Thunder adds netminder
September 13, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder today added another piece to the defense, signing goaltender Dan Giffin.
A 22-year-old native of Milton, Ontario, Giffin joins the Thunder from Canisius College, where he compiled impressive numbers last season. Despite playing on a team that won just 10 games, Giffin led all rookies and ranked among the top four goaltenders in the Atlantic Conference with a 2.73 goals against average and a .920 save percentage.
Giffin finished second in the conference with a Canisius' single-season record three shutouts, all of which came during a six-game stretch in which he went 5-1-0 with a 1.33 goals against average and .966 save percentage. A member of the Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie Team, Giffin was named Rookie-of-the-Week six times last season, more than any other Atlantic Conference player.
"Dan is coming off an exceptional season at the NCAA level after a very successful junior career", said Thunder head coach Mark French. "He is a technically sound goaltender who showed great poise as a rookie last season. I expect him to handle the jump to the pros very well." The Thunder has had tremendous success with rookie goaltenders the past two seasons. Jason Flick went 19-8-1 as a rookie in 2004-05, while rookie Jon Volp compiled an 11-3-2 mark and a franchise-record .919 save percentage last season.
Prior to attending college, Giffin played three seasons in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL), beginning his junior career with the Oakville Blades in 2002-03. The following season he compiled a 2.87 goals against average and two shutouts in the regular season. He was added to the playoff roster of the Aurora Tigers, who went on to win the Dudley-Hewitt Cup (Ontario Junior "A" Champions), as well the Royal Bank Cup (Canadian National Junior "A" Champions). Giffin split his final OPJHL season between Oakville and the Hamilton Red Wings, guiding Oakville to the OPJHL West Conference championship game.
The 2006 CHL Most Improved Franchise, the Thunder will begin their 15th CHL season with a pair of home games on Friday, October 20th versus the Tulsa Oilers and Saturday, October 21st versus the Oklahoma City Blazers. For tickets, call the Thunder office at 264-GOAL or visit our website at www.wichitathunder.com.
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