PLYMOUTH – Plymouth Whalers general manager and head coach Mike Vellucci announced the acquisition of 18-year-old defenseman Gianluca Curcuruto from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in exchange for 17-year-old left wing Mitchell Dempsey and 16-year center Dylan Mascarin.

“With three defensemen leaving from last year’s team, we were looking to add more experience to our defense,” said Vellucci.  “Curcuruto is a young veteran who will help.” 

Curcuruto was originally selected by Sault Ste. Marie in the first round (14^th overall) of the 2010 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.  He played for Team Ontario at the 2011 World Under-17 Championships. In two seasons with the Greyhounds, Curcuruto scored four goals with 38 assists for 42 points and 62 PIM’s in 119 games.  Curcuruto was selected in the seventh round (182^nd overall) by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2012 National Hockey League Entry Draft.      

Dempsey was originally selected by Plymouth in the first round (11^th overall) in the 2011 OHL Draft and scored a goal with four assists for five points in 34 games last season as a rookie.  Mascarin was originally taken by Plymouth in the 5^th round (93^rd overall) in the 2011 OHL Draft.

Curcuruto (pronounced John-LOO-ka Kur-kur-ROOT-toe) is expected to report to Plymouth’s training in late August.  Plymouth opens the preseason on Sat. Sept. 1 against Windsor at Yack Arena in Wyandotte at 7 pm.  The Whalers’ home opener is Sat. Sept. 22 at 7:05 pm at Compuware Arena against Belleville.

Tickets for all Plymouth games can be purchased by calling Compuware Arena at (734) 453-8400.