News Release

       Contact: Pete Krupsky                                                   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

       Phone: (734) 453-8400                                                Thursday, January 10, 2008

            WHALERS TRADE BRETT VALLIQUETTE TO OTTAWA in DEADLINE DEAL

PLYMOUTH – Plymouth Whalers President and General Manager Mike Vellucci announced the trade of 18-year-old left wing Brett Valliquette to the Ottawa 67’s in exchange for a fifth round draft choice in the 2008 Ontario Hockey League Draft.

Valliquette was selected by Plymouth in the 13th round (249th overall) in the 2005 OHL Draft and was playing in his first full season for the Whalers. After appearing in five games and recording an assist last season, Valliquette scored five goals with five assists for 10 points and 49 PIM’s in 38 games this season.

“With the continued development of our rookie forwards – Tyler J. Brown (Westland), RJ Mahalak (Monroe), Taylor Carnevale and Tyler G. Brown – we feel comfortable with our depth up front,” Vellucci said.  “The trade to Ottawa will give Brett a chance for regular ice time.”

The Ontario Hockey League’s Final Trading Deadline is 6 p.m. this evening.

Earlier today, Vellucci announced the signing of 18-year-old right wing Ryan Hayes, the Whalers’ sixth round selection (109th overall) in the 2005 OHL Draft.  Hayes played in 2005-06 and 2006-07 for the National Team Developmental Program in Ann Arbor and started this season with Boston College.

Hayes practiced with the Whalers today and will make his Whalers debut tomorrow evening in Sarnia against the Sting.  Hayes will make his Plymouth home debut Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at Compuware Arena against Erie.  Tickets for Saturday’s game are available by calling the Compuware Arena Box Office at (734) 453-8400 or by going online to Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com.

A list of deals at the OHL Trading Deadline can found by going to http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/media_notes/.

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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