Carolina Hurricanes: The Rise, Fall, & Redemption of Petr Mrazek
![RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 15: Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes watches the action against the Washington Capitals during the third period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 15, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-0. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 15: Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes watches the action against the Washington Capitals during the third period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 15, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-0. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/8a877a876137e937678b3d4477b93e4e04300dd3bc554109f71a620887bb0b8d.jpg)
Mrazek finds redemption in Raleigh with Carolina Hurricanes
Mrazek didn’t have to wait long to find a hockey club willing to take him in. On the first day of free agency in 2018, President and General Manager Don Waddell inked Petr to a 1-year, $1.5M contract. With long-time starting goaltender Cam Ward signing a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks at the same time, the Canes needed a goalie to go with backup Scott Darling.
Petr’s goaltending record at the time of signing was 78-64-23, with a goals-against average of 2.66 and a .911 SV%. By the end of the past season, Petr had solidly established that he was back in full swing. 40 games played, 23 wins, 4 shutouts, 2.39 goals-against average, and a .914 SV% in the regular season. Those 23 wins were all quality starts, giving him a .575 quality start percentage.
Furthermore, his goals-against percent is a 95 (slightly above league-average) and his goals-saved-against average is a whopping 4.51, giving him an adjusted goals-against average of 2.54. Not a career best, but a significant return to prominence, and redemption for his career. Petr Mrazek recently re-signed with the Carolina Hurricanes hockey club to stay on through 2021-22 NHL season.
Must Read. Carolina has a Plethora of Netminders. light
Given Mrazek’s goaltending history, do you think he’ll continue to provide quality netminding, or will he see another recession? Let us know!