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Instead of pursuing a college hockey career at the University of Michigan, defenseman Connor Carrick has signed an OHL contract with the Plymouth Whalers.
The Whalers acquired Carrick's rights from the Guelph Storm in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection and conditional third round picks. He was originally drafted by the Storm in the 11th round (212th overall) of the 2010 OHL Priority Selection.
The native of Orland Park, Illinois has played the last two seasons with the United States Hockey League's U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Last season with the U.S. NTDP U-18 squad, Carrick scored eight goals and added 13 assists in 57 games. Carrick, who is listed at 5'11", 191 lbs, was drafted in the fifth round (137th overall) by the Washington Capitals at the 2012 NHL Draft. Carrick could step in and help fill the void left by Beau Schmitz and Austin Levi, who have both graduated from the NHL to the Carolina Hurricanes' organization.
Carrick will have a chance to play with a few of his future Whaler teammates as he joins Ryan Hartman, JT Miller and Stefan Noesen at the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, New York from August 4-11. They will be competing for a spot on the US National Junior team that will compete in the 2013 World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia from December 26, 2012-January 5, 2013.
Other OHL News: Rickard Rakell of the Plymouth Whalers has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks. In 2011-12 with the Whalers, the Ducks' first round pick (30th overall) scored 28 goals and added 34 assists with a plus/minus rating of +9 in 60 games.
Shane Prince of the Ottawa 67's has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators. Last season, Prince set career highs with 43 goals and 90 points, ranking fourth in OHL scoring. In the playoffs, Prince finished second in team scoring with 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 18 games.
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