Part 3 of 5: 100th Unique Goaltender to the Museum, 100th Career Win Piece! Why Not!

**IrbeFan4Life** · 07-25-2016, 03:52 PM

Again,if you like goaltending awesomeness, don't forget to "LIKE" Bruce C.Goaltending Museum on Facebook for the latest in what's going on at the museum,plus more detailed photographs and occasional giveaways, etc.

Sotoday marks the third of five new additions to the museum. I jumped a less coolpiece, in my opinion, to day four so the milestones could line up. Whatmilestone is that? Well, this piece is of the 100th unique goaltender represented in themuseum (also the 130th piece we currently have), and this piece also happens tobe the 100th career win jersey of the player.

Bornon September 18, 1982 in Bystrica, Slovakia, Peter Budaj was a standoutgoaltender in Juniors with the Toronto St. Michael's Majors of the OHL. In2001, the Colorado Avalanche took notice and drafted Budaj with the 63rd pickof the draft. After completing his OHL career in 2001-02, Budaj made thetransition to the American Hockey League in 2002-03 and quickly took over thestarting role on the Hershey Bears. In 2005-06, it happened instantaneously.Budaj had earned the full-time backup position to David Aebischer. Budaj madehis NHL debut on October 8, 2005 against the Dallas Stars and stopped 16 of 18shots in a 3-2 victory. In that rookie season, he appeared in 34 games. Thenext season, he took over the starting role from former Vezina winner JoseTheodore,a nd appeared in 57 games, recording an impressive 31-16-6 record withthree shutouts. The following season, he was once again backup to Theodore.After the departure of Theodore, Budaj earned himself the starting role againby appearing in 56 games, this time over former Calder Trophy winner, AndrewRaycroft. In 2009-10, Craig Anderson was acquired by the Avs and saw Budaj dropto his lowqest ever game count in his career, a total of only 15 games behindAnderson. In 2010-11, Budaj competed strongly against Anderson before BrianElliott was acquired from Ottawa in direct exchange for Anderson. That year, heput up another 45 games. For the next three seasons, he was the full-timebackup goaltender to Carey Price, putting up respectable numbers in 54appearances over those season. In 2014-15, the Winnipeg Jets signed him,however, he played exclusively in the minors. The Los Angeles Kings took a chanceat Budaj in 2015-16. Though he played in AHL for most of the year (and recordeda superb year to boot), he did earn himself one appearance with the main club,and earning a victory in the process. He is under contract with the Kingsthrough 2016-17.

Ashe is still active in the league, career numbers will not be posted as it mayyet change.

Thejersey you are looking at right now is a 2010-11 Colorado Avalanche White SetIII Sweater worn by Peter Budaj in nine total games, six games played and threeas a backup only. Among the games he wore this for was his 100th career NHL winon April 1, 2011 vs the Phoenix Coyotes. Wear is quite nice, from post painttransfer, to piling, to black marks, to a decently sized unrepaired hole. Atruly worthy addition to the museum!

Acquiredfrom: Meigray Group

Datesof Game Use:
March8, 2011 v Minnesota (20-24, 5-2L)
March12, 2011 v Nashville (25-28, 4-2L)
March17, 2011 v Calgary (23-28, 5-2L)
March26, 2011 v Los Angeles (21-25, 4-1L)
April1, 2011 v Phoenix (35-38, 4-3SOW)
April5, 2011 v St. Louis (26-28, 3-1L)

Photomatched:YES