PROSPECT WATCH: DANNY KRISTO

DANNY KRISTO - RW
Omaha Lancers (USHL)
Drafted: 2008 2nd Round (51st) by Thunder Bay
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 172 lbs
Birthdate: June 18, 1990 (18 years old)
Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Next Year: Committed to the University of North Dakota

Danny Kristo was drafted this past summer by the Timberwolves after two successful seasons with the US Development Team out of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Minnesota native thoroughly impressed the Timberwolves management due to the many aspects of his game that mirror the image of their hockey club.

"Danny brings so much to the table to be successful in this league and with this club," said Timberwolves Owner/General Manager, Blake Wendt. "He's brought the level of his game up as he's progressed and advanced and not only has matched that of his teammates and opposition. But has also been able to be one of the best players on the ice on a nightly basis."

Kristo is currently in his first year in the United States Hockey League, and playing for one of the best organizations, historically, with the Omaha Lancers. He is on a point per game status with six goals, eleven assists for seventeen points through seventeen games.

He won't be scoring for the Lancers for next couple of weeks though, as Kristo was selected for Team USA at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa. The tournament will go from December 26th to January 5th, and pit the best players under the age of twenty from ten countries against one another.

"It's a wonderful tournament from a scouting perspective," said Wendt. "We have several players from our system participating and several more we are closely watching for the 2009 Draft. It's not always the goals and saves we're looking for. Of course you take those into account when analysing players. But it's the little details in a players game that sets scouts apart. What's the player doing away from the puck? When he goes into the corners, does he come out with the puck? Does he normally take hits or give them? Does he go out of his way to initiate contact? Toughness is a big part of this game. You don't have to be a meathead and wrecking ball out there. But at this age and at this level... if you can be knocked off the puck and your opponent can keep the puck and take it from you with their physical play. It doesn't matter your skill level is. You won't have the puck to show anyone that."

Despite his somewhat smallish stature, Kristo brings that grit that his general manager looks for.

"You have to have that toughness to play for the US Development Team. They play a pretty demanding schedule with lots of travel against older, stronger and more experienced players. To succeed with this team, you have to be a special player. Danny was amongst the point leaders in each of the two seasons in Ann Arbor. He did that with his great skating and quickness and high tempo game he brings every night. It's easy to carry the puck, it takes a gritty, hard-nosed, shifty player to hang onto it and do something with it. Danny not only keeps it, he pursues it and wants it on his stick all the time."

Other players from the Timberwolves playing at the 2009 World Junior Championships:
United States: Kristo, Aaron Palushaj (Michigan), Ian Cole (Notre Dame), Cade Fairchild (Minnesota)
Canada: Alex Pietrangelo (OHL Niagara)
Germany: Denis Reul (QMJHL Lewiston)
Sweden: Oscar Moller (Duluth Pups)

