Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Whalers trade for Soo defender Curcuruto

The Plymouth Whalers announced today the acquisition of 18-year-old defenseman Gianluca Curcuruto from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in exchange for 17-year-old left wing Mitchell Dempsey and 16-year center Dylan Mascarin.

“With three defensemen leaving from last year’s team, we were looking to add more experience to our defense,” said Plymouth coach-GM Mike Vellucci. “Curcuruto is a young veteran who will help.”

Curcuruto was originally selected by Sault Ste. Marie in the first round (14th overall) of the 2010 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. He played for Team Ontario at the 2011 World Under-17 Championships.

In two seasons with the Greyhounds, Curcuruto has scored four goals with 38 assists for 42 points and 62 penalty minutes in 119 games.

Curcuruto was selected in the seventh round (182nd overall) by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2012 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Dempsey was originally selected by Plymouth in the first round (11th overall) in the 2011 OHL draft and scored a goal with four assists for five points in 34 games last season as a rookie. Mascarin was originally taken by Plymouth in the fifth round (93rd overall) in 2011.

Curcuruto is expected to report to Plymouth’s training camp in late August.

Photo/CHL Images

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