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Whalers Tally Assists Off The Ice, Too

September 25, 2009 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


If you are a fan of the Plymouth Whalers, you've heard of the term Whaler Hockey.

Whaler Hockey is aggressive, blue-collar, in-your-face, emotional hockey. It's successful hockey that doesn't work for the faint of heart.

Sweat equity equals success on the ice.

The attitude of Whaler Hockey permeates into other areas of the organization away from the rink.

On Saturday, Tyler G. Brown scored a goal in overtime that was sure to make the highlight reel. On Sunday, the team came together and made more highlights that nobody even knew about.

Following a weekend in which the Whalers won two games, the team could have taken the day off to rest, follow the pennant race with the Detroit Tigers, cheer for the Detroit Lions, or maybe hit the golf course.

Maybe the Whalers did get to do those things on a beautiful afternoon, but first they had a job to do. Whalers President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci led his team to Northville High School, where the Whalers worked cleaning up and beautifying the Mustangs' softball field.

Three hours later, the sweat equity of pulling weeds, edging the infield, defining the warning track, picking up debris and generally cleaning up the area left the field in excellent playing shape.

"I don't mind doing community service and it was fun working with the team," Beau Schmitz said. "My grandpa used to put me to work on the farm at home, so I'm used to it."

Away from the ice, the Whalers have picked up the pace dramatically in terms of community service and public appearances over the last year and especially over the summer months. According to Plymouth Whalers Sales and Marketing Administrator Natalie Shaver, the Whalers have been very busy away from ice.

"Since this summer, we've been out in the community with over sixty events so far,' Shaver said. "This last week, we did 12 in six days and we have another eight this week, so our players are out in the schools, out in the community, and teaching Learn-to-Skate classes here at the rink. Our players have been busy, but it's good to get them out there."

Since the Whalers range in age from 16-20 years-old and are very approachable, they often make a positive impact on children.

"We've paired up with Community Financial Credit Union, who sponsors our Kids Club," Shaver said. "We've done a lot of appearances in the schools, talking about how to save money, how to spend it wisely and staying in school. A lot of kids don't realize that our players are all still in school, whether it's high school or college. When they see a player, they think he's just a hockey player, but we stress to them that they need an education to fall back on and the Whalers play hockey while going to school."

Not only do the people who meet the Whalers learn something, appearances are a productive learning experience for the players.

"You watch the rookies as the years go on grow up and become better and more comfortable at talking to the kids," Shaver said. "Our current group of rookies are very good in front of crowds. We just did an Open House and Garrett Meurs, Stefan Noesen and Mitchell Heard had a ball. The kids and their parents loved them and the boys were just being themselves, which is a good thing. They have fun skating with all the kids, just having a good time."

Although former captain Chris Terry has moved on to professional hockey (now with Albany of the American Hockey League), the Whalers carried on the impact Terry had in the community by participating in the Walk 'N Roll that helped raise money for ALS. Terry built a relationship with 16-year-old Bobby Suvoy, who had ALS. On March 15, 2008, Terry spent the afternoon with Bobby and then wrote "Do It 4 Bobby" on his stick for the game that night. Bobby showed everyone that video and smiled from ear to ear whenever that day was mentioned. Unfortunately that was one of the last Whalers games he would see as he succumbed to ALS less than 2 months later on May 6, 2008.

Terry went on to win the Ontario Hockey League's Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy for Community Service for the 2008-09 season and his influence towards community service remains intact with the current Whalers.

"A lot of our guys looked up to Chris in that aspect," Shaver said. "All the players have told me they want to do a lot more appearances this year. Chris had that kind of affect on our players, making them realize what an impact they can have on the community."

Terry was named Humanitarian of the Year by doing 44 appearances throughout the season and having an impact on the community. Just a week into the season, the Whalers have 6 players who have already hit double digits and more than half the team has done 8 or more appearances. They are getting involved as much as possible and doing whatever they can to assist the community.

With as much time as the players put into games and practices, they still balance school work and appearances throughout the community. Some of the greatest highlights for the Whalers this season will never be seen by the fans, but the players realize the greatest assist in hockey doesn't have to come on the ice.

Any school group, church group, hockey team or any organization looking to meet the Whalers can email Natalie Shaver at natalies@plymouthwhalers.com or call her at (734) 453-8400 ext. 62504.

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