Whalers Continue to Stockpile Young Talent

Published on June 16, 2006 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


Plymouth Whalers President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci has announced the signing of 15-year-old center AJ Jenks. Jenks - who turns 16 later this month - was selected by Plymouth in the 7th round (132nd overall) in this spring's OHL Draft.

A native of Wolverine Lake, MI, Jenks played last season for the Detroit Honeybaked Midgets, where he scored 26 goals with 29 assists for 55 points and 97 penalty minutes in 66 games. Before that, Jenks spent the bulk of his youth hockey days playing in the Compuware system.

The Whalers have a history of drafting and signing local players from the Compuware Youth system, including James Wisniewski (now with Chicago Blackhawks), David Legwand (Nashville Predators), Nate Kiser, Jared Newman and Damian Surma, among many others.

Jenks had verbally committed to play at the University of Michigan, but changed his mind and decided to come to Plymouth.

"We're excited about having AJ here in Plymouth," Vellucci said. "He's one of the top-rated prospects in his age group."

Robert Kitamura, OHL Central Scouting Chief Scout, told http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/ that "Jenks has the potential to be a dominant force in the OHL and possesses great skill, size and is an extremely hard worker".

"I'm very excited with the opportunity to play for the Whalers," Jenks told the Detroit News on Wednesday. "The OHL style is more suited for me. I play a real physical game, more like the pro style."

The International Scouting Service had Jenks rated second overall last December among the top 1990 birthdays eligible for this spring's OHL Draft, right behind Steve Stamkos - the top pick in the OHL Draft by Sarnia - and ahead of other first round OHL selections Mike Del Zotto (Oshawa), James Livingston (Sault Ste. Marie), Mitch Gaulton (Erie), Tyler Cuma (Ottawa), Cory Hodgson (Brampton), Greg Nemisz (Windsor), Mike D'Orazio (Owen Sound), Jared Staal (Sudbury) and Phil McRae (London).

Click http://www.internationalscouting.com/rankings.html for the ISS story.

"I did make a verbal (commitment) to Michigan," Jenks said. "It was an offer I couldn't turn down at the time, but then I learned more about the other (OHL) route. Sure it was tough to make the decision (to pass on Michigan).

"About two weeks before the OHL Draft, Plymouth asked me if they drafted me with the first pick and I said I wouldn't. Then, they took me in the seventh round. I thought about it (signing) and it became more of a possibility. I had a change of heart and decided I really did want to play for them. Being able to stay and play close to home was definitely the turning point."

Jenks' grandmother - Phyllis Werner - lives in close proximity to the Compuware Sports Arena and loves to watch her grandson play. Ms. Werner will get plenty of opportunity to watch AJ over the next few seasons.

Jenks' signing comes a few days after Plymouth signed 16-year-old defenseman Frank Grzeszczak (pronounced GRAY-shack), the Whalers 11th round pick in the 2005 OHL Draft.

Plymouth won its' eighth West Division title since 1995 last season with a record of 35-28-1-4. With at least 12 players returning, the Whalers are expected to contend again in 2006-07.

WHALERS SIGN DEFENSEMAN FRANK GRZESZCZAK

Plymouth Whalers President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci has announced the signing of 16-year-old defenseman Frank Grzeszczak, who was selected by the Whalers in the 11th round (209th overall) of the 2005 Ontario Hockey League Draft.

"We're happy to have Frank in Plymouth," Vellucci said. "He's an excellent skater who should help us."

Grzeszczak - pronounced GRAY-shack - played last season with Sioux City of the United States Hockey League, where he scored five goals with nine assists for 14 points and 30 PIM's in 50 games.

If you like hard-working, blue-collar players, you'll like Grzeszczak, who took a break to answer a couple of questions while working construction.

"I'm excited to be playing for the Whalers," Grzeszczak said. "We're supposed to have an excellent team next season and I really want to be part of that."

Plymouth returns at least 12 players next season that helped the team to a 35-28-1-4 record and a West Division title in 2005-06. Returning players include National Hockey League drafts Dan Collins (Florida), James Neal (Dallas) and Ryan McGinnis (Los Angeles) as well as three Whalers who will be selected in the NHL Entry Draft on June 24 - John Armstrong, Andrew Fournier and Tom Sestito. In addition, Plymouth could bring back NHL drafts Jared Boll (Columbus) or Evan Brophey (Chicago) as overage players.

Before next season's training camp in late August, Grzeszczak has been selected to participate in the USA Hockey's Select-17 Festival July 8-14 in St. Cloud, MN.

Independent scouting publication Red Line Report said this about Grzeszczak at a previous USA Hockey Evaluation Camp:

"Outstanding feet, the best here. Jumps smartly into the offense and has recovery speed."

With rule changes instituted in the Ontario Hockey League last year designed to promote offense, Grzeszczak's skating and skill will be a plus on the Plymouth blue line.

WHALER FIVE-SPOT CHOSEN FOR UNDER-17 EVALUATION CAMP.

Plymouth 2006 draft choices Vern Cooper (1st round), Tom Kane (3rd), Jordon O'Neill (4th), Steven McDonald (4th) and Justin Longley (9th) have all been selected for the Hockey Developement for Ontario's Under-17 Evaluation Camp.

Click http://www.hdco.on.ca/ for the complete lineup.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 16, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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