* European flavor: Former Otters center Geoff Platt (2003-05) has begun the season with Minsk Dynamo in the Kontinental Hockey League, which reportedly has replaced the Russian Super League.
The language barrier remains his biggest obstacle, Platt, 23, said by e-mail earlier this week. “Belarus speaks predominantly Russian and very minute amounts of English,” he said. “Interacting with people in everyday life and teammates can be very challenging. But with anything in life, you learn to adapt.”
Platt, who will join Ilves Tampere of the Finnish Elite League later this season, finished the 2007-08 season with Portland, Anaheim’s AHL affiliate. He had 28 goals and 58 points in 60 games. Coupled with stints in Syracuse, Columbus’ AHL club, and Anaheim, he had 32 goals and 65 points in 80 games.
But Platt chose to play in Europe “to continue developing at the game of hockey,” he said. “I felt that after three successful seasons split between the AHL and NHL and never fully becoming an everyday NHL player, I needed to pursue another angle of attack directed towards my ultimate goal of the NHL.”
Platt once was concerned about returning to North America. But, he said, “After careful consideration and now a month of KHL experience, the rush to return has subsided,” he said. “If I can be successful playing hockey here or anywhere in Europe, the so-called calling card for North America will come naturally.”
* Much-needed turnaround: Plymouth winger Patrick Lee, 20, has savored his time in the OHL since being waived by the Otters early last season. A year after being unable to earn a spot in Erie’s starting lineup, “I’m being used in a lot of situations,” Lee said before Friday’s game at Tullio Arena. “It’s a lot different than I played in Erie.” Lee has 16 goals and 30 points in 65 games with the Whalers, compared to 10 goals and 30 points in 119 games with the Otters from 2005-07.
* Scratch list: The Otters scratched defenseman Mitch Gaulton (left elbow), centers Phil Teri, Mike Cazzola and Edgar Rybakov and wingers Michael Liambas (hip flexor), Kelly Geoffrey (shoulder) and Matthew Paton (appendectomy). … Plymouth scratched goaltender Scott Wedgewood, defenseman Leo Jenner (five-game OHL suspension), Christian Steingraber (four-game OHL suspension) and Anthony Donati and forwards Peter Neal, A.J. Jenks (strained knee) and Cory McGillis (concussion).
* Around the rink: Jenks could miss another two weeks, a Whalers’ official said. … The Otters held a moment of silence for Thomas Tewes, co-owner of the Whalers, NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and ECHL’s Florida Everblades, who lost his two-year battle with leukemia on Sunday at age 76. … Neal’s older brother, James, is battling for a spot on Dallas’ roster.

– Victor Fernandes