Petr Mrázek

Petr Mrázek (Czech: [ˈmraːzɛk]; born 14 February 1992) is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender, currently playing for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Petr Mrázek
Mrázek with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2013
Born (1992-02-14) 14 February 1992
Ostrava, Czechoslovakia
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Carolina Hurricanes
Detroit Red Wings
Philadelphia Flyers
National team  Czech Republic
NHL Draft 141st overall, 2010
Detroit Red Wings
Playing career 2012–present

He was selected in the fifth round, 141st overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, with whom he spent the first portion of his NHL career. He also briefly played for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Playing career

Junior

Before going to North America, Mrázek played in the Czech Extraliga, where he appeared for HC Vítkovice Steel during the 2007–08 post-season.

In his first Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season with the Ottawa 67's in 2009–10, Mrázek posted a 12–9–1 record in 30 games with a 3.00 goals against average (GAA) and .905 save percentage. He played in eight playoff games with Ottawa, finishing with a 4–4–0 record, 2.39 GAA and a .928 save percentage. At the end of the season, at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft from 25 and 26 June, Mrázek was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the fifth round, 141st overall.

On 19 October 2011, Mrázek signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Red Wings.[1] However, he remained in the OHL for the 2011–12 season, appearing in 50 regular season games for the 67's. He was 30–19 with three shutouts and had a 2.84 GAA and .917 save percentage in the regular season. In the playoffs, he appeared in 17 of 18 games, going 9–8 with a 2.59 GAA and .929 save percentage.

On 4 April 2011, upon the conclusion of Ottawa's season, Mrázek was signed by the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Detroit Red Wings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, on an amateur try-out contract.[2]

Detroit Red Wings
Mrázek with the Walleye in December 2012

Mrázek began the 2012–13 season with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL, the Red Wings' second-tier minor league affiliate, where he won his first game 4–1 over the Kalamazoo Wings. Mrázek posted a 2–1–0 record, a 2.02 GAA and a .944 save percentage in three games played in the ECHL before being called up to Grand Rapids in the AHL. He made his AHL debut with the Griffins on 3 November 2012, and made 29 saves in a 4–1 victory over the Texas Stars. Mrázek won 12 of his first 15 appearances overall with the Griffins, also setting a franchise record in the process by winning his first six starts. He registered his first professional shutout on 2 February 2013, in a game against the Abbotsford Heat. Mrázek was named the AHL Player of the Week for the week ending 3 February 2013, after posting a 0.50 GAA and a .981 save percentage in two games played.[3]

Mrázek made his NHL debut with the Red Wings on 7 February 2013, in a game against the St. Louis Blues. Detroit won 5–1, with Mrázek making 26 saves.[4] With the win, Mrázek became the second goaltender in hockey history to win his ECHL, AHL and NHL debuts in the same season, joining Alex Auld.[5]

Mrázek then represented the Griffins at the AHL All-Star Classic and recorded the win in a 7–6 game. The Griffins finished first in the Midwest Division and defeated the Syracuse Crunch in the Calder Cup Finals to capture the Calder Cup championship. Mrázek played all 24 playoff games and was 15–9 with four shutouts, posting a 2.31 GAA and .916 save percentage.[6]

During the 2013–14 season, Mrázek was named to the AHL Second All-Star Team, finishing second in the AHL in GAA (2.10) and third in save percentage (.924) through 32 regular season games. He posted a 22–9–1 record in his second season with the Griffins, while also seeing action in nine games with Detroit in the NHL, obtaining a 2–4–0 record, 1.74 GAA and .927 save percentage. His two wins were shutouts at Edmonton on 2 November and at St. Louis on 13 April.[7]

Mrázek attempts to stop Bobby Butler during an AHL All-Star skills competition in January 2013

On 1 July 2014, the Detroit Red Wings signed Mrázek to a one-year contract extension.[8] During the 2014–15 season, he appeared in 29 games for the Red Wings, posting a 16–9–2 record, 2.38 GAA, .918 save percentage and three shutouts.[9] Mrázek was named the AHL Player of the Week for the week ending 1 March 2015, after leading the Griffins to three consecutive wins on the road, with a 0.67 GAA and .976 save percentage. He also recorded consecutive shutouts against the Milwaukee Admirals on 27 February and the Chicago Wolves on 28 February, becoming the third Griffin to ever record back-to-back road shutouts. Mrázek recorded three shutouts in his last four games. He has allowed just two goals in his last 247:21 of game time for a 0.49 GAA and 0.983 save percentage (117 saves from 119 shots) during that span.[10] Mrázek was recalled by the Red Wings on 9 March. Since being assigned to the Griffins on 17 February, Mrázek has not suffered a regulation loss, posting a 6–0–1 record, with a 1.13 goals against average, a 0.962 save percentage and three shutouts. Mrázek holds a record of 9–2–1 overall in 13 games with the Griffins this season, with a 2.06 goals against average and a 0.927 save percentage.[11]

