Ex-WSU goalie Guerrera back in CHL

The Rocky Mountain Rage have signed former Wayne State goaltender David Guerrera for the inaugural 2006-07 season.

Guerrera, from St. Leonard, Quebec, returns to the Central Hockey League after playing a year in Europe. He marks the fourth signing for the Rage this off-season.

"I'm glad Guerrera is coming to play for us," said Rage head coach Tracy Egeland. "He is definitely one of the top guys that you have to build a team around. I've seen him play a lot and he is a championship-caliber goaltender."

Guerrera, 27, played the 2005-06 season for the IF Frisk Asker Tigers from Eliteserien, a Norwegian Hockey League. He earned a 2.89 goals-against average and .897 save percentage during 23 regular-season games. In the playoffs, he had a 3.86 GAA and a .902 SV % for Frisk.

Guerrera jump-started his professional career playing two seasons (2003-05) for the Laredo Bucks (CHL). In his rookie season season, he went 26-4-5 with a 2.10 GAA and a save percentage of .932. On home ice, Guerrera was even better going 14-0-1 with a 1.65 GAA and a .934 save percentage. He helped the Bucks to a CHL-best 48-8-8 regular season record and the President's Cup playoff title. Guerrera had the second best save percentage in the CHL, was tied for the second-best GAA, tied for fourth in shutouts with four and was fifth in wins.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder captured the CHL Rookie of the Year award for his performance in the regular season. He started 12 straight games and went 10-0-2 with a 1.81 GAA. In the post-season, Guerrera posted an 8-2 record with a GAA of 1.65 and a save percentage of .934. Guerrera's save percentage was tied for the second best in the post-season, his GAA was third-best and he was a perfect 3-0 in overtime. He helped the Bucks become the first team in CHL history to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the finals to win the President's Cup title. For his performance, Guerrera was named the 2004 CHL playoff MVP.

Guerrera stayed consistent the following season by posting a 2.29 GAA, .912 save percentage and 17-12-2 record.

Prior to turning pro, Guerrera played four years at WSU. He had a save percentage over .900 all four years of college and helped lead his team to three straight College Hockey America conference titles and a berth in the 2003 NCAA tournament. Guerrera was named to the All-CHA First Team and was named CHA Player of the Year during his 2001-02 campaign. He graduated in 2003 with a degree in exercise science and was a member of WSU's first-ever senior class.