These Colorado Avalanche Goalies make up "Mount Rushmore"

3.) Peter Budaj

Peter Budaj was a homegrown Colorado product, drafted in the second round of the 2001 draft by the Avs. The Czech native played six seasons in Colorado, serving primarily as a backup goaltender during that time to various goalies like Jose Theodore, Andre Raycroft, and others.

He played 242 games with Colorado, never starting more than 57 games in a single season and was a steadying presence that could give the Avs a chance to win when their typical starter was out. He could also provide quality netminding over the long haul, to go along with that 57-game season, he also had a 56-game season—a good number of games for a starting goalie in this league. Budaj won 15 or more games in four of his six seasons in Colorado and won 14 games in his rookie season in 2005-06.

Budaj is third all-time in games played for an Avalanche goalie. He’s fourth all-time in wins, shots against, minutes played and saves. He’s fifth all-time in shutouts for an Avalanche goalie.

After his time in Colorado, "Ned Flanders," as he was known, bounced around with a few teams, notably the Montreal Canadiens and the Los Angeles Kings. His overall numbers were slightly improved once he left Colorado, but that can be attributed to maturing as a goaltender and not playing as many games as he did in Colorado. Budaj got most of his career wins while wearing Burgundy and Blue, and played 242 of his 368 career games in Colorado.

By providing a steadying presence and typically giving the Avalanche an opportunity to win when he was between the pipes, Budaj has earned his way onto the Mount Rushmore of Colorado netminding.