James Wisniewski 18th Whaler Alum to Play in the National Hockey League This Season

Published on January 31, 2006 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP - The press release from the Chicago Blackhawks was succinct: "The Blackhawks announced today that they have recalled defenseman James Wisniewski from the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.

Wisniewski appeared in 44 games for the Admirals this season and scored 5 goals while adding 21 assists for 26 points with 50 penalty minutes.

The 21-year-old defenseman was the Blackhawks' 5th round pick (156th overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Wisniewski was a member of the Team USA World Junior squad that captured the Gold Medal in the 2004 World Junior Championships. He also won the Gold Medal as a member of Team USA in the World Under-17 Challenge in 2001 and the Under-18 World Junior Championships in 2002."

Wisniewski - a Canton, MI native who played for the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers from 2000-04 - becomes the 18th Whaler to play in at least one National Hockey league game this season when he makes his NHL debut Thursday in St. Louis.

"We're proud of every one of the guys who played here," said Plymouth Whalers' President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci. "Sometimes, I get more nervous watching them on television than I do coaching."

The list of Whaler alumni currently in the National Hockey League includes top draft choices who dominated the Ontario Hockey League - players like Bryan Berard (taken first overall in 1995), David Legwand (2nd overall in 1998), Stephen Weiss (4th overall in 2001) and Todd Harvey (9th overall in 1993) - and free agents like Karl Stewart and Chad LaRose, who were never drafted but found other ways to get to the National Hockey League.

Other Whaler alumni have paid their dues. Eric Cairns was drafted in the 3rd round (72nd overall) by the New York Rangers in 1992 and has played for four NHL teams as a tough, physical defenseman. Jamie Allison was the captain of the Whalers team that won the Ontario Hockey League championship in 1995 when the team played out of Joe Louis Arena and was known as the Detroit Jr. Red Wings. Like Cairns, Allison has battled to keep his spot in the NHL while playing for Calgary, Chicago, Columbus and now Nashville.

Other younger Whalers are just starting to get established. Jason Ward was a first round pick of the Montreal Canadians in 1997, but after a couple of false starts with Montreal, is starting to find a home with the New York Rangers this season. Goaltender Jason Bacashihua started the season in Peoria of the American Hockey League when the Blues signed veteran Patrick Lalime, but when Lalime was waived, Bacashihua got the call to St. Louis and is backing up Curtis Sanford.

Attached is a complete list of current Plymouth Whaler alumni who have played at least one game in the National Hockey league this season.

Meanwhile, the current Whalers (23-21-1-3, second place in the OHL's West Division) start a three-game road swing Friday night in Kingston (7:20 pm, www.plymouthwhalers.com), will play Saturday night in Belleville (7:00 pm, www.plymouthwhalers.com) and Super Bowl Sunday in Ottawa (1:50 pm, www.plymouthwhalers.com).

The Whalers' next home game is Sat. Feb. 11 at 7:30 pm at the Compuware Sports Arena against the Barrie Colts. Tickets are available at (734) 453-8400.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2006


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