Former Viper Segal Leaves Clippers For WHL:

This is on the Clippers website:

Nanaimo News Bulletin

Published by: Greg Sakaki - Thursday, November 19, 2009

CLIPPERS GOALIE LEAVES FOR WHL

For now, the Nanaimo Clippers goaltending picture has a Giant hole.

Mark Segal informed the junior A hockey club Wednesday afternoon that he is leaving the team to join the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League.

Segal was cut from Giants camp the last two summers and had been playing junior B in Delta when the Clippers offered him a position last month and promised him some stability.

"We continue to provide players with opportunities and advance them at all levels," said Bill Bestwick, general manager of the Clippers.

The 18-year-old netminder was slated to start Wednesday's game at Frank Crane Arena, but instead he played only the third period, making some difficult saves to mop up an 8-1 win over the Merritt Centennials. His stint in the B.C. Hockey League was short but successful as he was 4-2 with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.

Bestwick said Segal had the highest SAT score of any Clipper ever, but his experience playing WHL exhibition games cost him some of his NCAA eligibility.

The Clippers GM said Wednesday night he anticipates making a move for another goalie today (Nov. 19) or tomorrow.

"We have to find another goaltender on extremely short notice," Bestwick said.