Thursday, January 06, 2011

Whalers sign defenseman MacDonald

The Plymouth Whalers on Thursday announced the signing of 17-year-old defenseman Dylan MacDonald to a standard player’s contract.

MacDonald – no relation to Whalers defenseman Colin MacDonald – was originally selected by Plymouth in the seventh round (133rd overall) in the 2009 Ontario Hockey League draft.

MacDonald – 6-feet and 190 pounds, from London, Ont. – was playing with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League, where he recorded two assists and 17 penalty minutes in 15 games.

"We are excited that Dylan is joining our team. He had college options, but playing in the OHL was his dream," Plymouth coach-GM Mike Vellucci said. "He realizes he can get a great education while playing in the top developmental league in the world.

"He's a steady defenseman, who we have been trying to sign since we drafted him."

In 2009-10, MacDonald played for the St. Thomas Stars of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, where he scored five goals with 12 assists for 17 points and 38 PIMs in 49 games. He also had a goal with 10 assists for 11 points and four PIMs in 15 playoff games for the Stars.

MacDonald – who will wear number 8 – is expected to make his Whalers debut this weekend when Plymouth plays in Windsor on Thursday, in Guelph on Friday and back home at Compuware Arena on Saturday, hosting Sarnia at 7:05 p.m.

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