Gorillas Sign Proven Goaltender
Published on July 18, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX â In literal translation, the word Degagne means âThe Winner', and the Amarillo Gorillas hope that the name will transform into improved numbers for the win column this season.
The Gorillas announced today that they have signed 24 year old goaltender Shawn Degagne (pronounced De-gone-yeh) to a contract.
Degagne was a sixth round draft pick of the New York Rangers in the 1997 National Hockey League Draft after a brilliant junior career with the Kitchener Rangers and the North Bay Centennials of the Ontario Hockey League.
"We feel very fortunate to get Shawn," said Joe Ferras, the Gorillas head coach and director of hockey operations. "He was outstanding last season with Atlantic City of the ECHL. Our main focus this summer was to get stronger in goal and build our team from the back out. To get a proven winner who competes as hard as Shawn, I feel we are continuing in the right direction". It will be Degagne's first season in the Central Hockey League after spending the past two in the East Coast Hockey League with the Pensacola Ice Pilots and the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies.
In 2000-2001, the North Bay, Ontario native had a record of 14-12-4 with a 3.30 Goals Against Average in 34 games with the Ice Pilots. In the 2001-2002 season, Degagne compiled a record of 17-10-5 with a sparkling 2.67 Goals Against Average with the expansion Boardwalk Bullies. His exciting play propelled the Bullies into the playoffs.
The six-foot, 190-pound goaltender played two seasons with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers (1996-1998) and had a combined record of 24-20-6 and a goals against average of just over 3.30. He spent the 1998-99 season with his hometown North Bay Centennials and posted a 13-20-5 record and a 3.66 goals against average.
Shawn Degagne is the first goaltender signed by the Amarillo Gorillas and the sixth player inked by Head Coach Joe Ferras. Other players include stellar defenseman Mark DeSantis and Ryan Shannon along with forwards Brian Pellerin, Chris Robertson and Scott Wray.
Central Hockey League Stories from July 18, 2002
- Gorillas Sign Proven Goaltender - Amarillo Gorillas
- Scorps sign second rookie - New Mexico Scorpions
- Brahmas sign veteran center Chad Grills - Fort Worth Brahmas
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