Thunder Add Experienced Goaltender
September 3, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder strengthened their defense today agreeing to terms with goaltender Mark Gowan.
A fourth-year pro out of Mississauga, Ontario, Gowan (prounounced GOW-inn) spent last season with the West Coast Hockey League's (WCHL) Fresno Falcons, where he went 18-10-1 with a 3.08 goals against average and .900 save percentage. He was voted WCHL Goaltender of the Week on three occasions and led all WCHL goaltenders in both shootout save percentage and assists (6).
Gowan turned it on in the postseason, going 4-2-0 with a 2.12 goals against average in the first round, eliminating the WCHL regular season champion Idaho Steelheads from the playoffs. The Falcons lost Game Seven of the WCHL Finals to the San Diego Gulls.
"The addition of Mark gives us a solid 1-2 punch in net", said Thunder head coach Derek Laxdal. "With Gowan and Carney, we'll have the luxury of starting a solid goaltender every night."
Over his three-year pro career, Gowan has a record of 41-32-6 with a 3.28 goals against average. He has also recorded four shutouts.
Prior to turning pro, Gowan played five seasons for the University of Guelph Gryphons in Ontario, where he went 52-33-12 with 11 shutouts. He was voted team MVP in both the 1998-99 and 1999-00 seasons, was a 2000 OUAA All-Star and helped the Gryphons to the 1997 CIAU Championship, going 8-1-0.
Gowan played junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey League's (OHL) Belleville Bulls, where he had a record of 28-26-1 in two seasons. He was the Bulls playoff MVP in 1995, picking up eight postseason victories.
The Thunder drop the puck on their 12th CHL season when training camp opens on Monday, October 6th. Wichita will begin the regular season with a pair of home games on Friday, October 17th versus the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs and Saturday, October 18th versus the Tulsa Oilers. Both games will face-off at 7:30 p.m.
Season tickets can still be purchased up to the start of the season, for as low as just $198. For more information or to order tickets, call the Thunder office at 264-GOAL or visit our website at www.wichitathunder.com.
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