Peter Budaj was one of the most tenured Colorado Avalanche goaltenders through the 2000s. Drafted by the Avs 63rd overall in the 2001 NHL Draft, the Slovakian netminder started his career in the OHL in Toronto.
From 1999 to 2002, he played for the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors consistently playing 34-42 games a year. At the start of the 2002/03 season, he was promoted to the AHL to the Hershey Bears.
While only playing 28 games in his first season, he became more tenured and present in his crease. His save percentage increased from .