Class of 2012 on TPS Part 6

Today is the final piece of the puzzle. We've been recapping the year that was on TPS in regard to guests and interviews that pertain especially for the 2012 NHL Draft. Today is the summary for the current month with all of the guests and discussion on the draft that has taken place in June. 

If you missed the other parts of this recap you can find them here: (Part 1), (Part 2), (Part 3), (Part 4) and (Part 5). 

Photo: Nic Kerdiles

American forward Nic Kerdiles spoke with us the day after his participation at the NHL Combine in Toronto. He gave us an excellent rundown of what it was like plus we covered off the other things fans want to know too.

The ISS Draft Countdown for June 2nd focused on some of the high school players fans should get to know. Shattuck-St. Mary's duo of Zach Stepan and Theo Blueger were included as was Sam Kurker, Chris Calnan and Mark Jankowski. 

The stock of Corpus Christi netminder Anthony Stolarz was on a steady rise in the second half of the season. The New Jersey native talked to us about his unusual career path, the NHL combine, the draft and where he'll play next year. 

Photo: Seattle T-Birds

Edmonton product Brandon Troock didn't hide his passion his hometown Oilers but you know the Seattle Thunderbirds power forward's allegiance will change on draft day (unless he's chosen by Stu MacGregor). Troock talked about missing a year of development due to injury, his big goal at the Top Prospects Game and more.

Our CHL Insider, Sam Cosentino from Sportsnet, joins us every Tuesday during the year. On June 5th we were talking NHL Combine with Sam and the impression left by those at the top of the rankings; Nail Yakupov, Mikhail Grigorenko, Alex Galchenyuk, Ryan Murray and more.

Hockey Canada's Goalie Camp was a focus on two separate shows. First, Ron Tugnutt talked about the guys invited to take part including 2012 eligible Malcolm Subban. The next show, Kevin Prendergast gave us his thoughts on the players in Calgary that weekend.

Director of Amateur Scouting for the Phoenix Coyotes, Rick Knickle, joined us to discuss draft strategies and more.

Our friend, Justin Goldman from the Goalie Guild, appeared on June 9th to talk extensively about Malcolm Subban, Andrei Vasilevski and Oscar Dansk.  Also, should teams even draft goalies or should they use the pick elsewhere and sign netminders as free agents?


We tracked down defenceman Adam Pelech who described his disappointment with not being invited to the NHL Combine, his subsequent invitations afterward from various teams, the tough year with the Erie Otters and his lofty ISS draft ranking (30th) compared to Central Scouting (120th). A candid discussion. 


One wildcard on draft day will be high school forward Mark Jankowski. His bloodlines have run through the NHL for generations and we discussed that as well as the various options he has for playing next year. 

Photo: AJHL

Sherwood Park Crusaders goalie Matt Tomkins told us what the NHL Combine and Hockey Canada summer camp was like for him. We also discussed his immediate future in the AJHL, Ohio State or Vancouver. 

Jay Heinbuck is the Director of Amateur Scouting of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He joined us to reflect on the season that was for a couple high profile Pens prospects but also to discuss draft strategy as well. 

This past weekend we spoke with Saskatoon Blades power forward Lukas Sutter. The stereotypical questions about the Sutter family tree came up but we also spoke about the 2013 Memorial Cup in Saskatoon and the Canadian U20 team that he was named to this summer.

The ISS Draft Countdown for June 16 featured Ross MacLean in conversation about Saginaw Spirit goalie Jake Paterson and forward Justin Kea. Lukas Sutter came up as did PEI goalie Maxime Legacé. We capped it off by talking about an Australian hockey player, born in Wales who played professionally last year in the Czech Republic - Nathan Walker, ranked 125th by ISS.

The Calgary Flames were in our team spotlight. Assistant General Manager John Weisbrod told us his draft beliefs when it comes to drafting for need, position or best player available as well as with goalies. A big one of you're a Flames fan.

Director of Scouting for the San Jose Sharks, Tim Burke, helped cap off the season in style. The veteran scout went in depth on the NHL combine, the reasons why his team is notorious for challenging players in interviews and more. He swears a couple of times, just in case you're sensitive to that type of thing.

And that leads us up to the present. On Monday morning you can tune in and here Sportsnet's Patrick King, Team 1260 morning show hosts Dustin Nielson and Wil Fraser and myself as we discuss the draft in an hour-long round table. That happens from 9-10 AM Edmonton time, 11-Noon EST. You can listen in at www.theteam1260.com or via the player at our site, www.thepipelineshow.com

Last but definitely not least... our annual 2-hour ISS Draft Preview Show is set for Tuesday night. Ross MacLean will join is in studio for the entire show and we'll take you questions via email, text or on Twitter. It's one of our most downloaded shows of the year as we cover dozens of players before the draft.

Don't forget that you can hear Dean and I hosting the TEAM 1260's draft coverage on Friday night from 5-9pm. All the Mon-Fri show hosts will be in Pittsburgh this week with The Pipeline Show anchoring the event from here on Friday for round 1 and again on Saturday from 10-Noon MST for Day 2 coverage.    

L-R: G.Flaming, M.Pysyk, T.Ennis, D.Millard

It's been a hell of a year. For those of you who have been with us for the ride, I hope you've enjoyed this look back. If you are someone who is just discovering TPS now, then welcome aboard. We do not take the summer off so feel free to join us every Tuesday evening and Saturday morning as we continue shining the light on the stars of tomorrow. 

Follow us on Twitter: @thepipelineshow
Email us: pipeup@theteam1260.com