CHRISTMAS BREAK - WHALERS FIRST HALF REVIEW/SECOND HALF PREVIEW

By: Pete Krupsky

Last season, the Whalers had 42 points in 32 games. When Plymouth lost, 4-2, in Owen Sound on Dec. 15, the Whalers went into the Christmas Break at 19-9-2-2, also with 42 points.

Let's be fair. Last season's team caught fire after Christmas in garnering 103 points during the regular season, then went 16-4 in the OHL Playoffs to win a championship.

While 19-9-2-2 is not the best 32-game start franchise history - the 1998-99 Whalers, who rolled along at 25-5-2, good for 52 points, have the record - it's fair to say there's plenty of optimism in Plymouth.

How many other teams in the OHL have seven players signed to NHL contracts, have their first round draft choice not report, make a major trade with a division rival, go through a coaching change - all in the span of eight months - and remain relatively the same?

There are reasons to be optimistic:

MIKE VELLUCCI and GREG and JOE STEFAN: Whaler defensemen Jozef Sladok, Leo Jenner and Christian Steingraber deserve a ton of credit. They've all played relatively well on the Plymouth blue line in the place of the departed Steve Ward, Steve Whitely, Zack Shepley and Ryan McGinnis. Assistant coach Joe Stefan is soft-spoken about his own role in their development, but the truth is, Stefan gave them the opportunity and they've all worked together to the benefit on everyone.

Stefan has also had a role in Joe Gaynor's development. Gaynor will never lead the league in scoring, but he's developed into a capable, intelligent penalty killer.

The Whalers also have benefited from some shrewd moves this season. For whatever reason, Steingraber couldn't play in Sarnia, but has found a home with the Whalers. Patrick Lee was sent home by the Erie Otters at the start of the season, but has played well with Plymouth. Some fans were shocked by the trade of Michal Neuvirth to Windsor, but Michal Jordan appears to be a keeper who will get better next year and the year after when Neuvirth is elsewhere. Plymouth also acquired Barrie's second round in the Neuvirth trade and with the Colts currently at 17-16-2-1, the pick could land somewhere between 30-37th overall next spring.

With Neuvirth's trade, there's been no loss of efficiency with Jeremy Smith taking over as Plymouth's lead goaltender. Smith will be back next season as well.

Mike Vellucci isn't coaching any more, but he's still very much alive and well on the management side.

Greg Stefan comes in with a nice blend of experience and enthusiasm.

"Is it something I'll do forever? I have no idea," Stefan told the Observer and Eccentric. "Am I going to enjoy it? I hope so. Am I going to be good at it? I hope so. Am I glad I made this decision? Definitely, because this is something I've always wanted to do."

Now he gets the chance to be a head coach.

Not many organizations in sports can move an NHL assistant (who wants to be here) and promote the current OHL Coach of the Year to help run the business side of things. Vellucci is now able to help grow Compuware Arena business, while still helping the Whalers as one of the best general managers in the Canadian Hockey League.

BEAU SCHMITZ, KEVIN LYNCH and ZACH GOLEMBIEWSKI: I broadcast a handful of National Team Developmental Program games, and Schmitz, Lynch and Golembiewski (all 2007 Plymouth picks) can play at the OHL level and would fit right in with the current Whalers. Schmitz is a skilled, physical defenseman in the mold of James Wisniewski who often goes out of his way to initiate contact. Lynch and Golembiewski play with a certain amount of skill and grit.

All three have committed to US Colleges and will probably continue on that path. But all three are capable OHL players, more so next year than this season. Stay tuned.

CHRIS TERRY and AJ JENKS: Give Terry credit, as he's developed into the into the Whalers' premier scoring threat this season. It's no fluke he's in the OHL Top Five in scoring. Terry will return next season during his signing year. Jenks is playing for NHL Draft status this season and is a future member of the United States World Junior Championship Team. Jenks will also return next season.

VERN COOPER: It's been a slow process, but Cooper is starting to show some of the offense predicted when he was selected 13th overall in 2006. One of the beauties of following the Ontario Hockey League is watching a dynamic player like Cooper begin to blossom.

WHAT CAN BROWNS (and MAHALAK) DO FOR YOU?  Right now, rookies Tyler J. Brown (Westland), Tyler G. Brown and RJ Mahalak (Monroe) have a simple job. Provide energy, forecheck in the offensive zone and give the team a lift. They are fun to watch, don't hurt the hockey club at all when they are out there and will score in time. 

The Whalers get back at it on Dec. 27 at home against Saginaw. It's the annual Kid's Day at Compuware Arena, with all kinds of fun activities planned for children who attend the game.

In the meantime, the Whaler kids are good now and getting better as the season wears on. They'll be fun to watch.