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Whites Complete Sweep at Whalers Rookie Orientation, 6-1

Sunday scrimmage completes a busy weekend.

The Whites spotted the Blues an early goal before coming back to take the second scrimmage of the Plymouth Whalers annual Rookie Orientation, 6-1, on Sunday at Compuware Arena. Three players in different stage of their careers led the Whites’ attack and played well over the two-day camp. Veteran Danny Vanderwiel scored a goal Sunday morning for the Whites and led all scorers in the camp with a goal and two assists.  Like many players approaching their second year in the Ontario Hockey League, Vanderwiel appears stronger and is playing with renewed confidence. Vanderwiel was asked about the difference between Year 1 and Year 2. “I learned a lot last year,” Vanderwiel said. “You have more time than you think out there.  You learn patience …

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Whites 5, Blue 4 in Whalers' Rookie Orientation Scrimmage

Busy day for players and parents.

The Whites scored four unanswered goals in the second half to overcome a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Blues, 5-4, in the opening scrimmage at Plymouth Whalers Rookie Orientation on Saturday afternoon at Compuware Arena. The teams played two, 25-minutes running-time halves. Tom Marchin’s goal in the final minute of play in the second half snapped a 4-4 tie and stood as the game-winner for the Whites.  Marchin – a free agent from Algonac, MI, who played for the Detroit Honeybaked midgets last season – scored on a rebound in front of Blues goaltender CJ Sharp. Earlier, Mathieu Henderson (7th round, 2012), Zach Bratina (1st round, 2012), Patrick Kudla (11th round, 2012) and Joe Drabin (free agent from Rochester, NY Alliance) tallied the other …

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Whalers Host Annual Rookie Orientation Saturday and Sunday

Team will scrimmage Saturday and Sunday.

The Plymouth Whalers will be hosting their annual Rookie Orientation on Saturday and Sunday at Compuware Arena.  The event features Plymouth draft choices over the past couple of seasons, plus invited free agents.   The rookie and free agents will be scrimmaging from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday and 9:30-11 a.m. on Sunday.  The scrimmages are free and open to the public and media.  Rosters will be provided the day of the scrimmages.   Although fans will be interested in the scrimmages, the Rookie Orientation is designed to give players and their parents an overview of the city of Plymouth and a close look at the Whalers.  They'll see the city of Plymouth, visit the Plymouth-Canton Education Park, chat with Whalers Education Consultant John …

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StateChamps.tv: Saline Over Canton in Girls Lacrosse

Saline comes from behind for victory over Canton.

State Champs covered the Saline girls lacrosse team's 11-10 win over Canton on May 9. Allison Rentschler and Chelsey Bishop scored hat tricks for Saline, who came from behind to win. Canton also dropped a 16-11 decision Saturday to P-CEP rivals Plymouth, according to MLive. The State Champs television program airs Sundays at 11:30 a.m. on CW 50 (Comcast 13).

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Plymouth Beats Northville in Girls Lacrosse

The Mustangs fell to the Wildcats 14-0.

Whalers' Draft Choice Alex Peters: Talent Runs in the Family

Plymouth's second-round pick happy landing with the Whalers.

Terry Bridge of the Listowel (ON) Banner and Southwestern Ontario.ca features Plymouth draft choice Alex Peters: PLYMOUTH, MI – Within a minute of being drafted by the Plymouth Whalers, Alex Peters’ phone rang. He was so excited about being picked by the Ontario Hockey League club that he didn’t even get the name of the Whalers representative calling him. “I just got a call saying congratulations, we’re excited, then they got back to the draft,” Peters reminisced. “I was so excited I couldn’t even hear who it was.” Plymouth was intrigued by Peters, a defenceman from the town of Blyth, not necessarily for what he is now as a hockey player, but for what he can become. Whalers assistant general manager Brian Sommariva said in his draft year …

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Huntington Learning Centers, Plymouth Whalers Team Up to Assist Groups

The Huntington Learning Center of Canton 50/50 raffle raised over $20,000 in 2011-12.

While the Plymouth Whalers are perennially successful on the ice, the team also builds a strong connection with its passionate fan base through fundraising activities that support regional community groups. Together, the Whalers and Huntington Learning Center of Canton joined forces in a simple but effective fashion for the Plymouth home games during the 2011-12 toward these fundraising efforts.  The Huntington Learning Center’s sponsorship of the 50/50 raffle raised $20,000 for more than 21 different regional groups and organizations to help them continue carrying out their important missions. This year’s beneficiaries of the Plymouth Whalers and Huntington’s 50/50 raffle proceeds include Gleaners Food Bank, Royal Oak Soccer Association, …

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Plymouth Whalers Sign 17-year-old Forward Ryan Hartman

Forward was taken in the fifth round of the 2010 OHL Draft

Sound bytes by Pete Krupsky and www.plymouthwhalers.com Plymouth Whalers General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci announced the signing of 17-year-old center Ryan Hartman, who was originally selected by the Whalers in the fifth round (95th overall) of the 2010 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. Hartman will attend the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park in 2012-13. “I’m extremely happy to be here,” Hartman said.  “Plymouth is the best place for me to be, considering it’s my draft year (2012-13).  I’m looking to make the best out of it.” “Playing in Plymouth offers Ryan the best environment to continue his hockey career at an elite level,” Vellucci said.  “He’ll also be able to maintain a commitment to education.” Hartman – 5-foot-…

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Landparents Provide Stable Home Away From Home for Whalers

Plymouth looking for a few new billet families for 2012-13

Sound bytes provided by Pete Krupsky and www.plymouthwhalers.com Plymouth Whalers general manager and coach Mike Vellucci always points to an integral but often overlooked group at the Whalers post-season banquet: “Our landparents are essential to our success,” Vellucci says. “We couldn’t function without them. They help our players every day, acting like parents.  Our billets assist our team in so many ways that aren’t seen. But our players appreciate their efforts and so does the coaching staff.” The Plymouth Whalers come into this off-season looking for a few more good landparents.  Whaler players – who range in age from 15 to 21 years old – all live with families in the Plymouth area. The Whalers report to training camp at the end of …

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Carolina Hurricanes Sign Plymouth Captain Beau Schmitz

Schmitz signs three-year entry level deal with NHL club.

It's often said that good things happen to good people. Here's a news release from the Carolina Hurricanes: RALEIGH, NC – Jason Karmanos, Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed free-agent defenseman Beau Schmitz to a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal will pay Schmitz $525,000 per year at the NHL level, or $50,000 per year at the minor-league level, as well as a $50,000 signing bonus. “Beau had an exceptional overage season with Plymouth,” said Karmanos.“His game matured both offensively and defensively, and we are excited to add a character individual like him to our organization.” Schmitz, 21, completed his fourth season of major-…

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