Pickard Celebrates Hometown’s Spotlight on Hockey Day in Canada
Calvin Pickard, the Edmonton Oilers goalie, reflects on his upbringing in Moncton, New Brunswick. His hometown is featured as the host of Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada, which takes place this Saturday. Pickard, who was born in Moncton, moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the age of seven.
Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada
The 26th annual Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada will showcase Moncton and its significant hockey heritage. The Oilers will bring the event to a close with a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena, set for 10 p.m. ET. Other games on this special day include:
- Calgary Flames vs. New York Islanders at Scotiabank Saddledome – 3 p.m. ET
- Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Winnipeg Jets – 7 p.m. ET
- Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators – 7 p.m. ET
Pickard’s Hockey Journey
Pickard reminisces about his childhood in Moncton, recalling his satisfaction in playing sports like hockey, soccer, and baseball. He played just one season of minor hockey before his family relocated. Despite his initial reluctance to leave, he treasures his memories from Moncton.
His hockey career progressed when he was drafted by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the 2007 WHL Prospects Draft. Pickard spent four seasons in Seattle before being selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2010 NHL Draft.
Over his NHL career, Pickard has played for several teams, including:
- Colorado Avalanche
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Arizona Coyotes
- Detroit Red Wings
Current Season with Edmonton Oilers
In his third season with the Oilers, Pickard contributed significantly to the team’s recent playoff runs. Last postseason, he had an impressive 7-1 record with a 3.68 goals-against average. Unfortunately, injuries affected his performance in the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, where they fell in six games.
This season, Pickard has a record of 5-6-2 with a .871 save percentage. He currently shares goaltending duties with teammates Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch mentioned the uncertainty surrounding their goaltending strategy as Jarry returns from injury.
Community Impact
Pickard views the spotlight on Moncton as a positive for the local hockey community. “It’s cool. It’s a good hockey community,” he stated. Growing up, he closely followed the Moncton Wildcats, a local junior hockey team, aligning his passion for hockey with his roots.
As the host city for this year’s Hockey Day in Canada, Moncton will receive recognition for its rich hockey traditions. Pickard is excited for what this exposure means for his hometown.
