Former Viper Segal Leaves Vancouver Giants For McGill University:

Former Vernon Vipers goaltender, Mark Segal will be leaving the WHL Vancouver Giants and playing hockey this coming season with McGill University. Segal was the Vipers backup goaltender to Andrew Hammond to start the 2008-09 season before being reassigned to the Richmond Sockeyes in early October after the Vipers aquired goaltender, Graeme Gordon in a trade with the Merritt Centennials. Segal then went on to play with the BCHL Nanaimo Clippers before joining the Vancouver Giants.

This is posted on the Giants website:

Mark Segal To Attend McGill University

Mark Segal is forgoing his final year of junior hockey to attend McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. The Vancouver native spent the last two seasons with the Giants as their number one goalie, posting a regular season record of 45-30-2-4 between the pipes. He was 10-9-1 in the playoffs.

"The opportunity to go to school and continue my hockey career at the university I had always targeted was too good an opportunity to pass up," said Segal. "Because of the uncertainty that goes along with being a 20 year old in the WHL I was apprehensive about returning, so from my point of view the timing was perfect."

Thanks to the WHL's scholarship program (For every year played in the WHL a player receives one year tuition and books at the university/college of their choice), Segal will have two years of tuition and books paid for. "Having my first two years of schooling taken care of is unbelievable. McGill is one of this country's elite institutions and I am just fortunate to be able to take advantage of the scholarship program."

From a hockey perspective, the Redmen are coming off an impressive season in which they lost in the CIS National Final. In fact they have made it to the CIS Championship tournament the last four years running and boast alumni such as Mike Babcock (Detroit Red Wings Head Coach), Guy Boucher (Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach), and Mathieu Darche (Montreal Canadiens Forward). "This is a program that is competing for a national championship every single year," said Segal. "The dedication and commitment to winning is very similar to what I have come to expect with the Giants."

A standout student in the classroom, Segal has worked hard to be accepted to McGill University. Though he has never been to Montreal, he has a pretty good idea of what to expect considering both of his older sisters received undergraduate degrees from the university. "McGill has a strong reputation as an academic school. I plan on enrolling in the sciences program and perhaps one day follow in the footsteps of my parents who are both doctors."

As for his time with the Vancouver Giants, Segal will always have fond memories. "I was fortuante to get to play major junior hockey in my hometown for what I believe is the best franchise in the WHL. The quality of the entire organization is first class. When I told Scott Bonner and Don Hay about my decision they wished me luck and told me if I ever need anything to give them call."

The Vancouver Giants would like to thank Mark for all his great work over the last two years, not only between the pipes, but in the community with all the programs he was involved with. Best of luck at McGill Mark!

Mark Segal - WHL Career Statistics 2009-2011

Regular Season

91 Games Played 45-30-2-4 2.91 GAA .899 SV% 10 Shutouts

Playoffs

20 Games Played 10-9-1 3.52 GAA .890 SV%