Jackals sign 2 Gorillas

Jackals Triple Roster For 2006-2007
May 31, 2006



Jackals New Goaltender #33 Shawn Degagne
Jackals Triple Roster For 2006-2007

May 31, 2006

Elmira, NY – The Elmira Jackals announced today the signings of goaltender Shawn Degagne and forward Scott Wray, boosting the roster to 3 signed players for the 2006-2007 season.

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, General Manager Robbie S. Nichols announced the signings of goaltender Shawn Degagne and forward Scott Wray to contracts for the upcoming season.

Shawn Degagne (pronounced da-GONE-yay) brings a winning attitude and a winning record to the Jackals crease. In his 6 seasons as a professional, the North Bay, Ontario native has never had a losing record, going 128-77-21, a 0.613 winning percentage. Through 244 pro games, the 27-year old has a career 2.76 goals against average and a 0.915 save percentage. Drafted by the New York Rangers in the 6th round (154th overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, Degagne has posted 12 career shutouts, while being between the pipes for 13,696 minutes.

“I feel a strong team is built from the goaltender out,” said GM Robbie S. Nichols. “Degagne has put up some impressive numbers in the past and I feel confident in him being our top netminder.”

Degagne has spent the last four seasons with the Amarillo Gorillas in the Central Hockey League. In 2005-06 he was 24-16-2 with a 3.05 GAA and a 0.911 save percentage, but more impressively he had 3 shutouts, 5 assists and 64 penalty minutes. Winning and playoffs are synonymous with Degagne’s efforts in goal. The 6’1, 190 lbs goaltender has led his teams to the post season each of the last 5 seasons, only his rookie year with Pensacola (ECHL) did he not participate in the playoffs.

Scott Wray is a new face for Elmira fans, but his resume speaks for itself. A proven goal scorer, the 26-year old Left Wing scored 89 points (47 goals, 42 assists) in 73 games played, split between the London Racers (EIHL) and the Amarillo Gorillas (CHL). He started the year over in Europe, before come back to team up with Degagne to help Amarillo make the playoffs; he had 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists) in 6 post-season games. In his 7-year professional career, the Ottawa, Ontario native has 337 points (173 goals, 164 assists) and 601 PIMs in 448 games played.

“Wray is a proven sniper,” said Nichols. “I expect him to post big numbers for the Jackals and I know that people will enjoy watching his talented play on the ice.”

Wray played junior hockey for parts of 4 seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), spending most of that time with the North Bay Centennials, when he first teamed up with Degagne, prior to their reunion in Amarillo. In just 52 games with the Gorillas this past season, Wray had 76 points (38 goals, 38 assists).

The two signings brings Elmira’s 2006-2007 roster count to three players, while defenseman Chris Mann became the first signed player back on May 1st. Degagne will wear #33 for the Jackals, while Wray plans to don the #17 sweater.

After completing their 6th season in franchise history in the UHL, the Jackals are gearing up for Season 7. Season tickets for the 2006-2007 UHL season are on sale now at the First Arena Box Office. For more information call 607-734-PUCK (7825).

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