Calvin Pickard
Pickard with the Toronto Marlies in 2018
Born (1992-04-15) April 15, 1992
Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL team
Former teams
Edmonton Oilers
Colorado Avalanche
Toronto Maple Leafs
Philadelphia Flyers
Arizona Coyotes
Detroit Red Wings
Vienna Capitals
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 49th overall, 2010
Colorado Avalanche
Playing career 2012present

Calvin Pickard (born April 15, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Pickard was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round (49th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He played his junior hockey with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was the first selection by the Vegas Golden Knights during the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. His older brother, Chet, also a goaltender, was drafted in the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators.

Playing career

Junior

Pickard began his major junior career with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL in 2008–09. Despite only totalling 16 wins in 62 games with the Thunderbirds in his second season, Pickard posted a save percentage of 0.914 and was named to the 2010 WHL West First All-Star Team.[1] Although ranked as the top North American goaltender by central scouting, Pickard was the third goaltender chosen in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, when selected in the second round, 49th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche.[2] During the 2010–11 season with the Thunderbirds, Pickard was invited to take part in Canada's National Junior Team selection camp for the 2011 World Junior Championships.[3] He was not selected for the final roster.[4]

Pickard with the Lake Erie Monsters in 2013. Pickard played for the Monsters from 2011 to 2015.

Professional

Colorado Avalanche

On March 25, 2011, it was announced that Pickard signed a three-year entry level contract with the Colorado Avalanche. He spent the remainder of the season with their American Hockey League affiliate team, the Lake Erie Monsters.[5] At the outset of the 2011–12 season, Pickard was assigned to the Seattle Thunderbirds, where he finished his junior career.[6] The 2012–13 season was his first full season as a professional, and Pickard played in 47 games for Lake Erie, recording 20 wins.[7]

In the 2014–15 season, Pickard began the year with the Monsters but was recalled to the Colorado Avalanche on October 16, 2014 after Semyon Varlamov was placed on injured reserve, he made his NHL debut the same day against the Ottawa Senators as he had to come in for Reto Berra who was injured in a collision; Pickard allowed four goals on 27 shots in a 5–3 loss. Pickard was sent back to the Lake Erie Monsters on October 25 but was recalled on November 18 after Semyon Varlamov suffered a groin injury.[8] Pickard earned his first win on November 22 after coming in to relieve an ineffective Reto Berra, Pickard stopped all 17 shots he faced in an eventual 4-3 Overtime win. After more poor play from Berra, Pickard became the starting goaltender and continued in impressive form until Semyon Varlamov permanently returned to the team, after which Pickard became the team's primary backup goaltender. Pickard was returned to Lake Erie on December 28, in order to resume a starting goaltender role.[9] After beginning the 2015–16 season with Colorado's new AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, he was recalled early on in the season when Semyon Varlamov suffered a groin injury. He would return to the club in late December when Reto Berra injured his ankle, Pickard recorded his first NHL shutout on January 16, 2016 against the New Jersey Devils.[10][11]

As a restricted free agent, Pickard was signed to his first one-way deal with the Avalanche, agreeing to a two-year, $2 million contract on July 5, 2016.[12] In his first full season in the NHL in 2016–17, Pickard was slated as the backup goaltender, however with an early season-ending injury suffered to Varlamov, Pickard was thrust into the starting role for the Avalanche. He established a career high in making 50 appearances, leading the last placed Avalanche in save percentage, goals against average and wins.

Expansion draft selection, waiver exchanges

In the off-season, having been exposed at the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, Pickard was the first player selected by the Vegas Golden Knights on June 21, 2017.[13] Pickard was poised to be the Golden Knight's backup behind Marc-André Fleury heading into their inaugural season, and even went as far as holding a contest with Vegas fans to design his goaltender mask. However, on October 3, the team claimed goaltender Malcolm Subban off waivers.[14] With the Golden Knights deciding to go with a tandem of Fleury and Subban instead, Pickard was placed on waivers on October 5, in order to be sent to the team's AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. He cleared the following day, but a few hours after clearing, Pickard was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 2018 sixth-round draft pick and Tobias Lindberg.[15] As he had already cleared waivers, Pickard was immediately assigned to the Maple Leafs affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. On April 15, 2018, Pickard, and fellow Marlies goaltender Garret Sparks, were awarded the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award.[16] After Pickard helped the Marlies win their first Calder Cup, he signed a one-year $800,000 contract extension to stay with the organization.[17]

