Karmanos Targeting Chatham To Relocate OHL’s Whalers
Matt Mistele of the Plymouth Whalers was a 6th round pick of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings last year. His Whalers are targeting Chatham, Ontario for relocation – Photo by Aaron Bell/ OHL Images
Senior NHL Writer for ESPN The Magazine Craig Custance Tweeted today, “Spoke with Peter Karmanos who said he’s targeting small Canadian city for relocation of Plymouth Whalers: “Hopefully, Chatham.”
This coming after weeks of speculation of renewed talks with OHL teams in Chatham.
CKSN received tips this summer stating the Plymouth Whalers were in town, and again two weeks ago, stating the OHL franchise’s relocation to Chatham was a topic for discussion at the Hockey Hall of Fame inductions in Toronto.
Custance followed up his Tweet regarding the possible relocation of the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers to Chatham with the following justification from Karmanos.
“Karmanos on the struggles in Plymouth: “It was continually a battle to break even there, no matter how good we did as a team.”
The Chatham Maroons are currently the areas top Junior team, playing in the Junior B GOJHL.
Update: Following these initial reports, it has become clear that Flint, Michigan may in fact be the destination for the Plymouth Whalers. Flint is expecting to make a major announcement Tuesday. More to follow on this story.