Born	November 25, 1982 (1982-11-25) (age 27), Saskatoon, SK, CAN
Height Weight	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
KHL team F. teams	MVD Balashikha Atlanta Thrashers Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk
NHL Draft	80th overall, 2001 Atlanta Thrashers
Pro career	2002 – present

Michael Garnett (born on November 25, 1982 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) is a professional ice hockey goaltender for MVD Balashikha of the Kontinental Hockey League.

[edit] WHL

Garnett spent his junior years in the Western Hockey League for the Red Deer Rebels and the Saskatoon Blades before being drafted by the Thrashers in round 3, 80th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

[edit] NHL

Garnett has spent most of his professional career with Atlanta's AHL's affiliate the Chicago Wolves. In the 2005–06 NHL season, Garnett was called up to the main Thrashers roster for the first time, serving as a backup goalie though this was short lived. In only his second game as a backup, Garnett was thrust into action against the Montreal Canadiens due to an injury to goaltender Mike Dunham.

Garnett appeared in 24 games for the Thrashers at one point setting a franchise record for consecutive games played by a goaltender with 17. In December 2005, Garnett became the first goaltender in the history of the franchise to post back-to-back shutouts. Garnett was sent to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL in January 2006 in the middle of a 10 game regulation undefeated streak (7–0–3) which included 2 shutouts and being named runner up for NHL defensive player of the week.

His regular season during the 2006–07 campaign was spent entirely with the Chicago Wolves where he split time on the ice with veteran goalie Fred Brathwaite. Garnett was spectacular during the 2007 Calder Cup playoffs. He had 8 wins and carried the Chicago Wolves to the west division title before being replaced after one loss in the conference finals. A series which the Wolves went on to lose in five games to the eventual Calder Cup champion Hamilton Bulldogs.

[edit] Russia

After the 2006-07 season finished, Garnett became an unrestricted free agent and opted to sign in the Russian Super League. He played 54 games with HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk in the 20 team league. The team qualified for playoffs in the 15th seed and played the defending champion Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the first round. They pushed the champions to the brink but lost the best of five series in a 5th and deciding game in Magnitogorsk. July 09, 2008, Garnett signed a 2-year contract with MVD Balashikha. Michael is currently in the second year of his contract and is enjoying his time in the KHL.

[edit] Personal

In the off-season Garnett enjoys world travel and golf. He has also recently become interested in photography.

[edit] External links

Michael Garnett's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database

Check out Michael's Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Garnett/47500762078?ref=ts