Thrashers recall Wolves goalie
The Atlanta Thrashers have recalled goaltender Ondrej Pavelec, from the Chicago Wolves.
Pavelec, who made his National Hockey League debut in seven games with Atlanta last season, notching a 3-3-0 record with a 3.11 goals-against average and .904 save percentage, stopped 26 of 28 shots in Chicago's 2-1 loss to the Iowa Chops on Friday, the seventh time in nine appearances this season he has given up two or fewer tallies.
The 21-year-old netminder has allowed just 14 goals in an American Hockey League-leading nine starts (5-3-1) to open Chicago's 15th season, which includes two shutouts in the first eight games. He ranks fourth in the league with a 1.54 goals-against average .947 save percentage (251 saves on 265 shots).
The Kladno, Czech Republic, native, backstopped Chicago to the 2008 Calder Cup Championship last year during his professional debut, becoming just the third goaltender in AHL history to notch 16 wins in a single postseason. The then 20-year-old rookie posted a 2.34 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage in 24 games during his professional postseason debut (16-8), which includes two shutouts and allowing one or fewer goals nine times.
Atlanta's second choice, 41st overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Pavelec led AHL rookies and ranked second in the league with 33 regular-season victories last year, the second-highest single-season total in franchise history. He recorded a 33-16-3 record with a 2.77 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 52 regular-season appearances with Chicago.