Whalers Trade Cody Payne to Saginaw for Draft Choices

Press Release

PLYMOUTH – Plymouth Whalers General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci announced the trade of 19-year-old forward Cody Payne to the Saginaw Spirit in exchange for two draft choices – Saginaw’s 2nd round choice in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, plus Saginaw’s 3rd round choice in the 2016 Priority Selection.

The Whalers acquired Payne on Nov. 2, 2011 from Oshawa in exchange for a third round pick in the 2012 OHL Draft.  Payne played 116 games over two seasons for Plymouth, scoring 27 goals and 32 assists for 59 points with 170 PIM’s and was +15.  Payne enjoyed his best offensive year last season for the Whalers, scoring 24 goals with 21 assists for 45 points with 75 PIM’s and was +16 in 66 games.

Payne – from Weston, FL – was originally taken by the Boston Bruins in the fifth round (145th overall) of the 2012 National Hockey League Entry Draft.  His NHL rights were traded to the Dallas Stars at the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline.

The Whalers today also acquired 17-year-old center Francesco Vilardi from the Sudbury Wolves for a third round draft choice in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. 

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)