Next 'Prospect Watch': Defenseman, Chris Summers from the University of Michigan

STREAK ENDS IN CUBA

The Humidor (Havana)-
--The four-game winning streak for the Thunder Bay Timberwolves came to an end after a 2-1 loss to the Havana Moon on Friday night.
--Patrick Sharp opened the scoring in the first for his team leading sixteenth goal of the season. Sharp took his own blocked shot from Havana's Marc Staal and broke away alone, beating Martin Biron with a sniper's goal over the tenders glove under the crossbar at 00:32.
--Thunder Bay went onto outshooting Havana 13-5 in the first, but were unable to capitalize again after Sharp's tally.
--The second period was a complete 180 of sorts. The Moon shutdown the Timberwolves and outshot the visitors 14-4 in the middle period. Michal Nylander would capitalize for Castro's club at 16:42. Tying things up at 1-1 going into the second intermission.
--"We didn't go into the second with the same intensity we carried throughout the third," said Timberwolves captain, Keith Ballard. "I think the effort was their for us. But credit Havana for turning their game around and taking it to us. The second period was theirs to take, and without Nitty (Antero Niittymaki) standing on his head for us, we wouldn't stand a chance."
--The third period saw both clubs figuring each other out and playing more evenly. But at 10:52, Trevor Daley netted his first of the season from Eric Staal and Alex Ovechkin. The Timberwolves tried, but could not come back and lost to Havana 2-1.
--"A loss is a loss and it doesn't help you in the standings," said a matter-of-fact Timberwolves head coach, Craig Hartsburg. "But if you look at the entire game and not just the score, we matched up well with them. Special teams weren't a factor. Shots were pretty close, and as was total time of possession. Both goalies were good when they had to be. For our players, they all did what they needed to do and weren't caught out of position very often. Mistakes were made obviously, but the game-winner on Niittymaki was a flukey shot that hit alot of bodies and was just a lucky goal. We'll take the good things from this game and build on them, and take a look at our mistakes and try to work on them and limit them in the future."
--The Timberwolves left immidiately after their game with the Moon back to Thunder Bay for some rare home cooking in the middle of a long road trip. They have the next two days off before their next game on Monday in Quebec.
--"It'll be good for everyone to go home for a couple days and relax and be with friends and family," said GM Blake Wendt. "I think this time away from the rink will be a benefit." The Timberwolves players knew they had Saturday off. Mostly due to travel from Havana to Thunder Bay. But it wasn't until they got on the plane home that they found out that they had Sunday off also.

3 STARS (THU/HAV)...
*Trevor Daley (HAV) - Game-winning goal and assist
**Alex Ovechkin (HAV) - 2 assists
***Martin Biron (HAV) - 25 saves and 1 goal against in win

WOLVES NAB BLUECHIP, WIN 4TH IN ROW

ThunderDome (Niagara Falls)- The Thunder Bay Timberwolves arrived in Niagara Falls riding a three-game winning streak and adding a former first rounder to their roster from the previous night.

--The Timberwolves landed in Toronto on Wednesday afternoon after a skip across the pond from Sweden, where they won their third game in a row against the Wisborg Donuts. While in-flight, general manager, Blake Wendt pulled off an amazing coup of sorts when he was able to acquire 2006 first overall draft pick, Erik Johnson (pictured) from the Southwest Scorpions.

--Thunder Bay sent Nick Schultz and prospects Andreas Nodl and Kevin Porter to Soutwest for Johnson and prospect defenseman, Matt Corrente. Corrente was immediately sent down to Duluth.

--Johnson, in his rookie season is joining his third hockey club in a month. He was traded from Dayton to Southwest on December 5th. That alone might lead some to wonder "what's wrong with this kid?" Not something that worries the Timberwolves at all.

--"I can't imagine that Erik will moving any time in the near future," said Wendt. "We've coveted him since his U.S. under-18 and NCAA years. We made more than one offer to Dayton when they had him. We made an offer to the Scorpions almost immediately after they acquired him. He is everything in a defenseman that we want. He's huge (6-4, 225 lbs), he skates very well for a big man. He plays with poise beyond his years. Head is up with or without the puck. Plus he has a mean streak and will crush you open ice or in the boards. Erik Johnson is an all around defenseman that excels in all aspects of his game. He will be in Thunder Bay for a very long time."

--The former Minnesota Golden Gopher, Johnson was in the lineup for the Timberwolves in Niagara Falls against the Thunder on Thursday night.

--Wearing number 4, Johnson opened up the scoring in the game at 16:32 in the first. Thunder Bay would go on to score four more goals before Niagara Falls ended Josh Harding's shutout bid at 18:43 in the third. The Thunder goal was scored on Antero Niittymaki, who was in due to an injury to Harding. Per the team it is a "lower body injury".

--"Josh was hurt in his last start with the same thing," said head coach Craig Hartsburg. "We thought we had it resolved, but I guess not. He had showed no signs of anything lingering the last few days in practice and he didn't show anything in the warm-up. It's a minor thing and we'll get it taken care of and he'll be back."

