Monday, January 10, 2011

Whalers obtain trio at trade deadline

The Plymouth Whalers announced three deals at today’s final Ontario Hockey League trade deadline.

Plymouth picked up 17-year-old defenseman Curtis Crombeen from the Owen Sound Attack in exchange for 19-year-old defenseman Jay Gilbert. The Whalers also acquire a second round draft choice (originally Saginaw’s) in 2012 and a third round draft choice in 2013.

“We are very excited to get Curtis,” Plymouth coach-GM Mike Vellucci said. “He was a first round draft choice in the league and was high on our list.”

Crombeen – 5-feet-11, 175 pounds and from Sarnia, Ont. - was originally selected by Owen Sound in the first round (ninth overall) in the 2009 OHL draft. He’s been injured through much of this season and has played in seven games. Crombeen has a goal and three assists for four points and has eight penalty minutes in 40 games in his career with Owen Sound.

He played with the Whalers’ Garrett Meurs in the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and helped Team Ontario win the silver medal in the tournament.

Crombeen is the cousin of B.J. Crombeen, a former OHL player who now plays for the St. Louis Blues.

The Whalers also acquired 17-year-old center Michael Whaley from the Windsor Spitfires in exchange for a 13th round draft choice in 2012. Whaley was taken by the Spitfires in the 13th round (260th overall) of the 2009 OHL draft. In two seasons with Windsor, Whaley has two goals with 10 assists for 12 points at 19 penalty minutes in 65 games.

Plymouth also acquired the rights to 17-year-old center Cory Czarnik from the Barrie Colts for a 12th round draft choice in 2012. Czarnik is the younger brother of Plymouth forward Robbie Czarnik. Cory Czarnik started the season with Tri-City of the United States Hockey League, but is currently playing with the Compuware Midget Majors of the Tier I Elite Hockey League.

Photo courtesy CHL Images

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