On 16 April 2015, Mrázek made his Stanley Cup playoffs debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In his first playoff game, he posted 44 saves on 46 shots to help lead the Red Wings to a 3–2 win. On 21 April, Mrázek posted his first career playoff shutout in a 3–0 win.[12] On 25 April, Mrázek had another playoff shutout, a 4–0 win. He became the 14th Red Wings goaltender to post two shutouts in one playoff series, and only the third rookie goaltender to do so, following Earl Robertson in 1937 and Harry Lumley in 1945.[13][14] Among NHL rookie goaltenders who started more than 15 games, Mrázek placed third in wins, second in goals-against average, first in save percentage and second in shutouts. Following the 2014–15 season, Mrázek was named the Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association,[15] now known as Detroit Sports Media.

Mrázek was named the NHL Second Star of the Week for the week ending 11 January 2016. During that time, Mrázek went 3–0–0 with a .67 GAA and .978 save percentage. Mrázek's GAA ranks sixth among NHL goalies with as many games played. This season, in 28 games played, Mrázek has posted a 15–8–3 record with a 2.16 GAA and .930 save percentage. Only Washington's Braden Holtby (.932) and Florida's Roberto Luongo (.931) have better save percentages among goalies who have logged as many games played.[16]

On 27 July 2016, the Red Wings signed Mrázek to a two-year contract extension, avoiding arbitration.[17]

During the 2016–17 season, Mrázek went 18–21–9 with a 3.04 GAA, and a .901 save percentage, as the Red Wings 25-season playoff streak came to an end.

Philadelphia Flyers
Mrázek with the Flyers in February 2018

On 19 February 2018, Mrázek was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft and a conditional third-round pick in 2019.[18][19] On 22 February, he made his debut for the Flyers where he made 19 saves in a 2–1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.[20]

Carolina Hurricanes

At the conclusion of the season, Mrázek was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Flyers, releasing him to free agency. On July 1, 2018, Mrázek agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.[21]

Mrázek split most of the 2018–19 season with Curtis McElhinney. On April 4, 2019, Mrázek earned his 23rd win of the season as the Hurricanes clinched a playoff berth for the first time in 10 years. Overall, he recorded 23 wins and a 2.39 goals against average during the 2018–19 Carolina Hurricanes season, his best since 2015–16 with Detroit.

Mrázek and the Hurricanes then upset the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in an opening round seven-game series en route to the Eastern Conference Finals, also for the first time in 10 years. He suffered an injury during the second round against the New York Islanders and was replaced by goaltender Curtis McElhinney for several games.

On July 1, 2019, Mrázek re-signed with the Hurricanes on a two-year, $6.25 million contract.[22] He recorded a 21–16–2 record during the 2019–20 Carolina Hurricanes season prior to the pausing of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

International play
Medal record
Representing  Czech Republic
World Championships
2012 Helsinki

Mrázek represented the Czech Republic at the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Alberta, Canada. He backstopped the Czech Republic to the quarterfinals, where his team was finally eliminated from medal contention in overtime by the Russians. Mrázek was selected as the best goalkeeper of the championship. He was 3–3 with 1 shutout in six games at the WJC with a 2.49 goals against and .928 save percentage; highlighted by a 52-save effort in a 5–2 win over the USA. Mrázek was awarded the IIHF Directorate Top Goaltender award and was named one of the Czech Republic's top three players at the tournament.[6][23]

