Nashville Predators: Marek Mazanec Days Left Until Hockey
Nashville Predators fans, there are officially 39 days left until hockey in Smashville!
The Nashville Predators Marek Mazanec is a Czech goaltender who was drafted 179th overall in the sixth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft .
Mazanec began his professional hockey career playing with HC Plzen in the Czech Extraliga during the 2009-10 season. Between 2009-13, Marek bounced around the Czech league playing with HC Plzen, HC Klatovy and IHC Pisek. Mazanec posted good numbers in the juniors and led his team to the playoffs on three separate occasions.
On May 3, 2013, Mazanec signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators. During his first season in Milwaukee, Mazanec went 18-10-3 and posted a 2.44 GAA and .914 SV%. Later that season, Marek got his first call-up and appeared in 25 games for the Predators.
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The 2014-15 season was not a fabulous year for Mazanec. Marek went 18-18-9 with a 2.76 GAA and .900 SV% but was recalled to appear in two games for Nashville.
The 2015-16 season became the most interesting season to date for Mazanec. He was the starting netminder for the Admirals with the opportunity to claim Pekka Rinne‘s backup position moving into the next season if the Preds did not resign Carter Hutton.
Not only was Mazanec playing for a promotion, he was playing for his job. Top goaltending prospect Juuse Saros served as his backup in Milwaukee, putting on quite a performance himself. Mazanec went 19-15-5 with a 2.45 GAA and a .912 SV%.
Mazanec proved that his time has come as he will start the 2016-17 season as Pekka Rinne’s backup in Nashville. He will still have to make every moment count as Juuse Saros will be in Milwaukee looking to make strides. With the preseason starting in a few weeks, Mazanec has the opportunity to prove he is worthy of the backup spot.
Be sure to stay tuned to Predlines as we continue our jersey countdown. Opening night is just 39 days away: October 14th against the Chicago Blackhawks!