FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Monday, July 20, 2009
PLYMOUTH WHALERS SIGN NEW
JERSEY DEFENSEMAN NICK MALYSA
Steady defenseman considered
to be a top prospect among 1993 birthdays
PLYMOUTH, MI
—
Plymouth Whalers President, General Manager and
Head Coach Mike Vellucci announced the signing of 16-year-old
defenseman Nick Malysa, who was selected by the Whalers in the
fifth round (99th overall) of the 2009 Ontario Hockey League Draft.
Malysa who is from Bridgewater, NJ scored a
goal with 10 assists for 11 points in 21 games last season for the North Jersey
Avalanche. The Central Scouting Bureau describes Malysa (pronounced Muh-LEE-sah)
as a puck moving defenseman who also plays very solid defensively. He is
effective in all three zones, displays a high level of composure while
possessing a combination of size, tools and hockey sense. Malysa is an excellent
skater with a very smooth and effortless stride that provides him with quickness
and great mobility. He is very good moving laterally, showing the ability to
take away time and space very effectively.
I like to play a stay-at-home style of 'D'," Malysa said. "I like to style
myself after Tom Poti.
The Whalers saw some of Malysa’s talent during
Plymouth’s Rookie Orientation Camp in May.
Malysa was already familiar with Plymouth and
Compuware Arena, having played in a friendship tournament here last season with
his North Jersey team against the Compuware, Belle Tire and Little Caesars
programs.
"I'm very, very happy and very excited," Malysa
said today about signing. "At Rookie Camp, I got to see more of the rink and
more behind the scenes about the program. The Whalers are a well-run
organization. My education package helps out my family, so you get excellent
hockey with the education. It's a good deal. I'm happy to get started."
Malysa will be attending school this fall at
the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park.
Malysa is the third selection signed from the
Whalers' 2009 draft class and the fifth player signed by Plymouth this
off-season. Earlier, Vellucci signed Garrett Meurs (first
round, 13th overall, 2009) and Stefan Noesen (fourth round,
64th overall, 2009), along with free-agent right-wing Austin Mattson
(Livonia) and defenseman Colin MacDonald, who was taken by the
Whalers in 14th round (270th overall) in the 2008 OHL Draft.
Malysa is expected to report to Plymouth's
training camp in late August. Plymouth's first preseason game is Saturday,
August 29 against Saginaw in Brighton, MI. The Whalers open the season on
Thursday, September 17 in Windsor, with the home opener on Saturday, September
19 at Compuware Arena against Oshawa
For information on Whalers ticket packages or to plan a group event, visit
plymouthwhalers.com or call
734-453-8400.
www.plymouthwhalers.com
PLYMOUTH
WHALERS: Compuware Arena * 14900
Beck Rd. * Plymouth, MI 48170 * 734-453-4201
MEDIA
CONTACTS: Pete Krupsky, Director
of Communications, 734-453-8400 x62513,
peterk@plymouthwhalers.com
Natalie Shaver,
Sales and Marketing Administrator, 734-453-8400 x62504,
natalies@plymouthwhalers.com