ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland and Labrador – The St. John’s IceCaps have reportedly added some offensive punch to their forward lines with the rumored signing of left winger Derek Whitmore.
The team has not yet announced the signing, but according to a report in the Democrat and Chronicle, a Rochester-based newspaper, Whitmore has signed a 25-game tryout contract with the IceCaps, the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets.
Whitmore spent the 2011-12 season playing for the Rochester Americans of the AHL. He led the team in goals with 28, while finishing third on the roster in points with 44. He also enjoyed a brief call up to the Buffalo Sabres, playing the first two NHL games of his career.
Whitmore, 27, has been playing professional hockey since 2008, having wracked up 318 AHL games with the Portland Pirates and Rochester Americans. His highest offensive output came during the 2010-11 campaign when he collected 27 goals, 20 assists and 47 points for the Americans.
Prior to his professional career, Whitmore spent four seasons with Bowling Green State University, a Div. I NCAA program. In 143 games with Bowling Green, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward had 70 goals, 32 assists and 102 points. His finest NCAA season came in his senior year when he registered 27 goals, 10 assists and 37 points in 38 games. Whitmore also served as the team’s captain during his final season of Div. I hockey.
Throughout his professional career Whitmore has developed a reputation as a skilled forward with an obvious scoring touch. His ability to find the back of the net could come in handy on an IceCaps team that was long on grit and effort, but short on offensive talent, during the 2011-12 season. Whitmore’s 28 goals were six more than any member of the IceCaps managed to score last year, while his 47 points would have ranked second on the St. John’s roster.
The IceCaps begin training camp on Oct. 1 in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador.
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