(Courtesy of the Wichita Thunder) WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder have announced the signing of goaltender Sebastien Laplante. A 25-year-old native of Casselman, Ontario, Laplante returns to the Thunder for a second season, following the best year of his four-year pro career. Laplante (pronounced luh-PLAHNT) played in 51 of 64 games last season, recording 27 victories, second most in the CHL.

Laplante got off to a hot start last season, winning his first six starts and tying Hugo Hamelin’s Thunder record for most wins to start a season. In December, he was called up to the AHL’s Iowa Stars for one game, but did not see any action. A two-time Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week, Laplante finished strong as well, going 7-1-1 in the month of March and earning Sherwood CHL Goaltender of the Month honors.

Laplante finished the season with a .917 save percentage, second-best in franchise history only to his teammate Jon Volp, who finished last season at .919. Laplante, the 2006 Thunder Most Valuable Player, also recorded three shutouts, tying the Thunder record for most shutouts in a season. He and Volp also combined on a fourth shutout over the Youngstown SteelHounds in January.

A ninth round draft choice of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft (277th overall), Laplante was later signed as a free agent by the Chicago Blackhawks and recorded the victory in an NHL preseason game versus the Nashville Predators in September of 2002.

Prior to joining the Thunder, he split three seasons between Pee Dee and Roanoke in the ECHL, going 50-36-5 with six shutouts. Laplante is the eighth player signed for the upcoming season, joining fellow returning players Jason Duda, Travis Clayton, Joe Blaznek, Daniel Tetrault and Kris Wiebe, as well as newcomers Steve Dix and Jayson Labossiere.