Plymouth Whalers Tom Wilson, Andy Bathgate featured in mid-week links

WHALERS THIS WEEK:

Friday - Plymouth at London, 7:30pm, John Labatt Centre, (7:15pm, The New 88.1FM WSDP, www.plymouthwhalers.com).

Saturday - Kitchener at Plymouth, 7:05pm, Compuware Arena (6:45pm,www.plymouthwhalers.com).

Sunday - Saginaw at Plymouth, 2pm, Compuware Arena (1:45pm,www.plymouthwhalers.com).

Sunday is also Faith and Family Day at Compuware Arena.

Plymouth Whalers Tom Wilson and Andy Bathgate are in different stages of their hockey careers, but they are linked together.

They live together in the same house, and here we have stories about both of them.

Dan Swallows profiles Wilson in a Q and A:

I’ve had the opportunity to see you play a few times now, and have been really impressed with your physical dominance and work along the boards. What do you see being you best attributes as a player?

Tom: For sure my physical play, and ability to create time and space for my linemates.

I read somewhere that your coach-GM Mike Vellucci compared you to the Penguins James Neal, but is there an NHLer you mold your game after?

Tom: Milan Lucic would be one guy I try to pattern my game after, a big skilled guy that shows up and works hard every night. I think the opposition always knows when he is on the ice.

Along with being a tremendous talent on the ice, I’ve heard you are just as gifted in the classroom, what made you opt to play in the OHL rather than take the NCAA route?

Tom: I think that my style of play is more catered towards the OHL. It is the quickest route to professional hockey, and I wanted to play at the highest level I could right away, not wait around for two years in tier 2 or the USHL.

See the rest of the story.

In addition, Wilson is listed in two mock drafts conducted by NHL.com for the upcoming 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

In the opinion of two writers, Plymouth's Tom Wilson will be selected in the first round of the draft.

Steve Hoffner has Wilson going 25th overall to Nashville.

Hoffner's quote about Wilson: "Looked sharp at Top Prospects Game; Preds in real need of a power forward"

Adam Kimelman has Wilson going 27th overall to Boston.

Kimelman's quote about Wilson: "Bruising forward showcased physical side playing for ex-Bruin Mark Recchi at Top Prospects Game."

NHL.com has more on the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Bob McKenzie of TSN.ca chimes in as well.

Andy Bathgate is featured by David Goricki in The Detroit News:

Plymouth— If the name Andy Bathgate rings a bell, it should.

But this Andy Bathgate still is playing hockey — for the Plymouth Whalers.

And he's making a name for himself, just like his grandfather, Hall of Famer Andy Bathgate, did during his NHL career that spanned 17 seasons and four teams, including the Red Wings.

"My grandpa taught me all the little things (about hockey)," said Bathgate, 20, in his fifth season in the Ontario Hockey League. "He was a power right winger who could shoot the puck harder than anyone in his day."

See the rest of the story.

Fresh Audio: Whalers defenseman Colin MacDonald is interviewed in the latest Plymouth Whalers Weekly", heard Tuesday and Friday from 5:45-6pm on The New 88.1FM WSDP.