Picard Named to Team Canada for World Juniors

Chet Picard in Predator colors in the preseason

To no one’s surprise, Predator prospect Chet Picard was named as one of two goaltenders on Team Canada’s roster for the upcoming World Junior Championship that begins on Boxing Day and will be held on Canada’s home soil in Ottawa. He is the odds on favorite to be named the starting goalkeeper as the camp continues. Canada’s first game will be against the Czechs on the tournament’s opening day.

The 19 year old 6’1” 216 pounder from Winnipeg, MB was the first goalie drafted in last summers NHL draft at 18^th and has been having a stellar season this year in his fourth season playing for the Tri City Americans of the WHL. Last season he was named WHL and CHL Goaltender of the year when he amassed 46 wins becoming the 6^th WHL goaltender ever to surpass the 45 win mark. In 2006-07 he was the Americans backup goalie to current Montreal Habs young star Carey Price.

Picard has been a product of team Canada’s developmental program attending Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence for Goalies the last two summers. Picard joins other Predator youngsters Jonathon Blum and Colin Wilson in the tournament as they represent the USA squad.

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass