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Whalers Pick 13th in Saturday's Draft

May 3, 2006 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


Fresh off winning a ninth West Division title in their sixteen-year history, the Plymouth Whalers will select 13th overall in Saturday's Ontario Hockey League Draft, formally known as the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

The draft - performed by the 20 OHL teams via the internet - can be followed in real time Saturday starting at 9:00 am by going to www.ontariohockeyleague.com. The Whalers' website - www.plymouthwhalers.com - will have complete details about the Plymouth selections as the draft unfolds.

Besides having the 13th selection in the first round, Plymouth has 12 other selections in the 15-round, 300-player draft.

"With so many players returning from last year's team, we're looking for the best player we can at thirteenth," said Plymouth President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci. "We may also sign some of the players we selected from last year's draft."

Plymouth has at least 13 players returning from last season. All 13 came from the team's last three drafts:

2003: Dan Collins (2nd round), James Neal (3rd round), Ryan McGinnis (4th round), Justin Garay (8th round), Zack Shepley (10th round) and Andrew Fournier (11th round) are all regulars and are expected to play significant roles next season. In addition, Michael Lombardi (1st round) and Tony Iaquinto (7th round) made the team, but were later traded.

2004: John Armstrong (1st round) and Tom Sestito (5th round) are regulars and will see significant roles next season. Brett Bellemore (12th round) saw limited duty last year and could see time as a regular in 2006-07. In addition, Cory Tanaka (2nd round), played a season and a half with the Whalers before being traded. Jeff McFarland (4th round) and Jake Helmick (4th) also saw some action with Plymouth but have both moved on.

2005: Chris Terry (2nd round) and Joe Gaynor (2nd round) made the Whalers last season and are expected to fill key roles in 2006-07. Jeremy Smith (4th round) and Leo Jenner (4th round) could see bigger roles next year.

Plymouth can play three overage players - or 1986 birthdays - as well. Current overage candidates include defenseman Steve Ward, forwards Evan Brophey, Jared Boll and Ryan Stephenson and goaltender Justin Peters. Right wing Gino Pisellini recently signed with the Philadelphia Flyers and will start his pro career in the minor leagues next season.

Add 1987 birthday Wes Cunningham to the mix, and you can see why Vellucci and his scouting staff lean towards taking the best player available on Saturday.

LONDON, PETERBOROUGH MEET IN OHL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

The London Knights and Peterborough Petes were the top teams in their respective conferences during the regular season and will meet in the Rogers OHL Championship Series for the J. Ross Robertson Cup.

Rogers OHL Championship Series for the J. Ross Robertson Cup

Game 1 - Fri. May 5 at London, 7:30 p.m.

Game 2 - Sun. May 7 at Peterborough, 4:30 p.m.

Game 3 - Tues. May 9 at London, 7:00 p.m.

Game 4 - Thurs. May 11 at Peterborough, 7:00 p.m.

Game 5 - Fri. May 12 at London, 7:30 p.m. *

Game 6 - Sun. May 14 at Peterborough, 4:30 p.m. *

Game 7 - Tues. May 16 at London, 7:00 p.m. *

(*) if necessary

CELEBRATE FAN APPRECIATION DAY MAY 20 at THE COMPUWARE SPORTS ARENA

The Whalers will be celebrating a Customer Appreciation Day Saturday, May 20 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Compuware Sports Arena.

Among the scheduled events:

10:00 am - 6 pm - Whalers' used equipment sale.
3:30 - 5 pm - Plymouth Whalers' rookie camp scrimmage.
5:15 - 7:15 pm - Free Skate with Music. Whaler Mascot Shooter will be in attendance.

From 5 - 8 pm:

Season ticket and seat selection preview/opportunities for the 2006-07 season.
Pro-Shop Sale with discounts from 20-50% off retail prices.
Concession Specials on select Food and Beverages.
Compuware Sports Arena Family Fun Guide Distribution.
Information on Summer Hockey Schools and Camps at the Compuware Sports Arena.
Meet-and-Greet with Whaler players from 6-6:30 pm.
Meet-and-Greet with members of the Detroit Ignition of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

GINO PISELLINI SIGNS WITH PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Plymouth Whalers' President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci announced that 19-year-old right wing Gino Pisellini has signed an entry-level contract with the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers.

Terms of the agreement were not announced by the Flyers, who selected Pisellini in the fifth round (149th overall) of the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Philadelphia had to sign Pisellini by this summer's 2006 NHL Entry Draft or relinquish his draft rights.

"We're very happy for Gino," Vellucci said. "He's worked very hard to develop into a good hockey player. He can be tough when needed and was one of our leaders. Gino was also one of best penalty killers this year and that's a credit to his hard work."

A native of Itasca, IL, the Whalers selected Pisellini in the 6th round (116th overall) in the 2002 Ontario Hockey League Draft. Pisellini started his Whaler career with a bang, scoring in his first two games on Sept 19-20, 2003. Pisellini also established himself as one of the toughest players in the OHL during his rookie season, when he scored 15 goals with 15 assists for 30 points and 214 PIM's in 68 games in 2003-04. Injuries limited Pisellini in 2004-05, but he responded this season to score 15 goals with 16 assists for 31 points and 194 PIM's in 63 games.

Pisellini played well on a forward line this season with Andrew Fournier and Tom Sestito. The Whalers' version of the Grind Line had good success in shutting down the opposition's top lines.

"We really enjoy going up against the other team's top line," Pisellini said in March. "We know we can give the team a lift by shutting them down. We can help some of our other lines, who can concentrate on scoring."

While Pisellini has been signed with the Flyers, Fournier (ranked 108th over in the final Central Scouting rankings) and Sestito (112th overall) rate a good bet to be selected in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft on June 24 in Vancouver, BC.



Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 3, 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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