Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed goaltender Chet Pickard to an entry-level contract. Pickard, 18 (11/29/89), won the 2008 Del Wilson trophy as the Western Hockey League?s Goaltender of the Year while leading the Tri-City Americans to the Scotty Munro Trophy as the league?s regular season champions this past season. The Moncton, New Brunswick native led all WHL goaltenders in wins (46) in 2007-08, in addition to setting a Tri-City franchise record for victories. In three WHL seasons with the Americans, the 6-2, 220-pound netminder has compiled a 72-31-6 record. Pickard was Nashville?s second selection, 18th overall (first round), in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in June as well as the first goaltender chosen in the Draft. This summer he attended Hockey Canada?s ?Program of Excellence? camp and Team Canada?s National Junior team summer development camp. Pickard will also be at Nashville?s training camp when it opens Sept. 19.