--Karri Ramo was recalled from Duluth and was able to make it to the team plane in Toronto before they left for Havana, Cuba for their Saturday contest against the Moon.

--Even while boarding the plane at 2 am, Wendt couldn't stop gleaming about his recent acquisition. And not just about Erik Johnson

--"To get a cornerstone defenseman like Johnson on our roster is amazing," said Wendt. "But honestly, Matt Corrente is what put this deal over the top for us. We seen alot of him last season at Niagara (IceDogs, OHL) when we were specifically looking at Alex Pietrangelo. Like Johnson, we made offers last season for Matt's rights. He caught our eye and we enjoy the game he brings to the table. He's abrasive and hits like a freight train. He's similar to Dion Phaneuf in that he's physical and in your face, but also skates very well and carries the puck with poise and control. He can easily be the best player on the ice in any game. All the skills are there, they just need some polishing and refining. But we think he makes us better."

--Timberwolves fans will have to wait until after Christmas to see their new bluechip defenseman in person. Thunder Bay doesn't play at home until next Saturday against Reykjavik.

3 STARS vs NIA...

*Patrick Sharp (THU) - Goal and two assists

**Josh Harding (THU) - Zero goals against off twenty-six shots in forty-nine minutes before injury

***David Perron (THU) - Game-winner at 18:40 in first period

WOLVES PICK APART 'JUSTIZ

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay)-
The Thunder Bay TImberwolves entered their Friday night contest at home with some changes in lineup against the Lahr Lynchjustiz.

While in Copenhagen, the Timberwolves traded Stephane Veilleux to the Springfield Homers for a second and fifth round draft picks in 2009.

Prior to their morning skate on Friday another move was made.

Veteren forward, Brendan Shanahan (pictured) was acquired from the North Dakota Ibex along with the Ibex's second and third picks in 2009. Thunder Bay also recieved their fifth round pick back (traded in offseason for Tyler Eckford). All for just taking Shanahan and his three year, $4.5 million dollar contract from the cash-strapped Ibex.

"We're not in the greatest if financial situtation either," said Timberwolves GM, Blake Wendt. "But our player payroll is one of the lowest in the league. Some might argue that Shanny's contract is an ugly one. Especially at his age and that he may retire after this CCHL season. While I don't disagree with the risk in eating much of his contract, we felt that the package of draft picks coming back were well worth the risk. This looks to be a comparable, if not better draft class, and just as deep. If Brendan does return and is a productive player through his contract, it's all bonus for us. His leadership and big game experience will be a valuable asset for sure for this season."

With Shanahan in the lineup, the Timberwolves also went with a rookie goaltender in Karri Ramo in net. Ramo was called up from Duluth in the morning due to Josh Harding's injury.

"Ramo had a great training camp and was one of our last cuts to start the season," said head coach, Craig Hartsburg. "He took what he got out of our camp and is playing great down in Duluth. We felt that he would be better off getting some game action right away instead of just sitting on the bench."

The game started off with three unanswered goals for the Timberwolves. The first two from Patrick Sharp and the third from their captain Keith Ballard. Alexei Kovalev brought Lahr back with within one, and the second period ended with Thunder Bay up 3-1.

In the third, the Timberwolves would add three before Lahr would score once more. Final score was 6-2 Thunder Bay. The most goals scored this season by the Timberwolves and the first career CCHL victory for Ramo.

3 STARS
#1 Patrick Sharp (THU) - 2 goals and 2 assists
#2 Karri Ramo (THU) - 23 saves and 2 goals against in first CCHL win
#3 Sergei Kostitsyn (THU) - 1 goal and 2 assists

Thunder Bay takes on the Ferrets in Winnipeg tonight.

VEILLEUX TRADED FOR PICKS

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay)-
Coming off their 2-1 loss to Copenhagen yesterday evening, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves stayed the night in Denmark and were preparing to board their plane back to Canada. Not everyone though.

