News Release
Contact: Pete Krupsky FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: (734) 453-8400 Friday, December 7, 2007
PLYMOUTH WHALERS TRADE ZACK SHEPLEY TO BRAMPTON
PLYMOUTH – Plymouth Whalers President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci announced the trade of 20-year-old defenseman Zack Shepley to the Brampton Battalion in exchange for a third round draft choice in 2010.
The deal gets Plymouth to the limit of three overage players (or 1987 birthdays) as required by Ontario Hockey League rules. The Whalers’ other overage players include center Andrew Fournier, right wing Joe McCann and defenseman Wes Cunningham.
Shepley was originally selected by Plymouth in the 10th round (199th overall) of the 2003 OHL Draft. Shepley developed into an excellent stay-at-home defenseman who was an integral part of the Whalers championship team last season. In 176 career regular season games with Plymouth, Shepley scored two goals with 20 assists for 22 points and 165 PIM’s.
Shepley has not played this season due to an injury, but has resumed skating over the past couple of weeks and is expected to report to the Battalion ready to play. Brampton hosts Niagara tonight and Sudbury on Sunday.
“We appreciate everything Zack did for us,” Vellucci said. “He was a big part of our championship team last year. By going to Brampton, he has a chance to play close to home.”
Shepley grew up in Oakville, ON and his family lives in Milton, roughly 15 miles away from Brampton.
The Whalers (18-6-1-2) are home this weekend, hosting Windsor (20-6-1-3) tonight and Barrie tomorrow at Compuware Arena. Both games start at 7:05 p.m.
Saturday night is the Whalers’ Annual Teddy Bear Toss night. Fans are encouraged to bring a new stuffed animal to the game and throw it on the ice when the Whalers score their first goal of the evening. The animals with be picked up and - with the help of Plymouth United Way – will find a new home for the holidays. The Whalers’ Booster Club will be selling Teddy Bears on Saturday for $2.
Tickets can be purchased for all Plymouth games by calling the Compuware Arena at (734) 453-8400 or by going to Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com.
About the Plymouth Whalers
The Plymouth Whalers are the only Metro Detroit team in the Ontario Hockey League, a developmental league for National Hockey League players. The Whalers all range in age from 15-21 years-old and are consistently one of the top teams in the OHL. In 2006-07, the Whalers won the OHL Championship. www.plymouthwhalers.com.
About Compuware Arena
Compuware Arena is home to the 2007 Ontario Hockey League Champion Plymouth Whalers, the Major Indoor Soccer League’s Detroit Ignition, the Compuware Arena Drive-In Theatres, the MHSAA Boys State Hockey Championships and eight AAA Compuware Hockey youth teams. Compuware Arena serves more than one million patrons each year, and is located in Plymouth, Michigan. www.compuwarearena.com
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