Honest Grinder Danny Vanderwiel Leads Plymouth Whalers By Example

Photo by Rena Laverty.

Stroll into Compuware Arena any morning around 10:30 am and you might find Whalers veteran Danny Vanderwiel working out. He might be riding a stationary bike or running the stairs and the area behind the stands at Compuware Arena.

No matter what Vanderwiel is doing, there’s a sense of urgency, optimism and excitement to get the 2014-15 season started.

He stopped long enough to chat for a few moments.

“I’m definitely excited to get the year going,” Vanderwiel said. “We have a few good additions over the summer – Mathew Campagna and Sonny Milano, and others. I think they’ll be a great add to team. I think they’ll help us out a lot this year.

”We’re definitely on the upswing. We got to gel last year during the second half and were playing some real good hockey towards the end of the year. We have some new additions over the summer. We have some guys with a year in now – we’re not the youngest team in the league any more. We should be a solid hockey team this year.”

Look at Vanderwiel and it’s obvious he spent the summer working out in preparation for the season.

“I trained over the summer with some of my good buddies that played Division I college hockey,” Vanderwiel agreed. “We had a really good summer together. We were all working out really hard, training and getting ready for the upcoming year.”

Most Whaler fans are excited about the prospect of watching new players like Milano, Campagna and Will Bitten over a 68-game OHL season and they should be excited. The beauty of the Ontario Hockey League is for every Sonny Milano, there are honest grinders like Danny Vanderwiel and others who contribute to any team’s success.

Over time, Vanderwiel has become a good penalty killer, forechecker and honest player who gives a solid effort every shift.

He scored twice during the preseason.     AUDIO Vanderwiel’s goal on Aug. 30 in Windsor.

“It takes time to get used to this league,” Vanderwiel said. “The OHL is probably the best junior league in the World. It’s hard to be a scorer in this league. Coming into it (the OHL) was tough and I had to re-establish my role. So I tried to play a more physical game.

“But this year I think I’m ready to break out offensively. I think that will happen.”

Now starting his fourth year with Vanderwiel, Plymouth head coach Don Elland appreciates the effort of his 19-year-old grinder.

”Danny done everything we’ve asked of him over the last three years,” Elland said. “He played with limited time over his first couple of years. (Now), he kills penalties, he’s on our checking line, he chips offensively every once in awhile. I think this year his role is going to get bigger and bigger.”

Earlier in preseason, the Whalers had ten players away at various National Hockey League prospect tournaments or pro camps. As the remaining leader in seniority, Vanderwiel wore the “C” during Plymouth’s last preseason game on Sept. 12 in Guelph.

Ironically, Vanderwiel has had a lot of success at Sleeman Centre in Guelph. He recorded a hat trick on Jan. 3, 2013 in a 6-2 Plymouth victory.

VIDEO - Vanderwiel’s hat trick.

Vanderwiel tries to help out young players whenever possible.

“It was very cool to wear the “C”, Vanderwiel said. “You just try to show them (young players) the ropes. You’re not rude to them just because they’re young. You just try to help them out in any way that you can to help them get better.

“You talk with them about things. I know ‘Bits’ (Will Bitten) was a little worried about looking up to the older guys in practice. I said, ‘Don’t worry about it – you’re a hockey player and you are here to play hockey.’ If you see a play to make (then) make it. Don’t worry about the older guys.”

If Elland compliments Vanderwiel, Vanderwiel give the compliment back to his new head coach.

“Donnie helped me out a lot throughout my career. He’s been a huge help. He’s just been a great guy – any time I’ve ever needed him, to pull him aside and talk about hockey, or anything at all, Donnie’s been always there and has been a great guy.

“I think he’ll do a great job as head coach this year.”

Elland emphasized the sense of urgency Vanderwiel feels this season.

“I think he realizes how important the next couple of years are,” Elland said. “He’s led this year from the first day he arrived he’s arrived in Plymouth. He’s worked extremely hard. I think that once you start working hard all the time (the results) don’t immediately show, but eventually it’s going to pay off for him. I think good things are going to happen for Danny this year.”

Vanderwiel is off to a good start.