Class of 2012 on TPS Part 5

The last two weeks I've been recapping the season that was on TPS as a draft primer for those who like to cram for information right before the big event. Today's entry in the series looks back at May.

If you missed the other parts of this recap you can find them here: (Part 1), (Part 2), (Part 3) and (Part 4).

Photo: Tom Sorensen

He started the year off with a lot of promise but ended the year amid some turmoil. Miles Koules went from standout at the NHL's R&D Camp to being dropped from the US-NTDP U18 squad to the U17 team. At the end of the year he made news again by declaring his intention to join the Medicine Hat Tigers next year as opposed to going to college route. He talked to us about it all.

What effect did Ryan Murray playing at the Men's World Championship have on the scouting community? That came up in the ISS Draft Countdown segment on May 5th. Ross MacLean looked at Murray as well as Brendan Leipsic, Derrick Pouliot, Andreas Athanasiou, Mitch Moroz, Anthony Stolarz and Jesse Graham.

Brendan Leipsic was a live guest with us on the very next show as the Portland Winterhawks and Edmonton Oil Kings battled for WHL supremacy. 

Photo: Aaron Bell

Finnish defenceman Olli Maatta was in our spotlight in early May just after the London Knights were crowned OHL Champions.

Our 2012 Memorial Cup Coach's Show is always a hi-light for us. Assistant GM/Coach Misha Donskov represented the London Knights and gave some great insight for both Olli Maatta and Andreas Athanasiou.

Shawinigan Cataractes head coach Eric Veilleux told us about Russian Anton Zlobin who would go on to score the Memorial Cup game winning goal.

Head Coach Derek Laxdal of the Edmonton Oil Kings previewed his club's arrival at the Memorial Cup which included comments on defenceman Griffin Reinhart and his development over the season.

Our CHL Insider, Sam Cosentino from Sportsnet, joins us every Tuesday. On this occasion it was do set up the Memorial Cup and in doing so he touched on several draft eligible players.

The ISS Draft Countdown for May 19th featured Ross MacLean's exclusive looks at Radek Faksa, Niklas Tikkinen, Hamphus Lindholm, Scott Laughton and Alex Dubeau. 

Photo: Waterloo Blackhawks

The USHL Finals gave us an opportunity to talk to a couple more head coaches. Waterloo bench boss P.K. O'Handley gave us a rundown of his team including draft eligible goalie Stephon Williams and forwards A.J. Michaelson and Vincent Hinostroza. Then we spoke with A.J. Michaelson himself (same link).

Green Bay Gamblers rookie head coach Derek Lalonde told us about defenceman Jordan Schmaltz and more.

Overlooked in 2011, London Knights forward Seth Griffith gave us a few minutes during the Memorial Cup to talk about the motivation he has played with all year to prove doubters wrong before the draft in 2012.

Dubuque Fighting Saints GM/head coach Jim Montgomery talked at length about Zemgus Girgensons and Michael Matheson as well as incoming players Peter Quenneville and Matt Benning, both also eligble for the 2012 NHL Draft.

Photo: Jana Chytilova

Soo Greyhounds goalie Matt Murray was extremely candid during our interview. He talked openly about Jack Campbell and what playing in Top Prospects Game and World U18s meant for him this year. 

USA U18 blueliner Pat Sieloff was a guest on TPS a couple of days after announcing his OHL intentions. We talked about that plus his combine experience and winning gold at the U18s as well.

Photo: Aaron Bell

The last, but certainly not least, of the May draft interviews was with potential #1 overall pick Nail Yakupov. The Sarnia Sting forward joined us very late after a long day of combine interviews but provided some memorable sound bites in the process.

I will recap June early next week before the big show on Tuesday...

Don't forget, the 2-hour ISS Draft Special is slated for Tuesday June 19th. Head scout Ross MacLean will join us in studio for the entire show and we'll be taking your questions via email, Twitter and text. Don't miss your chance to get caught up on the draft and maybe have your questions answered on air during the big show.