The Malik Report
Petr Mrazek, now with Red Wings, named AHL’s Player of the Week
by George Malik on 02/04/13 at 02:27 PM ET
Comments (7)
Via Fox 17's Steve Amorose, and per the AHL, this is somewhat ironic given that he's going to spend the week with the Red Wings:
The American Hockey League announced today that Grand Rapids Griffins goaltender Petr Mrazek has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Feb. 3, 2013.
Mrazek stopped 53 of 54 shots in two games last week (2-0-0, 0.50, .981) as the Griffins extended their lead atop the Midwest Division.
Mrazek, who began the week representing the Griffins and earning the win in net for the Western Conference during last Monday night’s AHL All-Star Game, made 21 saves on Friday as Grand Rapids hit the road and defeated Hamilton, 5-1. Then on Saturday night, Mrazek posted his first professional shutout, garnering first-star honors with 32 saves in the Griffins’ 1-0 victory over Abbotsford. Mrazek’s impressive week was capped by his first career National Hockey League recall by the parent Detroit Red Wings.
A 2010 draft pick by Detroit, Mrazek owns a record of 16-7-1 in 25 appearances for Grand Rapids this season. He ranks second among rookie goaltenders with a 2.26 goals-against average and third with a .916 save percentage. The 20-year-old native of Ostrava, Czech Republic, played the previous three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with Ottawa and was selected by the IIHF as the outstanding goaltender at the 2012 World Junior Championships.
In recognition of his achievement, Mrazek will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Griffins home game.
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Comments
Not for nothing, but if Mrazek impresses in his (possibly) short stint up with the team… he’s going to cost Howard a couple million bucks of leverage.
Posted by HockeyinHD on 02/04/13 at 01:55 PM ET
Yes, or possibly cost the Red Wings the services of Jimmy Howard if he still wants those extra couple of million.
Posted by RWBill from the open bar on The Hasek. on 02/04/13 at 04:15 PM ET
Mrazek still has 3 to 4 years seasoning to do in the minors. Then he’ll backup howard until howard has 2 or 3 not-so-great years.
Then maybe he’ll be ready.
Posted by HockeytownOverhaul on 02/04/13 at 04:38 PM ET
Waaaaaayyyyy too soon to start thinking Mrazek will push Jimmy to the side. He only just began playing in the AHL this season. He’s a great goalie, and shows passion when he plays; that being said, he has a bit of growing up to do still.
Posted by TreKronor on 02/04/13 at 04:51 PM ET
I think 1 more season for him and he should make the jump. He’s been successful on every level, successful in tournaments, bigger the game better he plays. Paterson will be ready for GR either next year or the year after. That being said, it’d be nice to see him get a game or two up here and see how quickly he can transition to the speed of the game at this level. Worst case he’s got an idea of where he needs to get to to be successful on the NHL level.
Posted by HockeytownOverhaul on 02/04/13 at 05:33 PM ET
Mrazek will be a good one in a couple of years
Posted by edillac from isolation on 02/04/13 at 06:08 PM ET
Posted by HockeytownOverhaul on 02/04/13 at 04:33 PM ET
I agree. I’d be happy to see him play okay relieving Jimmy a few times this season. Then next season a few more call ups where possible. Then make the jump.
I think Holland is right that there are a lot of players who need some more time… but at the same time he is applying that mentality to all player because he had a bad experience being a rookie callup himself.
Posted by Crater from SoCal on 02/04/13 at 07:32 PM ET
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Not for nothing, but if Mrazek impresses in his (possibly) short stint up with the team… he’s going to cost Howard a couple million bucks of leverage.
Posted by HockeyinHD on 02/04/13 at 02:55 PM ET