Stefan Noesen came to the Plymouth Whalers' front office Thursday morning in a hurry.
He was looking for a package of hockey sticks shipped from the Ottawa Senators' National Hockey League training camp. The package arrived - on time - and Noesen went down to the Whalers' locker room to prepare for this weekend's upcoming action.
It's a Whalers Wrap-Around Weekend this weekend as Plymouth (21-13-5-3) hosts Mississauga on Friday at 7:05 p.m., Sault Ste. Marie on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and Erie on Monday at 2 p.m. at Compuware Arena.
Noesen's sense of urgency is understandable. He was suspended for ten games on Dec. 5 against Oshawa and hasn't played since. Because of the suspension, he also missed a chance to play for the United States in the 2013 World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia.
Noesen - a first round draft choice of the Ottawa Senators - attended the Senators' training camp earlier this week before being returned to Plymouth last night.
Before going to Ottawa, Noesen stayed as busy as a suspended player can be. He skated at every Whalers practice and even joined a couple of sessions with the Compuware midgets.
Noesen isn't the player returning.
The Washington Capitals returned Tom Wilson last night after Wilson made a favorable impression with the NHL club.
“I just want to show that I am learning and picking up everything as quick as I can,” Wilson told the Washington Post. “These guys are all professionals and they pick it up really quick. I have an advantage that everyone’s learning the new system, so I’m just trying to show that I can learn that and implement that into my game and play smart hockey.”
Although Wilson - a first round pick of the Capitals - is known for his toughness, he's also playing the best overall hockey of his Whalers career. Not only does he have 13 goals and 23 assists for 36 points in 31 games with Plymouth, he also leads the team with a +17 rating.
One other player will make his Whalers debut this weekend. Sebastian Uvira (pronounced oo-VER-ah) was acquired at last week's Ontario Hockey League Trade Deadline from Oshawa for defenseman Simon Karlsson and reported to Plymouth on Wednesday.
Uvira - at 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds - adds size and grit to the team.
Meanwhile, Plymouth's other first-round NHL draft pick - Rickard Rakell - remains with the Anaheim Ducks.
NHL teams have until 3 pm on Friday to set their rosters for the upcoming season.
WHALERS ON XFINITY THIS WEEKEND: Friday's game against Mississauga will be carried live on Comcast 900/Xfinity TV starting at 7 p.m. The game will also be broadcast on 88.1 FM WSDP The Park starting at 6:45 p.m. Comcast 900/Xfinity TV has also added Saturday's game against Sault Ste. Marie starting at 7 p.m.
Monday's game against Erie can be heard on 88.1 FM WSDP The Park starting at 1:45 p.m.
