Plymouth Whalers Celebrate Tenth Anniversary at Compuware Sports Arena

Published on May 31, 2005 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP - Next fall, the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers will celebrate their tenth anniversary at the Compuware Sports Arena. The team will commemorate their tenth season in Plymouth with special patches on their jerseys for the 2005-06.

Similar forms of the same patch will become part of the team's press releases (see above) and marketing materials.

In addition, there will be other events celebrating the Whalers' time at the Compuware Sports Arena over the course of next season.

"It's an exciting time to be a part of the Whalers," said Plymouth President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci. "Like anything new, it took a little time for everyone to get acquainted with the Whalers and the Ontario Hockey League. But the fans have responded in a big way. Year after year we continue to increase our attendance and last year, we were at an all-time high. We appreciate everyone's support." Plymouth set a single-season attendance mark last season at the Compuware Sports Arena, averaging 3,200 fans per game with 12 sellouts.

Although the Whalers have been playing in the Ontario Hockey League since 1990, they didn't have a permanent home until 1996. After skating at Cobo Arena, Joe Louis Arena, The Palace of Auburn Hills and Oak Park Compuware Arena from 1990-96, the Whalers moved into the brand-new Compuware Sports Arena in 1996.

On Oct. 5, 1996, Plymouth opened a new era at the Compuware Sports Arena with a 2-0 shutout against the Kingston Frontenacs. Second-year goaltender Robert Esche (now with the Philadelphia Flyers) pitched a shutout while Chad Cavanaugh and Andrew Taylor scored goals.

The Whalers' move to the Compuware Sports Arena in 1996 coincides with stability not often found among other teams in the Ontario Hockey League.

Since moving in the Compuware Sports Arena at the start of the 1996-97 season, the Whalers have:

• Won five consecutive West Division titles from 1998-2003.

• Finished first overall in the OHL in 1998-99, 1999-00 and 2001-02.

• Won Western Conference titles in 2000 and 2001.

• Played in the OHL Championship Series in 2000 and 2001.

• Set a current Canadian Hockey League and OHL record in winning five consecutive Dave Pinckney Trophies for the OHL's best team defense from 1998-03.

• In an era of constant turnover in OHL management in some cities over the last ten seasons, the Whalers have had just two general managers and head coaches – Mike Vellucci (2001-present) and Peter DeBoer (1996-2001) – since 1996-97.

After playing in the OHL Championship Series in 1994, winning the OHL Championship 1995 and going to the OHL Semi-finals in 1996, the Whalers needed to retool, not only with a new arena, but with new players.

With veterans like Bryan Berard, Mike Rucinski, Sean Haggerty, Mike Minard, Dan Pawlaczyk, and Tom Buckley - among others - leaving, DeBoer and his staff had no choice but to bring in new players. As many as 17 rookies played in all situations.

Even though the 1996-97 Whalers finished under .500 for just the second time in franchise history at 26-34-6, it was a fun time for everyone involved. The Whalers were a team that literally grew up before a brand-new fan base in a new arena.

The young Whalers developed a defense-first philosophy that still prevails today. Just as importantly, the team played as tough, in-your-face brand of hockey and earned the nickname Beck Road Bullies. Teams had to earn their points when they played against the Whalers.

Among the young veterans returning in 1996-97:

• Goaltender Robert Esche, who was voted third team OHL all-star in 1996-97. Esche played for the United States in the World Junior Championship in 1998 and was later drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 1998 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

• Center Andrew Taylor, a throw-in as part of a trade in 1995, developed into an excellent two-way player.

• Team captain, Mike Morrone, acquired by the team in 1995 from Owen Sound for rookie Steve Smith, gave the team outstanding leadership on and off the ice.

• Like Taylor, grinder Mark Cadotte – picked off the waiver wire from Niagara Falls in 1995-96 – could play the game any way the opposition wanted and was pound-for-pound one of the toughest players in the OHL.

• Jan Vodrazka, a second-year Czech Import who established himself as a quality, physical defenseman.

• Troy Smith and Jesse Boulerice. Smith developed into a steady veteran and after a tough season as a rookie defenseman in 1995-96 and Boulerice – who played for the United States in two World Junior Championships in 1997 and 1998 - found a home on right wing for the Whalers in 1996-97.

• A cast of rookies that would set the tone for several years afterwards. Randy Fitzgerald, Julian Smith, Harold Druken, Eric Gooldy, Luc Rioux, Kevin Holdridge, Pat Parthenais, Anthony Terzo, John-Paul Luciuk and Sergei Fedotov would be the catalyst for teams that dominated later.

Fans can look for articles written about Plymouth's first year at the Compuware Sports Arena on the Whalers' website – www.plymouthwhalers.com – and in the team's game program.

The Whalers look to release their 2005-06 schedule within the next week to 10 days.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 31, 2005


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