The story of Petr Mrazek’s redemption with the Carolina Hurricanes is one for the books.
The Canes had a storied season in 2018-19. But within the greater team epic, there are the individual stories. The 27-year old Czechoslovakian native wasn’t always the on-ice phenom we know and love today. Here we will be looking back on Petr Mrazek‘s rise to the NHL, his fall from grace, and his redemption with Carolina.
The OHL
First appearing in North American hockey at the age of 17 with the Ottawa 67’s. In the 2009-10 season Mrazek only suited up for 30 games, posting a 12-9-1 record with 2 shutouts, 3 assists, a 3.00 GAA, and .905 SV%. In the playoffs, we started to get a glimpse of what Petr was capable of. Despite Ottawa being knocked out in the second round, Mrazek was the 4th best netminder in GAA (2.39), and tied for 3rd best SV% (.928).
The 2010-11 OHL season would be Petr’s first full run with the 67’s, seeing him suit up for a staggering 52 games. In the regular season, he was 2nd for overall for GP and first for TOI at 3109 minutes. It would also be his first career 30-win season, seeing him go 33-15-1-3, which was 2nd overall in wins. He was also ranked 1st in SV% (.920) and 5th in GAA (2.84). This stellar second year earned him a spot on the OHL’s third All-Star Team.
Petr would go on post his first consecutive 30-win season with the 67’s in the 11-12 season, logging a 30-13-6 record with three shutouts. He would help lead the Ottawa 67’s to the Eastern Conference Finals, appearing in 17 of the team’s 18 games. At the end end the team’s Memorial Cup run, he had a 2.59 GAA and .929 SV%. But the best was yet to come, despite another sensational season.