Whalers, Fans Get First Look at Rookies

The Plymouth Whalers got a first look at their rookies and a handful of other prospects over the weekend as they held a rookie orientation at . 

On Saturday and Sunday, an assortment of draft picks from the past two seasons, and free agents, visited Plymouth, Plymouth-Canton Educational Park and Compuware Arena in a casual setting for orientation and a series of off-ice testing and on-ice scrimmages for the Ontario Hockey League team.

The weekend was for players and parents to "see what Plymouth is all about," said Pete Krupsky, the Whalers' director of communications. He said it provided the players an opportunity to "see where they are playing and going to school."

He said players and parents both had a "pretty full day" Saturday, as they toured the schools and the surrounding area. While a scrimmage took place Saturday, Sunday was solely focused on scrimmaging.

Coach Mike Vellucci said in a news release the hockey during the weekend was almost secondary and that the team was interested in showing the players and parents what the Whalers had to offer as an organization. 

The event, Krupsky said, also allowed coaches to put faces to players' names or e-mail addresses. The , was conducted electronically and Krupsky said this marked the first time the coaches have met many of the prospects. 

While Saturday's events were relatively low-key, about 20 or 30 fans stopped by the arena Sunday to watch the players scrimmage. 

Krupsky said it was too early to tell which players would make the team next season.

Next up for the Whalers is the National Hockey League combine in Toronto from May 30-June 24. Krupsky said current Whalers Rickard Rakell, Stefan Noesen and Matt Mahalak were invited to participate. The NHL Entry Draft will be held June 24-25 in St. Paul, MN. 

The Whalers finished sixth in the OHL's Western Conference race last season with a record of 36-24-2-6. 

Whalers sign goaltender Jake Patterson

The Whalers announced today in a news release they signed goaltender Jake Patterson.

Patterson, 16, from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, participated in the weekend's rookie orientation. 

The 6-foot-1, 176-pound goaltender played last season for the Hamilton Red Wings, according ot the news release, where he posted a 3.49 goals-against average. 

Patterson will join Scott Wedgewood and Matt Mahalak as the team's goaltenders. 

He will attend Plymouth-Canton schools.

Seguin, Bruins gear up for Game 5

The Boston Bruins, led by former Plymouth Whaler Tyler Seguin, play host to the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight in Game 5 of the NHL's Eastern Conference Finals. 

Seguin after a heroic Game 3 effort, in which he tallied four points to lead the Bruins to a 6-5 win against the Lightning. Tampa Bay took Game 4, however, 5-2. The best-of-seven series is tied at two games apiece.