Coming directly from graduation, Sean Whitney ’12 signed with the Florida Everblades for the upcoming 2012-2013 season. At 6-4 and 195 lbs. the Massachusetts native will follow in his brother and NHL veteran Ryan Whitney’s footsteps into the professional realm of hockey.
“Sean is a big-bodied, and very intelligent defenseman. He has the ability to stabilize our back end,” said head coach Greg Poss.
For the Red, Whitney was a pivotal part of the team’s past success. Overall he played 101 career games for the defense, earning an ECAC Hockey championship and three runs in the NCAA tournament during his time with Cornell. Together with Braden Birch ’12, the dynamic duo matched up against some of the best offensive lines in the country and the pair didn’t surrender a five-on-five goal until Jan. 28 of last season. Last season all together, Whitney grabbed 11 points by scoring two goals and racking up nine assists. On the offensive end, Whitney scored both of his goals in the ECAC Hockey quarterfinal takedown of Dartmouth in March. His plus-10 rating on the year was the highest of his career, and his total of 11 points tied a career high. Over all four years with the Red, Whitney accumulated 30 points, thanks to seven goals and 23 assists.
Whitney may be new to professional play, but the Everblades’ home rink will be a familiar venue. Previously, he had three assists in seven career games at the Florida College Hockey Classic, which gets played annually at the Germain Arena , as well as all home Everblades’ matchups. The Everblades will head into the team’s 15th season, with a Kelly Cup win under their belts and hopes for an upcoming winning season.
Original Author: Haley Velasco