2010-11 Peter Budaj Game Worn White Set 3 Sweater

​Born on September 18, 1982 in Bystrica, Slovakia, Peter Budaj was a standout goaltender in Juniors with the Toronto St. Michael's Majors of the OHL. In 2001, the Colorado Avalanche took notice and drafted Budaj with the 63rd pick of the draft. After completing his OHL career in 2001-02, Budaj made the transition to the American Hockey League in 2002-03 and quickly took over the starting role on the Hershey Bears. In 2005-06, it happened instantaneously. Budaj had earned the full-time backup position to David Aebischer. Budaj made his NHL debut on October 8, 2005 against the Dallas Stars and stopped 16 of 18 shots in a 3-2 victory. In that rookie season, he appeared in 34 games. The next season, he took over the starting role from former Vezina winner Jose Theodore,a nd appeared in 57 games, recording an impressive 31-16-6 record with three shutouts. The following season, he was once again backup to Theodore. After the departure of Theodore, Budaj earned himself the starting role again by appearing in 56 games, this time over former Calder Trophy winner, Andrew Raycroft. In 2009-10, Craig Anderson was acquired by the Avs and saw Budaj drop to his lowqest ever game count in his career, a total of only 15 games behind Anderson. In 2010-11, Budaj competed strongly against Anderson before Brian Elliott was acquired from Ottawa in direct exchange for Anderson. That year, he put up another 45 games. For the next three seasons, he was the full-time backup goaltender to Carey Price, putting up respectable numbers in 54 appearances over those season. In 2014-15, the Winnipeg Jets signed him, however, he played exclusively in the minors. The Los Angeles Kings took a chance at Budaj in 2015-16. Though he played in AHL for most of the year (and recorded a superb year to boot), he did earn himself one appearance with the main club, and earning a victory in the process. In 2016-17 he put himself back on the map when Jonathan Quick was injured. Budaj appeared in 53 games and recorded a career best 7 shutouts to go along with a 27-20-3 record. With Quick returning from injury and not wanting to squander Budaj, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. After a final three game stint with Los Angeles in 2018-19, Budaj retired from play.
 
In his NHL career, Budaj appeared in 368 games, recording a 158-132-40 with 18 shutouts, 11 assists, a 2.70GAA, and a 0.904% save average. In seven playoff games, he recorded an 0-2 record with a 5.13GAA and a 0.843% save average.
 
The jersey you are looking at right now is a 2010-11 Colorado Avalanche White Set III Sweater worn by Peter Budaj in nine total games, six games played and three as a backup only. Among the games he wore this for was his 100th career NHL win on April 1, 2011 vs the Phoenix Coyotes. Wear is quite nice, from post paint transfer, to piling, to black marks, to a decently sized unrepaired hole. A truly worthy addition to the museum!
 
Acquired from: Meigray Group
 
Dates of Game Use:
March 8, 2011 v Minnesota (20-24, 5-2L)
March 12, 2011 v Nashville (25-28, 4-2L)
March 17, 2011 v Calgary (23-28, 5-2L)
March 26, 2011 v Los Angeles (21-25, 4-1L)
April 1, 2011 v Phoenix (35-38, 4-3SOW)
April 5, 2011 v St. Louis (26-28, 3-1L)
 
Photomatched: YES