Whalers Look to Keep Division Lead

#9 Zach Lorentz was aquired from Windsor for Alex Aleardi! 

     The Plymouth Whalers look to stay on top of the West Division as they prepare to host the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Friday (tonight at 7:05 p.m.), followed by a visit from the Peterborough Petes on Saturday (tomorrow at 7:05 p.m.).  The Sault. Ste. Marie Greyhounds feature Detroit Red Wings prospect Ryan Sproul, along with the current OHL player of the month Nick Cousins.  The Whalers currently have 59 points through 48 games, and were able to gain sole possession of the division lead last Saturday with a 6-2 victory over the Sarnia Sting.  The Sting entered Compuware Arena tied with Plymouth (57 points each) for first place in the tightly bunched West Division.  There was a scrum between the Whalers own Colin MacDonald, and the Sarnia Sting's Reid Boucher, and the Mitten State Sports Report was up close to capture every tooth rattling blow.  Although Boucher leads the OHL in goals, he was no match in his battle with MacDonald.
     Whalers President, General Manager, and Head Coach Mike Velucci made several moves before the trading deadline in hopes of improving the roster.  One unpopular decision amongst Whalers fans was a move involving Farmington Hills native, and hometown favorite Alex Aleardi.  Aleardi was sent to Windsor in a trade for left winger Zach Lorenz (pictured above).  The rules in the OHL allow teams to keep only three overage players after the trading deadline.  The Whalers decided to keep Colin MacDonald, Austin Levi, and Garrett Meurs who have all been drafted by NHL teams (Levi- Carolina, Heard and Meurs - Colorado). Velucci made a more popular trade amongst Whalers fans the day of the OHL trading deadline, when he maneuvered a blockbuster deal with the Saginaw Spirit.  Former Spirit Captain Vincent Trocheck was aquired from Saginaw in exchange for center Zach Bratina, and three future draft choices.  Trocheck is a bonified star in the OHL, a Florida Panthers draft pick, and was a key contributor in the USA's gold medal win in The (under 20) 2013 World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia.  The Whalers also aquired Sebastian Uvira, and a future draft pick from the Oshawa Generals, in exchange for defenseman Simon Karlsson.  Anaheim draft pick, and Whalers Center Rickard Rakell made the Mighty Ducks squad right out of training camp, and will enjoy some much earned time in the show.  It is unclear whether or not he will return to play with the Whalers again. 

 Vincent Trocheck's first game with the Whalers! 

 




   

For more information about the Plymouth Whalers click on  plymouthwhalers.com



Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com