NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Calvin Pickard:
The new
By Carter Brooks Photos by Will Borys and James Carey Lauder
No. 1 Goaltender in Colorado
To say Fort Garry product, Calvin Pickard is enjoying life as an NHL goaltender for the Colorado Avalanche, would be an understatement. Pickard is absolutely loving his opportunity to play professional hockey – something that probably would not have transpired if it were not for a family decision made years ago, back on the squally shores of Canada’ s east coast.
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Every bio of Calvin Pickard that exists, lists the 24-year-old goaltender’ s hometown as Moncton, New Brunswick. He was definitely born in Moncton – in April of 1992 to be exact. However, according to Pickard himself, Winnipeg is his true hometown.
“ I grew up on the east coast, but my dad’ s work was what prompted the family to move to Winnipeg,” Pickard said.“ My dad was transferred in 2000 and we moved the whole family out to Winnipeg. Winnipeg became my home, and I still live here to this day.”
Interestingly enough, Pickard only began playing hockey at age eight as a forward – a position he still likes to play in summer beer league hockey-- one year before he left for Winnipeg. However, after arriving in the middle of the country, something changed inside him and it was a change for the better.
“ I actually only played one year of hockey in New Brunswick, and