Gorillas sign young goaltender
Published on October 4, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX â The Amarillo Gorillas added a second goaltender to its roster for the 2004-2005 season with the signing of Mike Mantua.
Mantua spent the past two years at Western Michigan University where he had two solid years at the Division I school. In the 2002-2003 season, Mantua posted an 8-13 record with a 3.72 Goals Against Average in 26 games. In the 2001-2002 year, Mantua recorded a mark of 7-6-2 with a 3.03 Goals Against Average in 17 games.
The Northville, Michigan native, near Detroit, has been known as a big game goaltender throughout his collegiate career posting solid numbers against Big Ten schools Michigan and Michigan State.
"I am excited to have the opportunity to come to Amarillo and play for a great organization and team," he said. "I consider myself a very athletic goaltender that the fans will like to watch."
Mantua has also added something unique to his resume by being the second goaltender in NCAA history to score a goal. Gorillas Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager Joe Ferras is looking forward to seeing Mantua at camp.
"Mike is coming off a great college career at an excellent Division I school," said Ferras. "He has already a small taste of pro hockey in the United Hockey League and this will be beneficial to his adjustment to the CHL."
Mantua spent two seasons with the Des-Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League where he posted some great numbers. In the 1999-2000 season, Mantua went 24-12-3 with a 3.04 Goals Against Average in 40 games played. He followed that year up with a record of 21-16-1 and a 3.46 Goals Against Average in 40 games during the 2000-2001 season.
"Mike has great athletic ability and in our rink where every shot is a good one, your reflexes are vital to being successful," said Ferras. "I feel that Mike will be a great compliment to Steve and give us a great tandem in the pipes."
Hockey fans across the Texas Panhandle will be able to see the power of the Amarillo Gorillas on Saturday, October 16 when the Lubbock Cotton Kings will be at The Jungle in the Amarillo Civic Center for an exhibition game at 7 p.m. All seats for the contest will be just $5 and can be purchased at the Gorillas Hockey Office located at 1934 Civic Circle, Civic Center Box Office, at Panhandle Tickets located at Randy's Music Mart, the WT Event Center in Canyon and United Supermarkets.
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