During the 2018–19 pre-season, Sparks was chosen to be the Maple Leafs' backup, forcing Pickard to be put on waivers on October 1, 2018. He was claimed the following day by the Philadelphia Flyers.[18]

On November 23, 2018, Pickard had the fourth shutout of his career and his first with the Philadelphia Flyers in a 4–0 victory over the New York Rangers in the Flyers' traditional Black Friday matinee. The following day, he surrendered four goals on six shots against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and was pulled from the net in favor of Anthony Stolarz about twelve minutes into the contest. He did not start another game with the Flyers. With a .863% save percentage and a poor 4.01 goals against average, Pickard was once again placed on waivers on November 28. The following day, the Arizona Coyotes claimed Pickard off waivers.[19] Remaining with the Coyotes as the club's third choice goaltender, Pickard made six appearances for the club, unable to win a game.

Detroit Red Wings

As a free agent from Arizona, Pickard opted to sign a two-year, $1.5 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings on July 1, 2019, his fifth team in two years.[20]

After a strong pre-season showing, Pickard was still assigned to Detroit's affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, with whom he played the majority of the campaign. He received the AHL Player of the Week honor for the week of January 5. He was recalled to the Red Wings on three separate occasions after goaltenders Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Bernier went down with minor injuries. Pickard appeared in three games for the Red Wings, going winless and allowing 15 goals with a 5.46 GAA. Pickard was returned to Grand Rapids to assist in their playoff push on January 23, 2020. Less than two months later, the season was indefinitely suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[21]

On December 1, 2020, prior to the 2020–21 NHL season, Detroit loaned Pickard to the Vienna Capitals of the ICE Hockey League to condition following the eight month break. He had a 3–3 record before being recalled to Detroit on January 3, 2021. Pickard was waived following training camp for the purpose of assignment to their taxi squad. Pickard had a quiet season, only manning Detroit's crease six times, going 2–1–1. Although, he provided one of the bright spots of the Red Wings' year as he earned back-to-back victories against the Columbus Blue Jackets in March.[22]

On July 28, 2021, the Red Wings signed Pickard to a one-year contract extension.[23]

Edmonton Oilers

On July 13, 2022, Pickard as a free agent was signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Edmonton Oilers.[24]

International play

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
Ice Hockey World Championships
Gold medal – first place2016 Russia
Silver medal – second place2017 Germany/France

Following a second successful season as a backup with the Avalanche, Pickard was selected for his first international tournament for Canada at the 2016 World Championships in Russia. He played two round-robin games for Canada, winning both times, en route to a gold medal.[25]

Personal life

Calvin was born in Moncton, New Brunswick and moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba when he was eight.[26] Pickard's older brother, Chet, is also a professional goaltender, drafted by the Nashville Predators and currently playing with German club Grizzlys Wolfsburg in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).[27]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPWLOTLMINGASOGAASV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
2008–09 Seattle Thunderbirds WHL 4723165269413733.05.896 5142971503.03.915
2009–10 Seattle Thunderbirds WHL 62163412368819033.09.914
2010–11 Seattle Thunderbirds WHL 6827338401322513.36.916
2011–12 Seattle Thunderbirds WHL 6425372363021753.59.906
2011–12 Lake Erie Monsters AHL 210077403.12.892
2012–13 Lake Erie Monsters AHL 4720195274911352.47.918
2013–14 Lake Erie Monsters AHL 4316187244511622.85.906
2014–15 Lake Erie Monsters AHL 5023179294312832.61.917
2014–15 Colorado Avalanche NHL 166738953502.35.932
2015–16 San Antonio Rampage AHL 2198412645812.75.917
2015–16 Colorado Avalanche NHL 207619754212.56.922
2016–17 Colorado Avalanche NHL 5015312282114022.98.904
2017–18 Toronto Marlies AHL 31219119237412.31.918 310120201.00.956
2017–18 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 100163403.81.857
2018–19 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 114224653114.01.863
2018–19 Arizona Coyotes NHL 60402831703.60.892
2018–19 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 43001901103.47.889
2019–20 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 331712419539332.86.903
2019–20 Detroit Red Wings NHL 30201651505.46.797
2020–21 Vienna Capitals ICEHL 63303671201.96.919
2020–21 Detroit Red Wings NHL 62113041603.16.874
2020–21 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 31111801003.33.882
2021–22 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 4321165253510912.58.918
2021–22 Detroit Red Wings NHL 3110126904.30.875
2022–23 Bakersfield Condors AHL 3823122224410142.70.912 202119603.04.903
NHL totals 1163554106,10530943.04.903

