Plymouth Whalers trade goalie Mahalak to Kingston for draft choices

Matt Mahalak has played three seasons with Plymouth Whalers

PLYMOUTH, Mich. – Plymouth Whalers General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci announced the trade of 20-year-old goaltender Matt Mahalak to the Kingston Frontenacs in exchange for a pair of draft choices in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection - Windsor's third round pick in the 2014 Priority Selection and Kingston's third round pick in the 2015 Priority Selection.

Mahalak was originally selected by Plymouth in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2009 OHL Draft and played three seasons for the Whalers, posting a 2.84 goals against average, .912 save percentage and 49-27-5-6 won-loss record with seven shutouts in 97 games.

Mahalak was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the sixth round (163rd overall) of the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft, but was not signed by the Hurricanes and is eligible for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Ontario Hockey League teams can play three overage players (1993-birthdays). With the trade of Mahalak, the Whalers have as many as nine 1993 birthdays remaining on the current roster, including Stefan Noesen, Rickard Rakell, Garrett Meurs and Vince Trocheck, who are all expected to move on to professional hockey. Other 1993 birthdays include Nick Malysa, Curtis Crombeen, Zach Lorentz, Michael Whaley and Sebastian Uvira.

Last season, the Whalers made the playoffs for the 22nd consecutive year – a current OHL record – and captured their 12th West Division title over 23 years. Plymouth expects to be in thick of the Western Conference race again in 2013-14.