Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Whalers sign 2011 draft pick Mistele

The Plymouth Whalers have announced the signing of 15-year-old left wing Matthew Mistele, who was selected by the Whalers in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2011 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

Mistele - 6-foot-2 and 165 pounds from Whitby, Ont. - scored 43 goals with 34 assists for 77 points and 50 penalty minutes in 60 games last season for the Whitby Wildcats. He participated in the Whalers rookie orientation May 20-21, scoring a goal and an assist in two scrimmages.

“I’m really excited to sign,” said Mistele in a telephone interview. “Everyone was nice in Plymouth and Mr. (Mike) Vellucci seems like a really good coach. Tell everyone in Plymouth I’m ready to give my all.”

“Our scouts really liked him last year and we liked what saw at rookie orientation,” said Vellucci. “We think in time he’ll grow into a power forward who can score. Matthew is a young man with good hands.”

Mistele (who turns 16 in October) patterns himself after Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets and scored three hat tricks and six two-goal games last season in Whitby.

Photo by Rena Laverty

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