The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed goaltender Calvin Pickard to an entry-level contract.  He will join Colorado’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters.

Pickard (pronounced PICK-erd) was Colorado’s second-round selection (49th overall) in the 2010 Entry Draft.  He led all Western Hockey League goaltenders with 68 appearances this season, posting a 27-33-8 record with a 3.36 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and one shutout for the Seattle Thunderbirds.  The 18-year-old netminder ranked first in the league in minutes (4013), shots faced (2668) and saves (2443), and was fourth in save percentage en route to being named to the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team.

“I am excited to sign with the Avalanche,” said Pickard. “This is the first step in a pro career and I am looking forward to being a part of the Avalanche organization.”

“We are pleased to come to terms with one of our top young goaltenders,” said Avalanche General Manager / Executive Vice President Greg Sherman.  “Calvin has put up very solid numbers in major junior over the past couple of seasons and we look forward to him starting his pro career with our organization.”

The Moncton, New Brunswick native just completed his third season with Seattle.  He was a finalist for the WHL Goaltender of the Year award in 2009-10, when he also led the league in games (62), minutes (3688) and saves (2207).  Following that season, Pickard represented Team Canada at the 2010 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.

Calvin’s brother, Chet, was a first-round draft pick (18th overall) of the Nashville Predators in 2008.