Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz forced into retirement

At 33 years old with just 73 games played in the NHL over five seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, goaltender Pavel Francouz has unofficially entered retirement.

Francouz has been out this entire season on LTIR, and yesterday afternoon Avs GM Chris MacFarland made a statement on the often-injured goalie. After having adductor surgery last offseason, MacFarland says that Francouz has no intention of ramping up his condition to return to the NHL, and is enjoying retirement.


Signed out of the KHL in 2018, the Avalanche and many other around the league had high hopes for the Czech born goaltender, but injury problems never allowed him to play consistently. Now after missing another full season this year, it seems both the player and the team have decided returning to the NHL isn't in his best interest - the injuries are forcing him out of the game. He's in the final year of his contract which pays him $2M, signed in 2022 by then general manager Joe Sakic.



It's a disappointing end to Francouz's career, but fans of the Avalanche and across the league obviously respect his decision, and wish him the best in the next chapter of his life. All the best!