Saunders back between the pipes for Eagles

WINDSOR, Colo. – The Colorado Eagles, ECHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, announced that they have re-signed goaltender Clarke Saunders for the 2016-17 season.

Saunders posted a 14-5-0 record during the 2015-16 season while also registering a 2.84 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage. Saunders made his professional debut with the Eagles during the 2014-15 season, going 22-8-4 with a 2.81 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage.

The Brockville, Ontario native enjoyed a four-year career at the NCAA level, with the first two seasons spent at the University of Alabama-Huntsville before transferring to the University of North Dakota for the final two seasons of his collegiate career. He assembled his most productive season during his junior year with UND, registering a 2.30 goals-against average, a .917 save percentage and two shutouts in 26 starts during the 2012-13 season. In 84 total NCAA starts, Saunders posted a cumulative save percentage of .907.

In addition, Saunders also competed in both the Washington Capitals developmental camp in 2013 and the developmental camp of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2012.

Prior to making his NCAA debut, Saunders spent five seasons in the CCHL with the Brockville Braves. In his final season with the club in 2009-10, he posted a 2.30 GAA and .915 save percentage in 39 starts. He finished his career with the Braves with 81 wins, good for third-most in league history.