Wolves' goaltender earns top honors for October

Chicago Wolves goaltender Ondrej Pavelec has been named the AHL Goaltender of the Month for October.

The 21-year-old goalie allowed just 14 goals in an American Hockey League-leading nine starts (5-3-1) during October to help the defending Calder Cup Champions claim first place in the West Division. He currently ranks second in the league with a 1.54 goals-against average and first with a .947 save percentage (251 saves on 265 shots) and has held opponents to two or fewer goals in seven of his nine starts, which includes two shutouts.

Pavelec, who is currently on recall to the Atlanta Thrashers, turned away all six shots he faced in 20 minutes of relief duty in his National Hockey League season debut at New Jersey on Nov. 1, and stopped 18 of 21 shots to earn the win against Florida on Nov. 2. Overall, he has accrued a 4-3-0 record, a 2.95 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage in nine NHL appearances with Atlanta.

The Kladno, Czech Republic, native helped 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.

Pavelec, who also won Goaltender of the Month honors for February 2008, will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Wolves home game in recognition of his achievement.