NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
The MTS Centre is not an easy building to play in – its loud , but a lot of fun too . I was happy with my limited nerves . But for sure , it can be tough when the anthems are playing and your family and friends are all there watching you
Winnipeg , Pickard said that he was actually quite pleased with his composure and ability to tune out the boisterous Winnipeg Jets ’ faithful .
“ I was actually pretty happy with myself that I didn ’ t get too caught up in it ,” he said . “ I know that at times I get a bit too excited and nervous , but I ’ ve played in some tough buildings . The MTS Centre is not an easy building to play in – its loud , but a lot of fun too . I was happy with my limited nerves . But for sure , it can be tough when the anthems are playing and your family and friends are all there watching you .”
Currently boasting a career 2.68 goals against average , a . 918 save percentage , and 20 wins to go along with two NHL shutouts , Pickard has certainly started 2017 off on the right foot . But with the team struggling and rumours of potential Varlamov trades flooding the dressing room , one might think that Pickard would be slightly on edge . However , according to the jovial Winnipegger , that ’ s just part of the game .
“ You know , I just don ’ t let those kind of things bother me ,” he said . “ Varly is a great guy , and does awesome things for our team . He ’ s taught me a lot , and I ’ m very appreciative of that . Every Canadian kid dreams of growing up to play in the NHL , so I ’ m not complaining .”
Pickard and his Avalanche have entered the second half of the season and with the playoffs most likely out of the picture again this year , the 6-foot-1 , 200 pounder should enjoy another long off-season back home .
“ During the off-season I like to play golf and hang out with my friends back home ,” he said . “ I ’ m usually in Winnipeg for most of the summer months , so it ends up being a lot of working out and training ( at Focus Fitness ). I spend a lot of time with my buddies , as well as hanging out at the lake .”
Although thoughts of summer are always welcomed in Winterpeg , for now it is nothing but nose to the grindstone for the former WHL All-Star .. n
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