Greyhounds complete deal with Whalers
Wednesday, August 01, 2012 by: Brad Coccimiglio
With the Ontario Hockey League trade freeze being lifted on Wednesday, the Soo Greyhounds were among the teams to make deals as the trade window opened.
The Greyhounds dealt defenceman Gianluca Curcuruto to the Plymouth Whalers on Wednesday afternoon. In return, the locals received forwards Mitchell Dempsey and Dylan Mascarin.
Dempsey, the Whalers first round pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection, suited up in 34 games with the Whalers in 2011-12 and scored a goal and four assist. The 17-year-old also suited up for Team Ontario at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge at Christmas.
After being selected by the Whalers in the fifth round of the 2011 draft, Mascarin spent the 2011-12 season with the Thunder Bay North Stars of the Superior International Junior League where he posted six goals and 18 assists in 42 games.
Curcuruto spent two seasons with the Greyhounds and was recently selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Following is the full release from the Greyhounds regarding the trade:
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Soo Greyhounds GM Kyle Dubas has announced this afternoon a deal with the Plymouth Whalers that results in both clubs transferring former 1st Round picks as part of the trade.
The Hounds acquire 17-year old left-winger MITCHELL DEMPSEY and 16-year old forward DYLAN MASCARIN in exchange for 18-year old defenseman Gianluca Curcuruto.
Dempsey, a product of Cambridge, ON was originally selected by Plymouth in the 1st Round (11th overall) of the 2011 OHL Priority Selection. Mitchell entered the draft following a 72 point season with the Cambridge Hawks.
When selected, Phoenix Coyotes Scout Jeff Twohey spoke highly of Dempsey to MLive.com.
“Mitchell’s a big winger who plays hard. Not only is there some size and competitiveness, but he also has the ability to score goals. He’s a big body, hard-working, physical and competitive.”
This past season the 6.03, 210-lb power forward appeared in 34 regular season games for Plymouth grabbing 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points. He was also a member of the bronze medal winning Team Ontario at the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge.
With Mascarin, the Hounds acquire the first Thunder Bay product chosen in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection. Originally chosen in the 5th Round by Plymouth, Dylan played this past season for the Thunder Bay North Stars of the SIJHL. In 42 games played he had 6 goals and 18 assists and would later participate in the Dudley Hewitt Cup, Central Canadian Junior A Championship.
He stands 6.0” while weighing in at 160 lbs. Mascarin is a physical player who brings speed and the ability to agitate the opposition’s top players to the Greyhounds lineup.
The trade brings mixed emotions to the program as it sees the departure of Gianluca Curcuruto. Curcuruto was the Hounds 1st round selection in the 2010 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection (14th overall) and represented the Hounds at the 2011 World Under 17 Championship. The Columbus Blue Jackets selected Curcuruto in the 7th round, 182nd overall in Saturday’s NHL Entry Draft.
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