Photo - The Whalers and Windsor Spitfires pause for the National Anthem before a game at Compuware Arena. Photo by Rena Laverty.

PLYMOUTH – The Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers start the 2012-13 season on Friday, Sept. 21 in Sault Ste. Marie before returning home the next evening to face the Belleville Bulls in the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 7:05 pm at Compuware Arena.

See the Whalers schedule here.  The Whalers’ entire 2012-13 schedule can also be found later today at http://www.plymouthwhalers.com/schedule.html.

The Ontario Hockey League released the entire 2012-13 schedule today as well.

Saturday remains the primary home date for the Whalers, with 19 Saturday nights leading the way.  Plymouth will also play 10 Friday night games and host four matinees at 2:00 pm – Tuesday, Nov. 6 and Thursday, Dec. 27 against Saginaw, Monday, Jan. 21 against Erie and Sunday, Mar. 10 against Saginaw.

Plymouth will host London on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 5:00 pm at Comerica Park as part of the National Hockey League’s annual Winter Classic. 

Season tickets for the 2012-13 can be purchased by calling Compuware Arena at (734) 453-8400.  Anyone purchasing a season ticket package will receive a ticket to the Plymouth-London Winter Classic game at Comerica Park.  34-game season tickets run $325 and $425.  Go online to: http://www.plymouthwhalers.com/page/season_tickets to find out more.

The Whalers also offer a full-range of partial season tickets, Mini and Flex Packs, Group Rates and Adopt-A-School packages.  Find out more by going to: http://www.plymouthwhalers.com/page/mini-plans.

All always, the Whalers will supplement game nights will a full range of promotions designed for the entire family.  Plymouth’s annual Pink Out! for Breast Cancer Awareness is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 13 against Sault Ste. Marie. The Whalers will also host two Kid’s Day matinees – Thurs. Dec. 27 at 2:00 pm against Saginaw and Mon. Jan. 21 at 2:00 pm against Erie.

Last season, the Whalers won their 10^th West Division title over their 23-year history, finishing second in the Western Conference with a record of 47-18-2-1.  After missing the playoffs in their inaugural season of 1990-91, Plymouth has made the playoffs in 21 straight seasons – a current Ontario Hockey League record. The Whalers expect to be in the middle of the competitive Western Conference race again in 2012-13.

Video: Click here for the Whalers 2011-12 highlight video. (Courtesy of the Schoolcraft College Sports Network).