There's a new netminder on the Prince George Cougars scene.
In a swap of goalies, the Cougars have acquired 20-year-old Drew Owsley and a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2012 WHL bantam draft from the Tri-City Americans in exchange for 19-year-old Ty Rimmer, a third-round pick in 2012, and a fifth-rounder in 2013.
Owsley has had a stellar career in the WHL in three seasons with Tri-City, averaging 2.68 goals against per game. After breaking into the league with a 17-game season in 2008-09, he played in 50 games in 2009-10 and stepped into the crease for 55 games last season.
The five-foot-eight, 170-pound native of Lethbridge sported a 36-17-1-1 record with four shutouts with the Americans in 2010-11, finishing third in the league in wins, sixth in goals-against average (2.77) and eighth overall with .912 save percentage. Owsley's shootout save percentage of .800 tied him for fourth in the league. He ranks second all-time among Americans goalies with a career save percentage of .911.
"Drew is a proven winner and his numbers back that up," said Cougars general manager Dallas Thompson.
"We needed to solidify our goaltending position and we feel we have done that by acquiring Drew. We are excited to have his ability and experience in Prince George for the upcoming season."
Owsley also has extensive playoff experience. He is the Americans' career leader with 29 postseason games played, 1,684 playoff minutes played, 18 wins, with a .920 save percentage and three playoff shutouts.
Rimmer, a native of Edmonton, played in 43 games for the Cats in 2010-11, compiling a 3.29 goals-against average and .899 save percentage with four shutouts. He came to Prince George in an October trade from the Brandon Wheat Kings.