Mrázek represented the Czech Republic at the 2012 IIHF World Championship as the third goaltender, where he won a bronze medal.[24] He represented the Czech Republic at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where he was 1–0–1 with a 2.98 GAA, and .925 save percentage.[25] Mrázek represented the Czech Republic at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, where he was 1–2 with a 2.47 GAA, and .881 save percentage.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2009–10 Ottawa 67's OHL 30 12 9 1 1,562 78 3 3.00 .905 8 4 4 451 18 0 2.39 .928
2010–11 Ottawa 67's OHL 52 32 15 3 3,089 146 4 2.84 .920 4 0 3 224 21 0 5.63 .868
2011–12 Ottawa 67's OHL 50 30 13 6 3,016 143 3 2.84 .917 17 9 8 1,065 46 0 2.59 .926
2012–13 Toledo Walleye ECHL 3 2 1 0 179 6 0 2.01 .944 — — — — — — — —
2012–13 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 42 23 16 2 2,498 97 1 2.33 .916 24 15 9 1,431 55 4 2.31 .916
2012–13 Detroit Red Wings NHL 2 1 1 0 119 4 1 2.02 .922 — — — — — — — —
2013–14 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 32 22 9 1 1,830 63 3 2.10 .924 10 5 5 600 28 0 2.80 .911
2013–14 Detroit Red Wings NHL 9 2 4 0 449 13 2 1.74 .927 — — — — — — — —
2014–15 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 13 9 2 0 756 26 3 2.06 .927 — — — — — — — —
2014–15 Detroit Red Wings NHL 29 16 9 2 1,585 64 3 2.38 .918 7 3 4 398 14 2 2.11 .925
2015–16 Detroit Red Wings NHL 54 27 16 6 2,681 115 4 2.33 .921 3 1 2 178 4 1 1.36 .945
2016–17 Detroit Red Wings NHL 50 18 21 9 2,858 145 1 3.04 .901 — — — — — — — —
2017–18 Detroit Red Wings NHL 22 8 7 3 1,184 57 3 2.89 .910 — — — — — — — —
2017–18 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 17 6 6 3 913 49 1 3.22 .891 1 0 0 31 2 0 3.87 .857
2018–19 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 40 23 14 3 2,387 95 4 2.39 .914 11 5 5 660 30 2 2.73 .894
2019–20 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 40 21 16 2 2,321 104 3 2.69 .905 5 2 3 317 11 0 2.08 .929
NHL totals 263 122 94 28 14,776 645 21 2.62 .910 27 11 14 1,583 61 5 2.31 .914

Awards and honours
Award Year
F. W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy OHL Best Rookie Goals Against Average 2009–10
World Junior Ice Hockey Championships First Team All-Star 2012 [26]
World Junior Ice Hockey Championships Best goaltender 2012
AHL Second All-Star Team 2013–14 [27]

Trivia
  • Petr is a developer of the Minecraft Launcher ‘MultiMC’.

References
  1. Bowness, Rick (19 October 2011). "Mrazek sings three-year entry-level deal". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  2. "Griffins welcome Mrazek, Coetzee and Piche". Grand Rapids Griffins. 4 April 2011. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  3. "Mrazek named CCM/AHL Player of the Week". American Hockey League. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  4. "Mrazek wins NHL debut, Red Wings beat Blues 5-1". Yahoo! Sports. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  5. "Petr Mrazek (G) Grand Rapids Griffins". American Hockey League. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  6. "Petr Mrazek". Hockey's Future. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  7. "Wings in Waiting: Petr Mrazek". Detroit Red Wings. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  8. DiFillippo, Alex (1 July 2014). "Detroit signs Mrazek to one-year extension". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  9. Kujawa, Kyle (17 February 2015). "Red Wings recall Pulkkinen and assign Mrazek". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  10. "Griffins' Mrazek named Player of the Week". American Hockey League. 2 March 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  11. Kujawa, Kyle (9 March 2015). "Red Wings recall Petr Mrazek". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  12. Roose, Bill (21 April 2015). "Mrazek stymies Lightning in 3-0 win". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  13. Roose, Bill (25 April 2015). "Wings don't squander Game 5 lead". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  14. Peterson, Craig (26 April 2015). "Mrazek the difference maker in series". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  15. Kujawa, Kyle (4 June 2015). "Mrazek is DSBA's rookie of the year". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  16. Roose, Bill (11 January 2016). "Mrazek's big week earns him NHL honor". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  17. DiFilippo, Alex (27 July 2016). "Mrazek agrees to new two-year deal". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  18. "Flyers acquire G Petr Mrazek from Detroit". NHL.com. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  19. St. James, Helene (19 February 2018). "Detroit Red Wings trade Petr Mrazek to Philadelphia Flyers for draft picks". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  20. Bracy, Aaron (22 February 2018). "Ex-Red Wing Petr Mrazek has winning debut with Flyers". The Detroit News. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  21. "Canes agree to terms with Petr Mrazek". Carolina Hurricanes. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  22. "Carolina Hurricanes sign Petr Mrazek to two-year, $6.25m contract". CanesCountry. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  23. Morreale, Mike (30 December 2011). "Czechs stun U.S. behind Mrazek's goaltending". National Hockey League. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  24. "Mrazek, Koukal registered; Erat expected to join". International Ice Hockey Federation. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  25. "World Cup of Hockey: Abdelkader scores; USA loses to Mrazek, Czechs". Detroit Free Press. 23 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  26. "Kuznetsov named U20 MVP". International Ice Hockey Federation. 5 January 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  27. "First, Second Team AHL All-Stars named". American Hockey League. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
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