PLYMOUTH - We receive emails and letters regularly from people in the community talking about the Plymouth Whalers. Most of the time, the Whalers are the team's best ambasadors - especially when it comes to children.

Plymouth veteran Michael Whaley lives in London, ON.  While most London hockey fans follow the Knights passionately, Whaley's  kindness may have turned a local family towards the Whalers.

Kenna Stevenson of London writes:

I was sitting in my kitchen on Sunday and I looked out the window to check on my 8 year old son Riley, who was in the driveway taking shots on net.  It wasn't unusual for me to discover that a group of others had joined him and a hockey game had started.  It happens all the time at our house as Riley loves anything to do with hockey. 

What was unusual is that the other players were four grown men that were taking the time to play a game of hockey with my kid.  I could see the delight in Riley's eyes as he was playing fast and furious with these grown men. 

It was a pleasure to watch and shortly after there was a knock on my door.  One of these men was Michael Whaley and although I had never met him before it turns out that he had previously played a game of hockey in the driveway with Riley.

What he presented to me was a poster of the Plymouth Whalers Hockey team that he had all of his team mates sign and dedicate to Riley.  I was overwhelmed to realize that Michael had taken the time to get this signed poster for my son.  What an amazing gesture for this young man to do for a hockey obsessed little boy.  The poster is framed and hangs proudly on his bedroom wall. 

This gesture speaks so highly of Michael's character, thoughtfulness and sensitivity.  I can tell you that the Plymouth Whalers have a family of new fans who will be cheering loudly for you.  All of our family and friends that we have told this story to are equally impressed with the kindness of Michael.

As mothers, we often wonder what are children do when we are not around.  Michael's mother should know that this act of kindness speaks volumes about her son's character. 

As an organization, you are most fortunate to have such a wonderful role model for all that is good in sports to represent you in the community.

I simply had to share with story with you.

Regards,

Kenna Stevenson

The Whalers thank Ms. Stevenson for sharing a great story.

Do you have a story about a Whaler that touches your familiy's life in a positive way?  Share it with us.  Email your story to peterk@plymouthwhalers.com.

JUSTIN WILLIAMS, LOS ANGELES KING MOVE ON TO NHL WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: Whalers alum Justin Williams (1998-00) and the Los Angeles Kings are one of the real good stories out of the National Hockey League playoffs.

Williams - who plays on the Kings' top scoring line with Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar - and the Kings have advanced to the NHL's Western Conference Finals and will take on the Phoenix Coyotes later this week.

Williams recently answered questions on the Los Angeles Kings' website in a Get to Know segment.

LATEST TOM WILSON FEATURE:  Plymouth's Tom Wilson continues to receive a lot of media attention.  His latest article comes from New York Islanders Point Blank on Islanders.com and Alan Avital:

“I’m a big, physical guy, who likes to keep things simple,” said Wilson, who patterns his own game after Boston Bruins imposing winger Milan Lucic. “My biggest strength is my size, and while I am presently 205 pounds, I definitely want to get bigger.

“When I thicken out, I will be able to play at 215-to-220 pounds.”

See the rest of the article.