This morning Stephane Veilleux was traded to Springfield for the Denver's 2nd round and Springfield's 5th round picks in the 2009 Entry Draft. The official announcement did not come until the team was at the airport.

In a strange coincidence, Springfield was on their way to Europe to play Wisborg tomorrow. Veilleux said his goodbyes and watched his now former teammates take off for Toronto. He then took what little luggage he brought with him for the two-night stay and boarded a ferry to cross the strait of Oresund to meet his new team coming to Sweden.

"The deal itself happened pretty quick," said Timberwolves GM Blake Wendt, who was traveling with his team. "Springfield inquired about Veilleux, made an offer. We countered, they accepted and the league office was notified of the transaction. Maybe an hour tops while on our way to the airport."

Wendt said that Veilleux was aware he was involved in talks the entire time.

"Stephane knew the whole way to the airport. I asked him if he wanted to stay in Europe for another night. He laughed, and I said I was serious. He's going to be a solid player for them. He's not someone I would've traded for nothing. Two picks in another deep draft was something we couldn't pass on. In a couple years, or a different draft I wouldn't make this trade. I personally would like to thank Stephane for services to the Timberwolves. He did everything that was asked of him, and was a leader on and off the ice. He will me missed and I wish him the best of luck."

Thunder Bay acquired Veilleux via free agency last season.

NITTY STOPS 44 IN LOSS

Copenhagen, Denmark-
After a twelve hour flight that took them from Calgary-to-Toronto-to-Copenhagen, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves arrived in Denmark late morning Tuesday for their game against the Crusaders the next day.

Still adjusting to the time change and long flight, the Timberwolves looked weary in the opening period of their game against the Crusaders.

Through ten minutes in the game, Thunder Bay's Josh Harding faced fourteen shots. Eventually Copenhagen would tally one after Chris Kelly crashed the net and the puck slid through Harding. More than the goal though was the health of the Timberwolves netminder. Harding appeared to take a knee to the head on the play and struggled to get up. After an assessment from the trainer, it was decided to bring in Antero Niittymaki to finish the game.

Thunder Bay was able to limit the shots allowed on Niittymaki to close out the third. The Finnish tender stopped all seven that he seen. Shots were 22-5 in favour of Copenhagen in the first period.

The second period seen the same onslaught of shots from the Crusaders. Through fifteen minutes, Niittymaki made twenty saves on twenty shots. Compared to Copenhagen's Marc Denis seeing five.

With thirty-six seconds left on Copenhagen rookie Patrick Kane's minor, Thunder Bay's own Patrick scored to tie things up. Sharp's eighth goal of the season came from rookies Sergei Kostitsyn and Matt Niskanen.

Niittymaki kept his club in the game through the second period. Eventually stopping all of Copenhagen's twenty-three shots. Compared to Thunder Bay's five.

In the third the Crusaders would put the Timberwolves away when Rostislav Olesz scored at 14:47.

Thunder Bay lost 2-1, were out shot 13-60 and lost one of their goalies for presumably the next two games due to injury.

"The second period was by far our best," said Timberwolves coach Craig Hartsburg. "Nitty kept us in it. Without solid goaltending tonight, this is a complete blowout. Our D did a nice job of clearing lanes and letting our goalies see the shots. But way too many shots and opportunities for Copenhagen. The neutral zone is where we're getting killed. We're letting them skate through that zone unabated and no one is stepping up on the blueline to make them work. We were tired and looked tired. But that's no excuse. It's my job as the coach to prepare our players mentally for the game. It's their jobs physically to get it done. We have to start taking it to our opponents to be successful. I'm confident we can."

Thunder Bay's next game is Saturday at home against the Lahr Lynchjustiz. Antero Niittymaki will likely get the start as Josh Harding will be unavailable due to his injury. It's unknown whether the Timberwolves will call-up Karri Ramo from Duluth or try and pick up a "loaner" until Harding returns.

