Ex-Wolves goalie Whitley returns to CHL

Chris Whitley’s British invasion is over after a single season.

The former Lakehead Thunderwolves goaltender is headed back to the Central Hockey League’s Allen American’s in search of a championship.

Whitley spent two seasons with the Americans from 2009 to 2011, leading them to the CHL final in 2010. He was dealt to the Wichita Thunder after the 2010-11 season, but instead chose to sign with the Dundee Stars overseas.

“You never expect to return to a place you got traded from but I'm very excited to be returning to the city of Allen,” Whitley said in a release issued Friday by the Stars.

"To me playing for Allen is the same feeling guys get when they play for their hometown. I always wanted to win a championship in Allen and being able to return with the guys Coach Martinson has brought in. I know we have a great chance at doing that. I can't wait to be back playing at the AEC in October in front of the best fans in the CHL."

Whitley, who has played one game in the American Hockey League since leaving the Thunderwolves in 2009, will be reunited with Thunder Bay’s Bill McDonald, a senior advisor of hockey operations with the Americans.

The Oshawa-born goaltender, who turned 29 in February, had a 3.70 goals against average in 53 games with the Scottish-based Stars last season, posting three shutouts along the way.