Pavelski wows crowd at celebrity tourney with golf game, athleticism

Joe Pavelski's hockey game is world-class, but his other athletic skills are evidently no slouch either.
While participating at the at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, the San Jose Sharks captain showed off an array of athletic feats that wowed the crowd Friday.

Pavelski showed off an impressive shooting touch with a basketball, swishing shots over two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry. Then, while waiting to tee off at the par-3 17th hole, his range impressed Curry and former NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. Hopefully he called bank on his second shot.

But Pavelski did not disappoint when a football was thrown his way either. With his caddy holding, Pavelski booted a ball into the lake in impressive fashion to the delight of the onlooking fans.

Pavelski, who finished 11th at the event last year after helping the Sharks reach the Stanley Cup Final, shined on the golf course again. He shot a 70, good for even-par and third place after one round, and wound up finishing tied for 12th.

"Golf game is decent; it's getting better," Pavelski told NHL Network on Friday. "Last year, when I came into this tournament, it was not where it needed to be to kind of compete. This year, we had a little bit longer offseason, which isn't great in the hockey world but then we spent a little bit more time on the links."

Mingling with fellow world-class athletes, including Curry, Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price, former NHL players Mike Modano and Jeremy Roenick, and A-list celebrities including Justin Timberlake, makes for a fun environment for Pavelski.
"It's a pretty cool setting," Pavelski said. "It's fun to kind of see Steph Curry out here; a lot of guys you kind of see out here throughout the year in different sports. It's fun to see what a 4-foot pressure putt will do to some of these guys."