Pavel Francouz

Pavel Francouz (born 3 June 1990) is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing under contract to the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL).
==Playing career==
===Czech Republic===
Francouz first played at the junior level within the ranks of hometown club, HC Plzeň. As a 15-year-old he backstopped the club's under-18 team in the 2005–06 season posting sub 2.00 GAA. In the following 2006–07 season he led the league with 25 wins. In the 2007–08 season, Francouz assumed the starting goaltender position at the highest junior level in the Czech Republic at the under-20 league. He recorded 25 wins in 37 games to lead the club into the post-season.
Having signed a first team contract with HC Plzeň, Francouz made his professional debut in the Czech Extraliga during the 2008–09 season. In 15 games he collected 6 wins with a solid SV% of .922. At the under-20 level he finished the season with the League's best statistics in all categories.
Francouz spent the next 2009–10 season continuing his development, appearing in 8 Extraliga games, while also playing in the Czech 1. Liga on loan to HC Tabor and SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč.
On 13 May 2010, in order to earn more experience professionally, Francouz left Plzeň to sign a contract with HC Slovan Ústečtí Lvi of the Czech 1. Liga. In the 2010–11 season, he was initially loaned to former 1. Liga club SK Horácká before splitting the year in making an impact with his new club Ústečtí Lvi, posting the best GAA and SV% in the League and leading Slovan Ústečtí Lvi to the championship.
During his second season with Ústečtí in 2011–12, Francouz strong play was rewarded as he was loaned and trained with HC Oceláři Třinec. He made in just one appearance with Třinec, allowing 4 goals against before he was replaced in the second intermission.
On 9 May 2012, Francouz secured a place in the Extraliga agreeing to a contract with HC Litvínov beginning from the 2012–13 season. He instantly assumed Litvínov's starting role and in 46 games repaid the club by registering the most league wins with 26 and earn recognition as the Extraliga's Best Goaltender.
In the 2014–15 season, Francouz through 46 games cemented his status as the best Goaltender in the Czech Republic, leading the league in most statistical categories, to earn the MVP award of both regular season and playoffs as Litvínov claimed the Championship.
===Traktor Chelyabinsk===
After three years in Litvínov, Francouz opted to leave as a free agent and continue his career in Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) by agreeing to a three-year contract with Russian outfit, Traktor Chelyabinsk on 30 April 2015. In his first season with Traktor in 2015–16, Francouz assumed backup duties to Vasili Demchenko. He posted a .924 save percentage despite collecting just 3 wins in 18 games as Chelyabinsk missed the post-season.
In the following 2016–17 season, Francouz shared the starting role with Demchenko after initially earning KHL player of the week honors (30 October). He continued his strong play earning a selection to the 2017 All-Star Game. In 30 games with Traktor, Francouz accumulated 14 wins and finished the year with the KHL's best SVS% (.953).
Despite lucrative contract offers and interest, Francouz was not released from the final year of his contract and remained in Traktor for the 2017–18 season. He again shared starting duties and appeared in a season high 35 games for 15 wins and for the second consecutive season led the league in SVS%. Selected to backstop the club in the post-season, and led Traktor to the Conference Finals before suffering a series defeat to eventual Champions Ak Bars Kazan.
===Colorado Avalanche===
Francouz signed a one-year one-way deal of $690,000, contract with the Colorado Avalanche on 2 May 2018.
On July 1st, 2019 it was announced that Francouz would be the backup goalie for the upcoming season.
==International play==
Francouz was first introduced to the International stage at the Junior level, competing for Czech Republic at the Division I 2008 World U18 Championships in Kazan, Russia. As the team's backup he appeared in one game, helping Czech Republic place first in Group A and return to the Top Division for the following year. He next featured for the Czechs at the 2010 World Junior Championship.
Francouz made his senior debut with the Czech Republic, competing in the 2013 World Championship. He made two relief appearances for the Czech's in a 7th-place finish. He was named to the roster of the 2014 World Championships, however failed to feature in a game before making his first full start at the 2016 World Championships.
In the 2017 World Championships he shared netminding duties with Petr Mrázek, posting a 3–1 record with a 1.49 goals against and 9.10 save percentage. As an established member of the national team, Francouz was next selected to participate at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Korea. As the first choice, Francouz appeared in every game for the Czech Republic, posting a 4–2 record in helping reach the semi-finals before losing to Russia. He was unable to prevent the Czechs suffer a 4–6 defeat in the bronze medal game against Canada on 24 February 2018.
On 26 April 2018, Francouz was slated to make his fifth tournament appearance with Czech Republic after he was selected for the 2018 World Championships.
==Personal==
Francouz was born in Plzeň of then Czechoslovakia. He holds a pilot license, in which he uses throughout the off-season.
