Plymouth starts camp this Wednesday

Training camp is just a few days away in the Ontario Hockey League.

The Plymouth Whalers report to Compuware Arena on Wed. Aug. 31 for off-ice testing and medical exams.

The Whalers will hit the ice in scrimmages from 9-11am and 2-4pm on Thurs. Sept 1 and Fri. Sept. 2. The scrimmages are free and open to the public and media. Rosters will be provided the days of the scrimmages.

National Hockey League drafts J.T. Miller (first round, NY Rangers, 2011), Stefan Noesen (first round, Ottawa, 2011), Rickard Rakell (first round, Anaheim), Scott Wedgewood (3rd round, New Jersey, 2010), Austin Levi (3rd round, Carolina, 2010), Garrett Meurs (5th round, Colorado, 2011) and Matt Mahalak (6th round, Carolina, 2011) will all be participating in the scrimmages.

In addition, Whaler fans will also get their first look at overage center Andy Bathgate (over from Belleville in a trade) and get reacquainted with rookies Mitchell Dempsey, Danny Vanderwiel, Matt Mistele, Jake Patterson, Chris Lindner and Michael Bunn.

Fans coming to Compuware Arena for the scrimmages should be aware of construction on the CSX railroad crossing on Beck Road just south of the arena. Northbound and southbound Beck will be closed at the tracks during the project. The construction runs from Mon. Aug. 29 through Thurs. Sept.1.

A potential alternative route is taking Sheldon Road north to Five Mile. Turn west (left) on Five Mile to Beck. Turn south (left) on Beck to Compuware Arena.

Plymouth's first pre-season game in Sat. Sept. 3 at 7pm against Windsor at the Farmington Hills Ice Arena in the "Faceoff in Farmington." The game is sponsored by Art Moran Buick-GMC-Mitsubishi, with proceeds going to the Farmington Hills Hockey Association.

Before the game, fans can participate in a pre-game skate from 5:30-6:30pm with Whalers mascot, Shooter, for $2. After the game, the Whalers will be participating in a meet-and-greet and autograph session.

The Farmington Hills Ice Arena is located at 35500 Eight Mile Road.

Fans interested in purchasing tickets from the Farmington Hills Hockey Association can contact Marjann Lawson at secretary@fghhahockey.org. Tickets are also available at the Whalers Box Office by calling (734) 453-8400.

The "Faceoff in Farmington" marks the third straight year Plymouth has played on a neutral site to start the pre-season. On Aug. 29, 2009, the Whalers defeated Saginaw, 7-2, in the "Battle of Brighton." Last season (Aug. 7, 2010), Plymouth and Windsor played to a 2-2 tie in Chelsea in the "Clash at the Coliseum."

Plymouth continues the preseason by playing in Windsor on Mon. Sept. 5 at 2pm in Windsor; and will complete the preseason on Fri. Sept. 9 in London and Sat. Sept. 10 against London in St. Thomas, Ont., at Timken Arena.

The Whalers open the regular season on Wed. Sept. 21 in Owen Sound against the OHL champion Attack, with the home opener on Sat. Sept. 24 at 7:05 p.m. against Erie.