"It's a long season," said GM Blake Wendt. "If Harding was hurt for a long time, then we'd probably look around and let Ramo develop in Duluth. The problem is that no matter if we send him back down. Which we will when Harding returns. Is that he counts against our roster limits. Not a big deal since we have room right now. But if the injury bug hits us hard and we have to go out and bring in loaner-type players. Then we have to cut guys with guaranteed contracts. Every team deals with this throughout the season though."

In other news, Thunder Bay signed free-agent forward, B.J. Crombeen to a two-year, $550,000 contract. The 6'-2", 200 pound twenty-three year old, Denver native was immediately assigned to Duluth.

"Crombeen brings alot to the table that we like," said Wendt. "He's hard nosed, tough and skates very well. He's raw in alot of areas, but he's young and coachable."

Crombeen spent four years in the OHL with the Barrie Colts. He was teammates with Bryan Little there and will be again in Duluth.

3 STARS
#1 Rostislav Olesz (COP) - Game-winning goal
#2 Antero Niittymaki (THU) - 44 saves in a relief loss
#3 Patrick Sharp (THU) - Game-tying goal in second

WOLVES HOWL LOST IN CHINOOK WINDS

Calgary, AB- Coming off two consecutive wins, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves traveled west to Alberta to take on the Calgary Chinook and their rookie goaltender.

For the first ten minutes in the game both clubs battled but remained scoreless. At 8:56 Thunder Bay's Quintin Laing took an ill-advised hooking penalty. Giving Calgary an edge with the man advantage.

Swedish sniper, Kristian Huselius took a feed from Patrice Brisebois and backhanded a shot between the legs of a stretched out Antero Niittymaki.

The Timberwolves would not come back like in previous games this season. The Chinook would add two more goals in the third and shutdown the limited shots taken by Thunder Bay. The shots ended 40-17 in favour of Calgary.

Calgary's rookie goalie, Carey Price recorded his second career CCHL shutout in eight total games.

"Price is a very good goalie," said Thunder Bay's Patrick Sharp. "We didn't make him work too hard tonight, but you can see his poise and control when we were able to get some shots on him. Doesn't play like this is his first pro season."

The Timberwolves have Tuesday off from the ice, but will be flying out of Calgary to Toronto in the morning. After some fuel they will continue onto Denmark for their first game over the Atlantic against the Copenhagen Crusaders on Wednesday.

NCAA PROSPECTS GET A LOOK

Mariucci Arena (Minneapolis, MN)- With two weekend days off from games, two of the Timberwolves top amateur scouts and the general manager made a trek to the States to get a firsthand look at some of their U.S college prospects.

-Chief Amateur Scout, Tony Hrkac traveled solo to Grand Forks, North Dakota to watch Colin Greening's Cornell Big Red take on David Toews' and Ben Blood's North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

-General Manager, Blake Wendt and Amateur Scout, Norm Maciver headed to Minneapolis for the 'College Hockey Showcase' at Mariucci Arena. Featuring the hometown Minnesota Golden Gophers, their WCHA-rival Wisconsin Badgers, and the CCHA's Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans.

-"It's no secret we heavily scout the NCAA ranks," said Wendt. "With twelve of the eighteen active players playing between these two towns this weekend. These were trips we basically had to make."

-In Grand Forks, Cornell came to town with a red-hot junior goaltender and their captain, Colin Greening leading their team in points.

-NoDak freshmen, David Toews and Ben Blood are still trying to earn their ice time on a struggling Sioux team. Toews has two assists in nine games and Blood doesn't have a point in twelve games.

