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Whalers Select Caps' Goaltender, Slovakian Defenseman in Import Draft

June 28, 2006 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP - Plymouth Whalers President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci made two selections in today's annual Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. The draft distributes non-North American players throughout the Canadian Hockey League.

Plymouth picked up the 27th selection in the draft in a trade with the Belleville Bulls for a fifth round draft choice in the 2007 OHL Draft and took 18-year-old goaltender Michal Neuvirth. Neuvirth - from the Czech Republic - was selected in the second round (36th overall) by the Washington Capitals in last Saturday's National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Neuvirth posted a 2.02 goals against average in 45 games last season for Sparta of the Czech Junior League and played for the Czech Republic in last spring's World Under-18 Tournament, posting a 2.44 goals against average and .927 save percentage in 7 games. The Czech Republic won the Bronze Medal in the tournament, defeating Canada, 4-1.

Here's what various scouting services are saying about Neuvirth:

Central Scouting Bureau: "Plays the butterfly style ... moves well and reads the game very well ... a consistent, cool goaltender under pressure ... has quick reflexes ... very quick feet and a good glove ... a good competitor."

International Scouting Service: "He is technically very sound and his work ethic is unparalleled. He is generally quiet in the net, but he has the ability to pull fans out of their seats with a great save. Moves well from side to side on the pass. Is quickly gaining a reputation for being a big-game goaltender. His improved rebound control and ability to steal games have resulted in him moving up our rankings. Good balance in both the stand-up and butterfly positions. Recovers quickly when he goes down. Stays square to the puck. The team that drafts him will have to be patient. He is a player that will need some time to develop."

The Whalers selected 18-year-old defenseman Jozef Sladok with the 39th pick. Sladok - a 6-foot-3, 194-pound right-handed shot - played in the Slovakian Junior League last season with HKM Zvolen and scored five goals with three assists for eight points and 86 PIM's. He also played for Slovakia in the World Under-18 Championships, adding an assist with 10 PIM's in six games.

Sladok was not selected in the NHL Entry Draft.

Neuvirth and Sladok are expected to report to the Whalers training camp in late August.

Whalers' season tickets are available for 2006-07 season by calling the Compuware Sports Arena box office at (734) 453-8400 during business hours.

Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 28, 2006

Knights draft Adam Hasani - London Knights
67's Solidify Goaltending With Import Draft - Ottawa 67's
Spirit Select New Prospects in the CHL Import Draft - Saginaw Spirit
Colts Trade 2006 Import Pick - Barrie Colts
Whalers Select Caps' Goaltender, Slovakian Defenseman in Import Draft - Plymouth Whalers
Majors Look to Latvia in Import Draft - Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
Spirit Select New Prospects in the CHL Import Draft - Saginaw Spirit
Ottawa 67's Select Swiss Goaltender in Import Draft - Ottawa 67's
Generals Announce European Import Draft Selection - Oshawa Generals
Rangers Select Yannick Weber In CHL Import Draft - Kitchener Rangers
Otters select Czech forward - Erie Otters
Owen Sound Attack Drafts Tomas Kana in CHL Import Draft - Owen Sound Attack

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.

Whalers Select Caps' Goaltender, Slovakian Defenseman in Import Draft

Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 28, 2006

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