31 Peter Budaj
2005-2006 Tenth Season
CCM Airknit. Set 1. Neck tagging 58 Goalie Cut.
NHL-MGG No. C02592 
This is the set 1 rookie jersey from Peter Budaj's first NHL start and first NHL win. Of the jerseys I have from this season, ironically this one of the back-up goalie shows the best overall wear. The body and sleeves show an abundance of black marks, with several heavy ones in the crest area. The left sleeve sports a two-inch repair in the forearm. The collar and cuffs show some light pilling from the goaltender's equipment. The marks in the upper body have been video matched to a number of early season games, when Budaj was playing regularly and contending for the starting job, as David Aebischer struggled in goal. The neck tagging is a double tag, with the back tag showing size 58 and the front tag designating the jersey as a goalie cut. The MeiGray tag is sewn in the rear hem, and the jersey is accompanied by the NHL-MGG LOA. This season's jerseys are tagged "04-05" as the jerseys were prepped prior to the lockout—an additional tag has been sewn next to the set tag designating the jersey as having been worn in 05-06 instead
[ click on individual thumbnails to see larger images ]
Neck tags
Neck tags
Set patch
NHL shield
Upper body wear
10th Anniversary patch
Body wear
Sleeve wear
Sleeve number
Peter Budaj was born September 18, 1982 in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. The first choice, 63rd overall selection of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Budaj is a graduate of the OHL's St. Michael's Majors.
In his three seasons with St. Michael's, Budaj finished with a 49-39-9 record while leading all OHL goaltenders in wins (26), fewest losses (9), goals against average (2.29), and save percentage (.922) during the 2001-02 season. A two-time member of Slovakia's World Junior team (2001-2002), Budaj also represented his homeland at the 2000 Under 18 World Championships where he was named Slovakia's MVP.
In the fall of 2002 Budaj made his professional debut with the AHL's Hershey Bears and went on to play three full seasons with the club before making his NHL debut with Colorado during the 2005-06 season. He made his National Hockey League debut, and earned his first league victory, on October 8, 2005.
Aside from his World Junior experience, Budaj represented his homeland at the World Cup in 2004 and the 2006 Winter Olympics.
In Colorado, Budaj began to emerge as an legitimate starting goaltender in the NHL. Aside from the 2010-11 season his goals-against-average never climbed over 2.86.
On April 1, 2011, Budaj became the first Slovakian goaltender to reach 100 career NHL wins when the Avalanche defeated the Phoenix Coyotes.
In the summer of 2011, Budaj's time in Colorado would come to an end. He signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Montreal Canadiens.
Goaltender
Born: September 18, 1982 - Bystrica, Slovakia
6-0, 200 lbs.
Selected by the Colorado Avalanche in round 2 (#63 overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Signed as a free agent by Montreal, July 1, 2011.
- OHL Second All-Star Team (2002)
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