Tri-City Americans Alum Chet Pickard Selected by Nashville Predators in First Round of NHL Draft

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com – KENNEWICK, WA – The Tri-City Americans are proud to announce that 18-year-old goaltender Chet Pickard was drafted in the first round (18th overall) by the Nashville Predators in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft held today at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario.

By being selected, Pickard becomes the 52nd Tri-City Americans player to be taken in the NHL Draft and the 12th to be taken in the first round, joining former Americans and current NHL stars Stu Barnes, Olaf Kolzig, Daymond Langkow, Brian Boucher, Scott Gomez and Carey Price.  The Predators made Pickard the first goalie taken in this year’s draft and the sixth player taken from the Western Hockey League.

In just his first season as starting goaltender, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native set a franchise
ADVERTISEMENT record for wins in a season (46) and goals against average (2.32), both previously held by Price.  His 46 wins marked only the sixth time in Western Hockey League history that a player has won 46 or more games in a season.  He also backstopped the Americans to their first U.S. Division title in the team’s 20-year history, while collecting WHL and CHL Goaltender of the Year honors.

“We are very proud of Chet’s development.  He’s represented the team, the League and the community very well,” commented Americans Governor/General Manager Bob Tory.  “Chet will play an integral part of our club this season and will provide leadership and stability to our hockey club.”

For comments, please contact Bob Tory at 509.430.3916.

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