International

Year Team Event Result GP W L OT MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2016 Canada WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2 2 0 0 120 1 1 0.50 .971
2017 Canada WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 5 2 0 444 11 1 1.49 .938
Senior totals 9 7 2 0 564 12 1 1.28 .944

Awards and honors

Award Year
WHL
West First All-Star Team 2010 [1]
West Second All-Star Team 2011 [28]
AHL
Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award 2018 [16]
Calder Cup 2018 [29]
Player of the Week (5-12 January 2020) 2020 [30]

References

  1. 1 2 "WHL unveils western award winners". The Province. March 18, 2010. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
  2. "Hockey/WHL: NHL Draft Prospect - Calvin Pickard, Seattle Thunderbirds". King5.com. June 25, 2010. Archived from the original on February 8, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
  3. "Hockey Canada Selection Camp: Team Profile". Hockey Canada. December 1, 2010. Retrieved December 1, 2010.
  4. "Nugent-Hopkins among final cuts for Canada's junior team". TSN. December 15, 2010. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  5. "Avalanche signs Calvin Pickard". Colorado Avalanche. March 25, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  6. "Avalanche Reassigns Four Players". Colorado Avalanche. September 23, 2011. Retrieved September 23, 2011.
  7. "Calvin Pickard". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  8. "Avalanche recall Calvin Pickard". Colorado Avalanche. November 18, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  9. Colorado Avalanche (December 28, 2014). "Avalanche re-assigns Pickard, Everberg". Twitter. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  10. "Pickard posts first career shutout". thescore.com. January 16, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  11. "Avalanche goalie Reto Berra out about 10 days". National Hockey League. January 10, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  12. "Calvin Pickard signs modest two-year contract with Avalanche". Denver Post. July 5, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  13. "Avalanche loses goalie Calvin Pickard to Vegas Golden Knights". Denver Post. June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  14. "Golden Knights Announce Several Roster Transactions". NHL.com. October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  15. "Maple Leafs acquire goalie Calvin Pickard from Vegas Golden Knights". Sportsnet. October 6, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  16. 1 2 "MARLIES' SPARKS, PICKARD WIN HAP HOLMES AWARD". theahl.com. April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  17. "Maples Leafs sign Calvin Pickard to one-year contract". sportsnet.ca. June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  18. "Flyers claim goaltender Calvin Pickard from waivers". Philadelphia Flyers. October 2, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  19. "Coyotes Claim Pickard off Waivers". NHL.com. November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  20. "Red Wings fill needs, sign Filppula, Nemeth and Pickard to two-year deals". Detroit Red Wings. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  21. "AHL suspends play". AHL. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  22. "Pickard, Red Wings defeat Blue Jackets again". NHL.com. March 28, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  23. Kujawa, Kyle (July 28, 2021). "Detroit agrees to terms with center Sam Gagner and goalie Calvin Pickard". NHL.com. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  24. Laing, Zach (July 13, 2022). "Edmonton Oilers sign goaltender Calvin Pickard to two-year contract". oilersnation.com. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  25. "Canada team profile". International Ice Hockey Federation. May 24, 2016. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  26. "Pickard brothers hope to square off in NHL - Sportsnet.ca".
  27. "Decision made on backup Goaltender" (in German). Iserlohn Roosters. May 22, 2015. Archived from the original on May 25, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  28. "WHL West All-Stars and awards finalists". Western Hockey League. March 23, 2011. Archived from the original on March 25, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  29. "Marlies bring a hockey championship to Toronto, win Calder Cup". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 15, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  30. "Grand Rapids Griffins' Calvin Pickard named CCM/AHL Player of the Week". WingsNation. January 13, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
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