-"The last time we seen these guys was in June at our Prospect Camp," said Hrkac. "Greening had the leadership qualities and skill to get noticed then. Toews ('08 draftee) was someone we watched alot of last year at Shattuck St Mary's and in camp. He shows flashes of the Toews genes (younger brother of Jonathan), but is still rough around the edges. Blood ('07 draftee) is a man-child. He's huge and still growing. We're not concerned about his lack of points right now. It's not his game. We came here to see if he can keep pace with bigger, stronger and faster players as opposed to what he was used to in the USHL last year. Like David, Ben's still got a lot of work. But we're completely comfortable with them developing in a program like North Dakota." Hrkac was a Hobey Baker winner (top US college hockey player) for North Dakota in 1987.

-UND won 7-3 on Friday. Cornell won 2-1 on Saturday. Greening was the only Timberwolves prospect with a point. Scoring a goal on Friday and the game-winner on Saturday.

-In Minneapolis, on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Wendt and Maciver were set to watch ten of their prospects from the four schools at the tournament. While also eyeing possible future draft picks.

-"This is a great tournament," said Maciver. "All four of these schools are renowned for their history and championships and the players that come through their ranks and go onto stellar pro careers. To have all four under one roof in two nights is outstanding from a scouting perspective. Plus with the economy the way it is, this is a bargain."

-Gophers and Thunder Bay prospects, Cade Fairchild ('07 draftee), Jay Barriball and Aaron Ness ('08 draftee) all had assists in a shocking 6-3 defeat for #1 ranked Minnesota to Michigan. Aaron Palushaj and Chris Summers each had an assist in the Wolverines win on Friday.

-Fairchild and Ness added an assist each on Saturday in a 4-4 tie with Michigan State. Forward prospect, Pat White ('07 draftee) scored a goal.

-Also on Saturday, Michigan was shutout in the first place game against Wisconsin. Derek Stepan ('08 draftee) had an assist in the game.

-Other prospects picking up points with their respective NCAA team:

-Patrick Weircioch (Denver), goal and assist in 6-1 win vs Colgate

-Ryan Thang (Notre Dame), goal in 3-3 tie vs Western Michigan

WOLVES BOLSTER BLUELINE

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay)- The Thunder Bay Timberwolves have updated their defense with the acquisition of defenseman, Nick Schultz from the Hawaii Sandblasters for winger, Loui Eriksson.

-The twenty-six year old, Strasbourg, Saskatchewan native is expected to be with the team in Hamilton on Friday.

-"We identified a need for another defenseman in in Training Camp," said GM Blake Wendt. "The guys we had before this deal are more than capable of carrying this club for years to come. But I never felt comfortable with only a couple guys with experience at this level. Schultz is still young and will very much be apart of our future. But at the same time, he brings that experience. He plays a game that alot of our prospects play. He plays with poise and heart. His puck moving, skating and speed definitely opens up our game from the back end. His defensive game is solid. He's got the speed to stay with the oppositions elite. He's got the size to match the power forwards and clear his goalies crease. All in all, we're excited to bring Nick Schultz to this hockey club. We wish all the best for Loui. He played a very important role for us and will be missed. We felt though, that with the forward talent coming up in the next few years, and the need for a defenseman now. This was a move we had to make."

-Schultz will be wearing #7 for the Timberwolves. The #55 he wore in Hawaii is not available in Thunder Bay. As a team mandate, starting player can only have a number between 1 and 35.

-Not yet confirmed, but it is believed that Niklas Grossman is the odd-man out with Schultz in the lineup. The Swedish rookie will probably be demoted to the practice squad initially and then eventually sent down to the Duluth Pups.

