Stoke snapped up Owen on a free transfer earlier this month to add to the captures of the likes of Charlie Adam, Steven Nzonzi and Michael Kightly.
The Potters have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the Premier League season, drawing all four games to date, including a 1-1 stalemate with champions Manchester City on Saturday.
Whelan, who joined the club in their promotion-winning 2007/08 campaign, feels the signing of Owen is indicative of the great progress made under Pulis. The Republic of Ireland international told the club's official website:
"It is massive. The manager said when we first came in it was a building process each year and each year we have found that. "Obviously the club has pushed on - new training ground, signing big players. "Hopefully the fans are grateful for that and will keep coming and cheering us on but it is up to us to give them something to cheer about. "It is a great club to be around at the minute because there is a big buzz."
Source: team_talk