==Career statistics==
===Regular season and playoffs===
 	 	 		Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season		Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs
Season 	Team 	League 		GP 	W 	L 	OT 	MIN 	GA 	SO 	GAA 	SV% 		GP 	W 	L 	MIN 	GA 	SO 	GAA 	SV%
2007–08 	HC Plzeň 	Czech20 		37 	25 	12 	0 	2163 	95 	4 	2.64 	.915 		5 	2 	3 	299 	12 	0 	2.41 	.926
2008–09 	HC Plzeň 	Czech20 		20 	16 	4 	0 	1205 	35 	6 	1.74 	.953 		— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2008–09 	HC Plzeň 	ELH 		15 	6 	9 	0 	709 	35 	0 	2.96 	.922 		5 	0 	2 	0 	156 	5 	1.92 	.941
2008–09 	SHC Klatovy 	Czech.2 		1 	0 	1 	0 	25 	4 	0 	9.60 	.000 		— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2009–10 	HC Plzeň 	Czech20 		6 	6 	0 	0 	360 	11 	0 	1.83 	.948 		2 	1 	1 	120 	4 	0 	2.00 	.944
2009–10 	HC Plzeň 	ELH 		8 	3 	5 	0 	469 	29 	0 	3.71 	.867 		— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2009–10 	HC Tabor 	Czech.1 		9 	5 	4 	0 	546 	22 	0 	2.42 	.906 		— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2009–10 	SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč	Czech.1 		4 	2 	2 	0 	238 	7 	1 	1.76 	.948 		9 	5 	4 	553 	25 	0 	2.71 	.926
2010–11 	HC Slovan Ústečtí Lvi 	Czech20 		29 	10 	13 	3 	1527 	87 	0 	3.42 	.896 		— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2010–11 	SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč	Czech.1 		15 	9 	6 	0 	913 	27 	3 	1.77 	.952 		— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2010–11 	HC Slovan Ústečtí Lvi 	Czech.1 		15 	10 	5 	0 	922 	32 	1 	2.08 	.926 		10 	9 	1 	602 	18 	0 	1.79 	.944
2011–12 	HC Slovan Ústečtí Lvi 	Czech.1 		16 	12 	4 	0 	947 	28 	3 	1.77 	.939 		— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2011–12 	HC Oceláři Třinec 	ELH 		1 	0 	1 	0 	40 	4 	0 	6.00 	.800 		— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2012–13 	HC Litvínov 	ELH 		46 	26 	20 	0 	2706 	117 	1 	2.59 	.920 		7 	3 	4 	440 	16 	2 	2.18 	.935
2013–14 	HC Litvínov 	ELH 		48 	24 	24 	0 	2906 	98 	6 	2.02 	.932 		— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2014–15 	HC Litvínov 	ELH 		46 	32 	12 	0 	2711 	94 	7 	2.08 	.931 		17 	12 	5 	1045 	24 	4 	1.38 	.953
2015–16 	Traktor Chelyabinsk 	KHL 		18 	3 	7 	3 	787 	29 	0 	2.21 	.924 		— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2016–17 	Traktor Chelyabinsk 	KHL 		30 	14 	9 	3 	1719 	41 	5 	1.43 	.953 		6 	2 	4 	335 	12 	0 	2.15 	.924
2017–18 	Traktor Chelyabinsk 	KHL 		35 	15 	11 	5 	1964 	59 	5 	1.80 	.946 		12 	6 	5 	696 	22 	0 	1.90 	.949
2018–19 	Colorado Eagles 	AHL 		49 	27 	17 	3 	2803 	125 	3 	2.68 	.918 		4 	1 	3 	236 	13 	0 	3.31 	.895
2018–19 	Colorado Avalanche 	NHL 		2 	0 	2 	0 	62 	2 	0 	1.97 	.943 		— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
KHL totals	KHL totals 	KHL totals		83 	32 	27 	11 	4470 	129 	10 	1.73 	.945 		18 	8 	9 	1031 	34 	0 	1.98 	.943
NHL totals	NHL totals 	NHL totals		2 	0 	2 	0 	62 	2 	0 	1.97 	.943 		— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
===International===
Year 	Team 	Event 	Result 		GP	W 	L	OT	MIN 	GA	SO	GAA 	SV%
2008 	Czech Republic	WJC18-D1 	11th 		1 	1 	0	0 	60 	2 	0 	2.00	.895
2010 	Czech Republic	WJC 	7th 		2 	0 	1	0 	100 	8 	0 	4.76	.862
2013 	Czech Republic	WC 	7th 		2 	0 	0	0 	7 	0 	0 	0.00	1.000
2014 	Czech Republic	WC 	4th 		— 	— 	—	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2016 	Czech Republic	WC 	5th 		4 	4 	0	0 	245 	10	0 	2.45	.896
2017 	Czech Republic	WC 	7th 		4 	3 	1	0 	241 	6 	1 	1.49	.910
2018 	Czech Republic	OG 	4th 		6 	4 	2	0 	370 	14	0 	2.27	.905
2018 	Czech Republic	WC 	7th 		5 	4 	1	0 	303 	12	1 	2.38	.904
2019 	Czech Republic	WC 	4th 		3 	2 	0	0 	155 	2 	2 	0.77	.957
Junior totals	Junior totals 	Junior totals	Junior totals		3 	1 	1	0 	160 	10	0 	3.85	.882
Senior totals	Senior totals 	Senior totals	Senior totals		24	17	4	0 	1321	44	4 	2.00	.910
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
==Awards and honours==
Award 	Year 	
Czech20 	Czech20 	Czech20
Best GAA (1.74) 	2009 	
Best SV% (.953) 	2009 	
Czech.1 	Czech.1 	Czech.1
Best GAA (1.93) 	2011 	
Best SV% (.940) 	2011 	
Best Playoff GAA (1.79) 	2011 	
ELH 	ELH 	ELH
Best Goalie 	2013, 2014	
Best SV% (.931) 	2014 	
Best Playoffs GAA (1.38)	2014 	
Best Playoffs SV% (.953)	2014 	
Playoffs MVP 	2014 	
KHL 	KHL 	KHL
All-Star Game 	2017 	
Best SV% (.953) 	2017 	
Best SV% (.946) 	2018 	
==References==
==External links==
* 
Category:Born in 1990
Category:Colorado Avalanche players
Category:Colorado Eagles players
Category:Czech ice hockey players
Category:HC Litvínov players
Category:HC Oceláři Třinec players
Category:Olympic ice hockey players of the Czech Republic
Category:Ice hockey players at the 2018 Winter Olympics
Category:HC Plzeň players
Category:SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč players
Category:HC Slovan Ústečtí Lvi players
Category:Traktor Chelyabinsk players
Category:Undrafted National Hockey League players