I started playing as a skater ,” he said . “ But for some reason , once I got to Winnipeg I felt the need to take on some goaltending duties here . I think I was about nine or 10 when I made the full move to goalie . It was definitely a good thing .”
Working himself up the ranks in the Winnipeg minor hockey program out of Fort Gar- r y , Pickard spent time with the Winnipeg Twins , Monarchs and Wild before finding himself drafted by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the second round of the 2007 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft .
After two seasons in the WHL , Pickard was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft – once again in the second round . Pickard spent four seasons in the WHL before making the jump to the American Hockey League . He played another four years with Colorado ’ s affiliate , Lake Erie Monsters before ultimately joining the big leagues .
Serving as a backup to established NHL netminder , Semyon Varlamov , in Colorado has been quite the learning experience for Pickard . Going from playing every day , to playing once every week or two has been an adjustment that the young goaltender has taken in stride . On top of the chance to play hockey in the NHL , Pickard also receives teaching and guidance from a proven NHL goaltender every day – something he cherishes .
However , with Varlamov battling the injury bug for the better part of the 2016-17 season , Pickard finally got the chance to put his skills on display . Then , when it was announced in late January that Varlamov would be shut down for the remainder of the season following hip surgery , the reins were handed over to Pickard , giving him a great chance to play just about every night .
Although playing for the team that finds themselves dead last in the NHL entering February , Pickard is relishing his opportunity to be the Avs ’ No . 1 goaltender .
“ It ’ s a good opportunity for me to play some games ,” he said . “ Obviously this season hasn ’ t gone the way we had wanted it to go so far , but that ’ s the way it is . But I ’ m just going to continue to put in the work and take advantage of my opportunities when I get them .”
One such opportunity for the Oak Park High School alum was coming back home to Winnipeg and starting his first NHL game back in his hometown this past December .
“ It ’ s the town I grew up in , so going to the rink , practicing , warming up and actually getting the start and playing was very exciting ,” Pickard reflected . “ We actually got in pretty late , but I still got to go home and have a nice home-cooked meal with my family , then I went out and saw a couple old buddies , too . It was a lot of fun having family and friends out to the game as well . It ’ s always nice to see the people you grew up with and the family that raised you . It was a lot of fun .”
When asked if he got the shivers during the anthem in his first game back in
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