Saturday, June 10, 2006

Whalers sign defenseman Frank Grzeszczak

The Plymouth Whalers have signed 16-year-old defenseman Frank Grzeszczak, their 11th-round pick (209th overall) of the 2005 OHL Priority Selection.

“We’re happy to have Frank in Plymouth,” Plymouth coach-GM Mike Vellucci said. “He’s an excellent skater who should help us.”

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

In 2004-2005, Grzeszczak toiled with the HoneyBaked minor midgets.

“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.”

Grzeszczak had reportedly given a verbal commitment to the University of Nebraska-Omaha this past winter.

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, Minn.

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 OHL last year designed to promote offense, Grzeszczak’s skating and skill will be a plus on the Plymouth blue line.

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