Defender Carrick reporting to Whalers?

The Plymouth Whalers announced Wednesday the acquisition of 18-year-old defenseman Connor Carrick's rights from the Guelph Storm in exchange for a sixth round draft choice in the 2013 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

Carrick was originally selected by Guelph in the 11th round (212th overall) of the 2010 OHL Priority Selection.

Carrick – 5-feet-11 and 187 pounds and from Orland Park, Ill. – was selected by the Washington Capitals in the fifth round (137th overall) of the recent 2012 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

He has played over the last two seasons with National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor and has committed to the University of Michigan for this fall. Last season, Carrick scored eight goals with 13 assists for 21 points in 57 games for the NTDP U-18’s. In 2010-11, Carrick scored four goals with 16 assists for 20 points in 55 games for the NTDP U-17’s.

In August, Carrick will be joining Plymouth teammates Ryan Hartman, J.T. Miller and Stefan Noesen as they participate in the USA Hockey national junior evaluation camp. The camp is an audition for a spot on the U.S. National Junior Team that will play in the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2012-Jan. 5, 2013, in Ufa, Russia.

Earlier today, the Whalers participated in the annual Canadian Hockey League Import Draft and selected two defensemen from Sweden. With the 21st pick, the Whalers took 17-year-old defenseman Ludvig Bystrom, who taken by the Dallas Stars in the second round (43rd overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Later, the Whalers moved up in the draft in a trade with Mississauga to take 18-year-old defenseman Simon Karlsson with the 90th selection. Karlsson was originally selected by the Nashville Predators in the fifth round of the 2011 NHL draft.

Photo courtesy MiHockeyNow