AHL Chicago Wolves

Goaltender Pavelec returns to Chicago in four-player move

October 4, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release


The Atlanta Thrashers have assigned goaltender ONDREJ PAVELEC (AWN-dray Pah-vah-lec), center GRANT STEVENSON and defenseman ARTURS KULDA (AHR-tuhrs KOOL-da) to the Chicago Wolves. In addition, the Thrashers have released defenseman JAMIE RIVERS, who will report to Wolves training camp.

PAVELEC backstopped Chicago to the 2008 Calder Cup Championship last year during his professional debut, becoming just the third goaltender in American Hockey League history to notch 16 wins in a single postseason. The 21-year-old netminder 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 National Hockey League 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. The Kladno, Czech Republic, native, recorded a 33-16-3 record with a 2.77 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 52 regular-season appearances with Chicago, and made his NHL debut with the Thrashers, notching a 3-3-0 record with a 3.11 goals-against average and .904 save percentage in seven outings.

STEVENSON led the Quad City Flames and ranked 10th in the AHL with a career-high 73 points (30G, 43A) in 80 games last season. The 26-year-old forward also ranked second in the league with 19 power-play goals and shared third with eight game-winning tallies. Overall, the Spruce Grove, Alberta, native, has recorded 10 goals and 22 points in 47 career NHL outings with the San Jose Sharks (2005-06) and 127 assists and 206 points in 304 career AHL outings with the Flames (2007-08), Worcester Sharks, Cleveland Barons (2003 to 2006).

KULDA made his professional debut with the Wolves last season after signing an amateur tryout contract following the conclusion of his OHL season with the Peterborough Petes. The 20-year-old blueliner posted one assist, 10 penalty minutes and a +3 plus/minus rating in five regular-season outings and six points (G, 5A) and 32 penalty minutes in 22 postseason games en route to the club's Calder Cup Championship. Prior to joining the Wolves, the Riga, Latvia, native led Peterborough with a +9 plus/minus rating and ranked second among team defensemen with seven goals, 27 assists and 34 points in 55 regular-season games.

RIVERS, an 11-year NHL veteran, signed with the Wolves on Aug. 11. The 33-year-old defenseman has collected 17 goals, 49 assists, 66 points and 385 penalty minutes in 454 career NHL games with the St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings and Phoenix Coyotes, and 131 assists, 163 points and 355 penalty minutes in 270 career AHL contests with the Worcester IceCats, San Antonio Rampage, Grand Rapids Griffins, Hershey Bears and Peoria Rivermen.

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