Avalanche Signs Budaj, Koci
Goaltender, Forward Agree To One-Year Deals
Thursday, 06.03.2010 / 5:31 PM
/ News
By Colorado Avalanche
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The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed goaltender Peter Budaj and forward David Koci each to a one-year contract for the 2010-11 season.
Budaj appeared in 15 games (11 starts) for the Avalanche this past season, compiling a 5-5-2 record with a 2.64 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and one shutout. He also saw action in one game during the Stanley Cup playoffs against San Jose.
Budaj, 27, was Colorado’s first selection (second round, 63rd overall) in the 2001 Entry Draft. He has spent each of his five NHL seasons with the Avalanche, compiling an 86-70-23 career record with eight shutouts, a 2.74 GAA and .903 Sv% in 197 appearances. He ranks third in franchise history in games, shutouts and minutes (10874), and is fourth in wins. Budaj led the Avalanche with 31 victories in 2006-07 and 20 wins in 2008-09, and also paced Colorado in goals-against average (2.86) and save percentage (.900) as a rookie in 2005-06.
“Peter has been a valuable goaltender for our franchise over the last five seasons,” said Avalanche General Manager/Executive Vice President Greg Sherman. “He’s had success at the NHL level and we look forward to having him back for another year.”
A native of Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, Budaj has represented Slovakia in each of the last two Olympic Winter Games. He posted a 2-1-0 record with a 2.01 GAA in three games at the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy. Budaj recently competed at the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany, appearing in all six games for his country. He was 2-4-0 with a .913 save percentage during the tournament. Budaj also represented Slovakia at the 2008 IIHF World Championship, the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, the 2001 and ’02 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2000 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.
Koci, 29, appeared in a career-high 43 games in his first season with the Avalanche in 2009-10. The 6-foot-6, 238-pound left wing tallied one goal and no assists while finishing second on the team with 84 penalty minutes.
“David brings grit and toughness to our lineup,” added Sherman. “He was a good fit for our team last year.”
The Prague, Czech Republic native has skated in 107 career NHL games, notching three points (2g/1a) and 381 penalty minutes during stints with Chicago, Tampa Bay, St. Louis and Colorado. He was originally selected by Pittsburgh in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2000 Entry Draft.
Budaj appeared in 15 games (11 starts) for the Avalanche this past season, compiling a 5-5-2 record with a 2.64 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and one shutout. He also saw action in one game during the Stanley Cup playoffs against San Jose.
Budaj, 27, was Colorado’s first selection (second round, 63rd overall) in the 2001 Entry Draft. He has spent each of his five NHL seasons with the Avalanche, compiling an 86-70-23 career record with eight shutouts, a 2.74 GAA and .903 Sv% in 197 appearances. He ranks third in franchise history in games, shutouts and minutes (10874), and is fourth in wins. Budaj led the Avalanche with 31 victories in 2006-07 and 20 wins in 2008-09, and also paced Colorado in goals-against average (2.86) and save percentage (.900) as a rookie in 2005-06.
“Peter has been a valuable goaltender for our franchise over the last five seasons,” said Avalanche General Manager/Executive Vice President Greg Sherman. “He’s had success at the NHL level and we look forward to having him back for another year.”
A native of Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, Budaj has represented Slovakia in each of the last two Olympic Winter Games. He posted a 2-1-0 record with a 2.01 GAA in three games at the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy. Budaj recently competed at the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany, appearing in all six games for his country. He was 2-4-0 with a .913 save percentage during the tournament. Budaj also represented Slovakia at the 2008 IIHF World Championship, the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, the 2001 and ’02 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2000 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.
Koci, 29, appeared in a career-high 43 games in his first season with the Avalanche in 2009-10. The 6-foot-6, 238-pound left wing tallied one goal and no assists while finishing second on the team with 84 penalty minutes.
“David brings grit and toughness to our lineup,” added Sherman. “He was a good fit for our team last year.”
The Prague, Czech Republic native has skated in 107 career NHL games, notching three points (2g/1a) and 381 penalty minutes during stints with Chicago, Tampa Bay, St. Louis and Colorado. He was originally selected by Pittsburgh in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2000 Entry Draft.
