Category: Flint Firebirds
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Draft Rewind: Plymouth Whalers’ 2012 picks
By Matt Mackinder – Zach Bratina is sure to become a household name around the Ontario Hockey League in short order. The Plymouth Whalers’ first-round pick (19th overall) during the OHL draft on April 7, Bratina was tabbed “The One” last summer after scoring the highest SPARQ rating in physical combines conducted in Ontario last…
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Rochester native Jones finding role with stacked Whalers
By Matt Mackinder – When Mitch Jones signed with the Plymouth Whalers just before Christmas, he knew he would be going to an organization where he could develop and learn the pro-style game – even if it meant not being able to go fishing anymore at his favorite spots near his home in Rochester. Such…
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Plymouth Whalers’ 2011 year in review
By Matt Mackinder – The Plymouth Whalers continued to make waves in the Ontario Hockey League during the 2011 calendar year with a variety of player transactions, making the OHL playoffs for the 20th straight year and gaining and retaining NHL prospects. Just another typical year for one of the OHL’s benchmark franchises. 10 –…
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Beau Schmitz – the “country boy” captain
By Matt Mackinder – Whether he’s on the ice playing in the Ontario Hockey League or hunting in the woods, Beau Schmitz has his eyes on the prize. An avid outdoorsman, the Plymouth Whalers’ captain and Howell native can often be found away from Compuware Arena in a deer blind waiting for an eight-point buck…
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Plymouth blanks Saginaw
By Carl Chimenti – SAGINAW – In a game against one of his top rivals, Scott Wedgewood was perfect. The Plymouth Whalers’ goaltender stopped all 35 shots he faced, leading his team to a 2-0 win over the Saginaw Spirit in front of 2,628 at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw. Wedgewood posted his first…
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Trick-Or-Treating at Compuware
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By Brian Kalisher – PLYMOUTH – It was quite a frightening sight Saturday evening at Compuware Arena as youngsters from around the area packed the concourse to take part in the Plymouth Whalers’ Trick-or-Treat Night. As a new staffer for Michigan Hockey, I stopped by to check out the action and help pass out candy…
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From Munn Ice Arena – Saturday night recaps
By Michael Caples – EAST LANSING – On Friday, the line of Dean Chelios, Greg Wolfe, and Lee Reimer combined for eight points to lead the Spartans to a 5-2 win over Robert Morris. How would the line react to an injury to Chelios for Saturday’s rematch? Turns out they would play even better than…
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Friday night recaps
Here’s a quick recap of how your favorite Michigan teams did Friday night. The Red Wings continued their perfect start to the season, taking care of the winless Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 at Joe Louis Arena. Valtteri Filppula had three assists – two of which on goals from linemate Johan Franzen – and an empty-net…
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Wedgewood comes full circle with Whalers
By Matt Mackinder – Back in 2008, the Plymouth Whalers drafted Scott Wedgewood with the intention of making him a future No. 1 goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League. Three years later, Wedgewood is a cornerstone for the Whalers and is playing this season for a contract with the New Jersey Devils, the team that…
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Stacked Plymouth squad not flying under radar
By Matt Mackinder – Before the season even started, so-called Ontario Hockey League experts pegged the Plymouth Whalers as the team to beat in the Western Conference. And with two NHL-drafted goalies, three forwards drafted in the first round by NHL clubs and every defensemen returning, how could anyone argue? Plymouth coach and GM Mike…