Plymouth Whalers Off During Holidays, But There's Plenty of News

The Plymouth Whalers - along with the entire Ontario Hockey League - are off this week during the league's annual Christmas Break.

But that doesn't mean news stops.

The Whalers are back in action 2 p.m. on Dec. 28 at against the top-ranked London Knights in the annual Kids' Day matinee.

In the meantime, here's some links to use:

Whalers Remain in the Rankings: Plymouth (now 22-9-2-1) continue to be mentioned in two weekly polls:

The Whalers are sixth in the weekly BMO CHL MasterCard Top 10 Rankings.

Plymouth is also ranked in Yahoo! Sports Junior Hockey's Buzzing The Net Dynamic Dozen.  The Whalers check in at ninth out of 59 teams.

Here's what Neate Sager said about Plymouth:

"9. Plymouth Whalers, OHL (.535, +2) — The Whalers have a better record than league-leading London since that point around Oct. 1 when the last of the NHL draftees began trickling back to their junior teams. They are what we thought they were, with the only surprise being that 18-year-old Matt Mahalak's statline (2.12 average, .933 save percentage) surpasses 19-year-old Team Canada member Scott Wedgewood (3.08, .904) by such a wide margin. Now what is coach-GM Mike Vellucci, who tends to be a stay-the-course, sort, do to augment his strongest lineup in several seasons? Go big or just add another small piece?"

The final Ontario Hockey League trade deadline in Mon. Jan. 9 this year.

Audio - Catch Whalers forward Alex Aleardi in this week's edition of "Plymouth Whalers Weekly", heard on 88.1-FM WSDP every Tuesday from 5:45-6 p.m., with a re-broadcast on Friday at the same time.

World Junior Championship Update: Plymouth goaltender Scott Wedgewood will play for Canada, center Rickard Rakell for Sweden and defenseman Dario Trutmann for Switzerland in the 2012 World Junior Championships, held this season in Edmonton and Calgary, AB.

Whalers J.T. Miller and Austin Levi are trying out for Team USA.  Hockey USA will make the announcement of its final roster on Thusrday.

Miller scored a goal and an assist in Team USA's 6-3 loss to Russia on Tuesday in an exhibition game (details courtesy of USA Hockey).

Whalers captain Beau Schmitz is a country boy at heart: Matt Mackinder of Michigan Hockey has the story:

Whether he’s on the ice playing in the Ontario Hockey League or hunting in the woods, Beau Schmitz has his eyes on the prize.

An avid outdoorsman, the Plymouth Whalers’ captain and Howell native can often be found away from Compuware Arena in a deer blind waiting for an eight-point buck to come strolling by or on a small boat hoping to reel in dinner.

“I get out as much as I can,” said the 20-year-old Schmitz. “My billets understand and my family’s property is only about 40 minutes from my billet house. Being outdoors takes me away from hockey and sometimes, that’s what I need.”

See the rest of the story.

Andy Bathgate following grandfather's skates: Plymouth veteran Andy Bathgate was interviwed follwoing the Whalers recent practice at Joe Louis Arena.

Zack Crawford of Detroit Red Wings.com writes:

"When Andy Bathgate played for the Red Wings, the Ontario Hockey League was seven-years from forming, Joe Louis Arena was 12-years from being built, and Bathgate’s grandson was 24-years from being born.
 
This week all of those histories collided as the younger Andy Bathgate and his Plymouth Whalers practiced at The Joe.

See the rest of the story.