The Bright Future of Petr Mrazek

21 year-old goaltender, Petr Mrazek has several people buzzing about his
bright future in a Red Wing uniform.
Photo Courtesy: Griffinshockey.com

After Jimmy Howard busted onto the Detroit hockey scene in the 2009-10 season, everybody knew the Red Wings had found their goaltender for the future. However, with the 141st pick in the 2010 NHL entry draft, the Red Wings chose 18 year-old goalie, Petr Mrazek out of the Czech Republic. At the time, who would think much of a fifth round pick making a large impact on the NHL's top franchise in just a few seasons? However, that's what is beginning to happen, slowly but surely.

The young phenom would start off his career in the ECHL with the Toledo Walleye. Despite only starting three games, Mrazek posted a record of 2-1, and was quickly called up to the AHL to play for the Grand Rapids Griffins. Mrazek would immediately make an impact, putting up a tremendous 16-7-3 record with the Griffins. After a couple of seasons in Grand Rapids, on February 7, 2013, the Red Wings made the call to give Mrazek his NHL debut against the St. Louis Blues on the road, in which he would stop 26 of 27 shots in a 5-1 victory. Mrazek would make one more start for the Red Wings, giving up three goals in a losing effort to the Minnesota Wild, and he would be sent back down to Grand Rapids.

Since then, Mrazek has been standing out, especially during the Calder Cup playoffs. The 21 year-old standout has already broken one of Jimmy Howard's Griffins playoff records with two shutouts. Also, Mrazek was one of the main pieces that helped the Griffins slip past the Houston Aeros in a best-of-five series, shutting out of the Aeros in the pivotal game five, and allowing a goal against average of just 2.20.

Following that shutout, the Griffins would advance to take on the Toronto Marlies in the Western Conference semifinals without home ice advantage. However, in game one, Mrazek would pick up where he left off against the Aeros, completing another shutout. During several home games throughout the series, former Red Wings goalie, Chris Osgood would be seen high above the ice in Van Andel Arena, cheering on Mrazek and muttering to himself on what the goaltender could improve on. As the games got more intense, Mrazek continued to come through, making Osgood proud, and leading the Griffins to the series victory over the Toronto Marlies in six games.

Next, the stage increased once again as they advanced to play the Oklahoma City Barons in the Calder Cup Western Conference Finals. During game one of the series, Mrazek would stop 27 of 28 shots faced, completing the 2-1 victory. Just one night later, Mrazek was back out in between the pipes, this time in a losing effort, allowing four goals on 37 shots in the 4-2 loss to even the series at one game a piece.


Moving forward, this young phenom will look to compete to become Jimmy Howard's full-time backup in Detroit. After watching Jimmy Howard in a Griffins uniform just a few seasons ago, fans in Grand Rapids are being spoiled by the elite goaltenders coming through Van Andel Arena. Watch for #34 to make his impact sooner rather than later in Joe Louis Arena.