Western Conference Hottie: Joe Pavelski (San Jose Sharks)

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: He played in 84 games over two seasons (2004–06) at the University of Wisconsin. He recorded 101 points (39-62). Pavelski was named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team in 2005, was selected to the All-WCHA Second Team. He helped Wisconsin win the 2006 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship, while leading the team in overall points.

Pavelski began his NHL career in the 06/07 season. He started on a hot streak, scoring a goal in his first game, and scoring a total 7 goals and 10 points in his first 12 games. He continued playing well, but suffered a leg injury which reduced his playing time.

During the 07/08 season, Pavelski became a regular player on the Sharks roster and one of the best and most consistent young players on the squad, playing in all 82 regular season games and in all 13 playoff games. He also became one of the most dangerous players in the NHL during shootouts, scoring seven times on 11 opportunities that season. During the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, he was tied with Ryane Clowe for the team lead in goals (five) and tied for second with Clowe in points (nine). Pavelski also led San Jose with three game-winning goals during the playoffs, which tied for third most in the league. In addition to his offensive numbers, he finished tied 12th among NHL forwards in blocked shots (59) during the regular season.

Pavelski had another solid season in 08/09, playing in 80 games and recording 25 goals, 34 assists, and 59 points—career highs for all three statistics.

During the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Pavelski had three straight multigoal games (Game 6 versus Colorado and Games 1 & 2 against Detroit), not only helping the Sharks win all said games, but also becoming the first player to do so since Mario Lemieux in 1992.

On January 1, 2010, Pavelski was selected to the 2010 USA Olympic team, the only USA player from the San Jose Sharks. He had 3 assists in the team's silver medal effort and was second in faceoff percentage amongst all players in the tournament. In the waning seconds of regulation time in the gold medal game, Pavelski won a faceoff, swatted a clearing attempt out of the air, and made a pass that set up the play that resulted in the USA tying the game with 24 seconds left.

REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: Pavelski is the kind of guy you can imagine living a few doors down from you. Can't you just see it... (phone rings) "Hey, Joe, would you mind coming down and changing this light bulb, I can't reach it." [His height of 5'11 would be of great use in this situation] Or maybe... "Would you mind helping me move my couch? It's too big and heavy to do by myself, I'll even make you dinner by way of thanks. Then we can sit on the couch and watch a movie, and then....

I think you ladies will all agree, there are an infinite number of instances where living next door to Joe Pavelski would prove advantageous....

Please, by all means feel free to leave any I've missed in the comments.

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