Former PSU recruit Thomas Welsh to sign with the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL

Thomas and Mike Welsh

Back in September of 2011, I was informed about a highly regarded hockey player that had chosen the NCAA hockey route instead of the CHL route.

At the time, it appeared that the Penn State Nittany Lions had landed Canadian born Thomas Welsh to play his Division I hockey at Penn State University instead of playing in the CHL.

I interviewed his father Mike via email about his son’s decision to join PSU hockey. That article can be found at Inside Hockey.

This past September, Welsh decommitted from Penn State and decided to weigh his options, I wrote about that back in September and that article can be found at Inside Hockey as well.

Yesterday, while I was monitoring my twitter feed I saw a tweet where Thomas Welsh had decided to play for the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL.

Last night, I reached out to Thomas Welsh and he agreed to an interview.

EB: Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions. Sorry to hear about the passing of your father Mike.  Can you tell us what It was like to play for Canada East during the recent 2012 Junior “A” Challenge?    

Thomas Welsh: This was an opportunity of a life time.  When I was notified that I had made the final selection camp I was pumped.  It was sad as well, as my Dad passed away the day earlier of being notified, so he wasn’t aware.

The Team Canada East camp was intense, every player there deserved to be there.  The caliber and bar were set high to make the team.  I gave it 100% every practice and game, in fact on the final day, final game, 1st period I broke my nose.  Had it reset on the bench and continued to play with packing in it.  I was notified the next day by the Team Canada East coaching staff that I had made the team.  Everything happened very quickly as the next day the team left for Yarmouth.

With our first exhibition game against Russia, our bus pulled up to the arena and it was unreal to see fans had lined up 2 hours prior to game to try to get tickets to a sold out event.  The community of Yarmouth was nuts, loud, and extremely supportive of all the teams, but especially to the Team Canada Teams.  I have played in front of crowds around 500 but not 1700 people.  It was so professional, from the volunteers, to the staff running the event.

Team Canada East visited a school, played floor hockey with the kids, and talked about the importance of schooling, what it’s like being a player and such.

Disappointing finish for our team, not the result the team should have gotten but none the less an experience that I will forever be grateful for.  Wearing the jersey and representing Canada is a thrill.

EB: Congrats on your next endeavor in hockey. I noticed on twitter that you were heading to the Mississauga steelheads of the OHL. Can you give us some details what led to your making the jump to the OHL?   When did the OHL become an option again?

Thomas Welsh: Well, as you were aware I had a commitment with Penn State for 2013 but decommitted in September of this year, when we could not come to terms with the original agreement.  I was still very much interested in NCAA hockey and as such was doing my due diligence with other Div. 1 NCAA schools.

When Steelheads contacted my advisor and family for a meeting in June, of this year, it was just a meet and greet sort of thing.  They have been monitoring my development steadily since my acquisition and have stayed in contact.

This week, less than 24 hours ago, the Steelheads, presented an offer.  After discussion with my mom and my advisor were able to come to an agreement.  I have a strong interest in schooling along with developing as a player and I feel at this time that the Steelheads will assist me in this next step academically and athletically.  I am looking forward to developing as a player with the Steelheads and Coach Boyd.

NCAA is a fantastic option and I have been lucky to have the option of the OHL as well.   I think either option is great and it’s an individual thing.

EB: When are you going to be NHL draft eligible? My NHL draft is 2013. Who is your favorite NHL team and who would you like to be drafted by? 

Thomas Welsh:  I think being drafted by any NHL team would be a dream, but would probably have to say Leafs.  I’m a hometown boy.

EB: According to the Toronto Sun, you’re expected to play tonight against the Niagara IceDogs.  
Thomas Welsh: Yes, I am expecting the paperwork to be finalized prior to game time.

EB: Thank you for your time and best of luck to you.  If you don’t mind I would like to follow up with you as your season in the OHL progresses. 

Thomas Welsh:  No problem, Thanks Eric you have been fantastic




Originally Posted at the Hockey Writers Combine.

Defenseman Thomas Welsh de-commits from Penn State

I reached out to Mike Welsh a person that I had interviewed via email last September when his son Thomas committed to play hockey at Penn State. Thomas has since de-committed from PSU. I again, had a conversation with Mike Via email.

It’s nice to talk to you again Mike.  It’s been almost a year since we last chatted.

Q: Your son Thomas Welsh who is a highly sought after recruit recently de-committed from Penn State University this past week and I was wondering if NCAA Hockey is still in the future for Thomas? 

Mike Welsh: Having Thomas gain the experience academically and by continuing his development in hockey by being at an NCAA Division 1 school, was the driving force on why he left Canada before his minor midget draft year.  We felt that if Thomas was in the USA at a prep school that this would send a very clear message to the NCAA that this is a "kid" that really wants to play school hockey.

Decommitting was not something that Thomas – nor us as a family every considered once a decision with PSU was made.   We as a family took our time when we decided on PSU.   As we have stated before Div 1 hockey has so much to offer....  However, one cannot deny the CHL has many benefits as well, its an individual decision that families must make.  Either option can by the right choice.

Q: Was the scandal at Penn State University a factor in the decision to de-commit Penn State University?

Mike Welsh: Absolutely not, PSU University is a very fine institution.

Q: If he’s still considering College Hockey are there any particular schools that he might be interested in? 

Mike Welsh: Thomas will need to explore his options and will have to make a decision based upon due diligence.

Q: I read on a blog that your son’s rights were trade from Sarnia to Mississauga. Is the CHL still an option as well?

Mike Welsh: Thomas was initially drafted by Sarnia in 2011 but was recently traded to the Steelheads this spring (2012).  There has been some discussion with the Steelheads but that is as far as it goes.  Thomas will need to explore other DIv 1 schools.

Q: Has Thomas looked into any schools out west or are there any schools that have shown an interest as well?

Mike Welsh:  The recruiting process for Thomas will need to be "restarted", when he committed to PSU for 2013, he sent a message to other schools that this was his choice.    He will need to restart this process.   The NCAA has particular rules on recruiting and those rules need to be adhered to so that the eligibility for a player remains intact.

Q: I see that Thomas is playing with the OJHL's Georgetown Raiders…

Mike Welsh:  Thomas is playing for the Georgetown Raider Jr A team this year.  It was a family decision for him to return due to some health issues with me.  He recently played in the Team Canada East Evaluation Camp and in the Burlington Cougar Tournament and I provided a link for you.  [click to view]

This is from the Thank You Terry PSU Blog.

 2013 defense commit Thomas Welsh was at a Team Canada East selection camp over the weekend as part of the buildup to choosing who will wear the maple leaf at the World Junior A Challenge in November. Welsh received sound marks for his performance from at least one scout, as he ultimately seeks to join PSU freshmen Curtis Loik and Luke Juha in earning a WJAC gold medal.

So all's great, right? Wrong.

[Mississauga Steelheads GM James] Boyd was there not only scouting the talent. But also his talent. D-Man Thomas Welsh. 95 birthday.

The Steelheads acquired Welsh's draft rights from Sarnia (who initially selected the Toronto native in the fifth round in 2011) back on June 1st. So it certainly seems as if all signs point to the OHL club making a strong push for a guy who qualifies as one of Guy Gadowsky's better recruits to date.

For now, the plan is for Welsh to join the OJHL's Georgetown Raiders this season after playing previously for New England prep powerhouse Salisbury School. But stay tuned.