Memory Lane: Whalers

     It's been almost two years since the Plymouth Whalers played their final game at the ice rink formerly known as Compuware Arena.  The Whalers were sold, and the team was relocated to the city of Flint.  The Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center is home to the Flint Firebirds.  Compuware Arena is now known as the USA Hockey Arena, and is home to the USA NTDP (National Team Development Program).
     The Plymouth Whalers were a successful franchise in the Ontario Hockey League.  The team reached the OHL Playoffs every season from 1997-1998 through 2013-2014.  The Whalers won the OHL Playoffs, and hoisted the J. Ross Robertson Cup during the 2006-2007 season.  Several former Whalers are now stars in the NHL including Tyler Seguin, Vince Trocheck, Tom Wilson, and Rickard Rakell.
     I miss the Plymouth Whalers, and I also miss the OHL (Ontario Hockey League).  I miss going to Whalers games, and watching future stars of the NHL (National Hockey League) compete at a high level.  I miss reading the lineup cards, and following the OHL stats, and standings.  I miss watching Whalers games on Comcast Network TV 900, and listening to Pete Krupsky's analysis of the OHL players.  I miss the friendly people at the arena, and the short commute to and from the games.  The Plymouth Whalers may be gone, but the memories made at Compuware Arena will continue to live on the Mitten State Sports Report.          
     Leave a comment, or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com Scroll down and vote in the monthly Poll Question.  Check out Game Notes.  Click on past months to check out all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.

                                                                           Game Notes







-  The Plymouth Whalers were known as the Detroit Junior Red Wings from 1992-1995.



-  The USA Hockey Arena is located at 14900 Beck Road, in Plymouth.



-  Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center is located at 3501 Lapeer Road, in Flint.



-  Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center is formerly known as Perani Arena.



-  The Flint Firebirds are currently in 8th place in the OHL Western Conference standings with 57 points, and an overall record of 26-22-1-4 (1 overtime loss, and 4 shootout losses).



-  The USA NTDP competes in the USHL (United States Hockey League).



-  The USA NTDP is currently in 8th place in the USHL Eastern Conference standings with 34 points, and an overall record of 16-19-1-1 (1 overtime loss, and 1 shootout loss).



-  Memory Lane is a new monthly feature that began last month on the Mitten State Sports Report.



-  "Memory Lane: 1991 Lions" was posted on 1/9/2017.  

For more information about the Flint Firebirds click on  flintfirebirds.com



For OHL stats, and standings click on  ontariohockeyleague.com



For more info about the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center click on  www.dorteventcenter.com



For more information about the USA Hockey Arena click on  www.usahockeyarena.com



For more information about the USA NTDP click on  www.usahockeyntdp.com



For USHL stats, and standings click on  www.ushl.com



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



Scroll down and vote in the monthly Poll Question.  There's two questions to vote on.



Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.

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