Pavelski Scores in NHL Debut
November 23, 2006 | Men's Hockey
Former Wisconsin All-American Joe Pavelski made his NHL debut last night for the San Jose Sharks and tallied a goal in the his first career game. Pavelski and the Sharks earned a 6-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in the contest.
Pavelski, the AHL Rookie of the Month for October for his play with the Worcester Sharks, was leading all AHL rookies and ranked third among all players in the AHL before getting called up.
The phone rang at 4 a.m., Wednesday morning in Massachusetts with the call up to San Jose for Pavelski. The Sharks have lost two of their leading scorers, Jonathan Cheechoo (15 points) and Milan Michalek (23 points), to recent injuries and were looking for additional scoring.
'I got the call at 4 a.m., Eastern Time, and arrived in San Francisco around Noon,' Pavelski said. 'I don't know what time is it in the East right now, but I'm ready for bed.'
Pavelski played on a line with Patrick Marleau, the Sharks' leading scorer with 13 goals and 27 points, as well as Steve Bernier.
'I got some food when I got to San Jose (which was around 1 p.m.),' he said. 'I tried to take a nap, but that didn't go very well because the phone was ringing off the hook. I couldn't really sleep. So, I came to the arena early to sort out some things with sticks and skates.
'These guys are doing pretty good up here,' Pavelski said about his new teammates. 'There's a lot of great players. I'm just trying to fill in, make a name for myself and earn everyone's respect.'
Pavelski became the third former Badger this season to make his NHL debut. 2005-06 Badger captain Adam Burish made the Chicago Blackhawks out of training camp and played in six games before getting sent down to the AHL's Norfolk Admirals. Defenseman Alex Brooks (1997-01), like Pavelski earned a point in his first career game, tallying an assist for the New Jersey Devils against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Since his early season call up from the AHL's Lowell Devils, Brooks has skated in 11 games for the Devils.
Pavelski's debut brings the number of former Badgers to have skated in the NHL up to 53, including 15 this season.
