Whalers claim Loikets from Erie

The Plymouth Whalers have claimed defenseman Chad Loikets off waivers from the Erie Otters.

Under the OHL's recallable waivers format, the Otters could have reclaimed the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Loikets after the Whalers placed their bid, "but Chad's been such a special kid to us," Erie GM Sherry Bassin said in the Erie Times-News. "If some team gives him a chance to play, we owed it to him."

A 19-year-old native of Yorkville, Ill. (about an hour southwest of Chicago), Loikets has played the past three years in Erie, registering four goals and 26 points in 193 games.

Loikets is now the ninth defenseman on the Whalers' roster.