face the Toronto Marlies (and former Devil's backup goaltender Scott Clemmensen) in the race for the Calder cup. So far this playoffs Ondrej has played 13 games with 8 wins, 5 losses and has a GAA = 2.28 and a save % = 0.925

I have two little bites of Ondrej history for you. They must be nibbled not swallowed whole.

The First is a story from his sister taken from the Czech league inspired Southern Bohemian Hockey Blog:

I bet you don´t know too many players that came to hockey thanks to their sister. The soft spoken Atlanta rookie Ondrej Pavelec is one of them.
"One day, I was practicing in Kladno´s stadium, I explained that I have a small brother at home. The coach told me to that I should take him with me the next time. He couldn´t wait to get there" told Marcela Pavelcova deniksport. Marcela, 28, currently serves as Kladno´s women´s team captain and had a quite successful career so far, playing in Austria, Switzerland and representing the Czech Republic at World Championships. The 5 year old Ondrej couldn´t skate, so he became goaltender right away. The fact that Kladno has one of the best youth hockey systems in the Czech Republic, if not Europe, helped Pavelec to develop his skills and earned him a nomination for the U18 World Championships in Plzen. "Around that time i realized that my brother has turned from a boy to a man and that he could become very successful. I was a good motivation for him, because I played for the national team at that time, something he wanted to achieve as well" says Marcela. In 2005 Ondrej Pavelec made the jump to the QMJHL and withing 2 years he found his way to the NHL.

"I know everything about his girlfriends. I wrote his love-letters, he wasn´t good at that. I even had to write "I love you" at the end of the letter". says Marcela.

"He always asks me what I think about his girlfriend... He isn´t that kind of guy who only cares about the looks of a girl... He isn´t fixed on blondes, I think he prefers dark haired girls" Marcela Pavelcova.


The second is some fun times had while in CB playing for the Screaming Eagles. I basically get excited seeing a goalie do anything in his gear, which is why I like the you tube video 'date with a goalie'. I would hate to think that there are actual fleshy people under there. Unfortunately, I cannot embed these videos.

Pavelec "Snow Fun in Ingonish" part 1
Pavelec "Snow Fun in Ingonish" part 2