WOLVES COMEBACK, COME UP SHORT

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay)- Coming off a come from behind opener on Monday night, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves came into Wednesday nights contest to prove they were no one hit wonder.
-In an almost identical game from Monday, the Timberwolves kept pace with the Quebec Remparts through two periods. The Remparts with the 1-0 advantage on the scoreboard though going into the third.
-Having only scored in the third period in their previous game (and winning), Thunder Bay looked to repeat themselves. Loui Eriksson opened up the scoring for the Timberwolves at 3:49 into the third.
-Quebec's Radim Vrbata took the lead back at 11:32. A goal that should have took some wind out of Thunder Bay's sails.
-It did until 18:43, when Patrick Sharp (pictured) deked around two Rempart defenders to tie things back up.
-"We had the momentum, and we all felt we could pull out another win," said Sharp. "The place was nuts, and we thought for sure we could make it happen."
-With twelve seconds remaining, Quebec's Ray Whitney crushed all hope of a comeback. Thunder Bay took their first loss 3-2. Quebec remains unbeaten.
-"They were coming off a big win the other night (10-2 vs Hamilton) against a pretty good team," said TImberwolves GM Blake Wendt. "Obviously we're a young team and coming off our own win on Monday. Credit to our coaching staff and the players for staying level headed after that win, and coming into this game and keeping pace with a club that had just kicked the crap out of a team that some would argue is better than us. No one likes to lose, but on a positive note, we played a decent all around game."
-Thunder Bay was outshot 26-36. Face-offs and puck possession were fairly even. If there was one part of the Timberwolves game that desperately (can you be desperate after two games?) need to work on is their power play. They were 0-8.
-"I think there's things to be worked on," said Wendt. "But again, we're a very young club. Our rookies are trying to find their niche. Nisky (Matt Niskanen) took more shots and showed more poise. (Torrey) Mitchell didn't repeat his 2-point performance from the opener, but he took shots and initiated hits. They'll all come around. They wouldn't be up here if we didn't think they were ready."
-The Timberwolves play again on Friday in Hamilton. The Predators came back from their embarrassing loss to Quebec on Monday to beat Niagara Falls last night 4-1.
-3 STARS...
#1 Ray Whitney (QUE) - Game-winning goal & assist
#2 Patrick Sharp (THU) - Game-tying goal & assist
#3 Chris Osgood (QUE) - 24 saves, 2 goals against in win

WOLVES 2-0 IN OPENERS

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay)- The Thunder Bay Timberwolves opened up their regular season on Monday night in front of 19,434 at the Canadian National Gardens against the Niagara Falls Thunder.
-After a long summer and what seemed like a longer player introduction, the Timberwolves were eager to erase memories of their nine wins from last season.
-Things did not start off great, as the Thunder scored the first and only goal of the first period. It remained 1-0 Thunder through the first two periods.
-"We played pretty tight through forty minutes," said Thunder Bay head coach, Craig Hartsburg. "They're a physical team and the hits were there. But only holding a one goal lead, they seemed to back off a little bit with initiating the checks and focused more on plugging up the neutral zone."
-Niagara would double their lead three minutes into the third. But the Timberwolves finally answered with a rare shorthanded goal from one of their defensemen.
-Rookie, Torrey Mitchell (pictured) intercepted a Thunder pass and took the puck to the red line where he made a slick pass to Quintin Laing. Laing in turn fed a rushing Tom Preissing, who beat a diving Manny Legace. Mitchell's assist was his first CCHL point.
-Less than five minutes later, Thunder Bay's Loui Eriksson evened things out with a power play tally from Patrick Sharp and Keith Ballard.
-At 17:53, Thunder Bay native, Sharp scored the game winning goal in front of a rabid crowd.
-"To come back in the third and take this game was what we need to build on as a team," said Sharp. "As one of the new guys here, it was amazing how loud this crowd gets. I remember coming here with Wisborg last season and just being in awe at the passion. It's great to be here and home."
-Quintin Laing adding the icing to the cake with his empty netter to close out a 4-2 win for the Timberwolves. Their second Opening Night win in their two-year existence.
-"It's always nice to win that first one out of the gate," said Hartsburg. "But we won this one last year and only won eight more the rest of the season. We have to stay even keeled and focused every night."
-The Timberwolves had Tuesday night off, but play again tonight against the Quebec Remparts. The Remparts are coming to Thunder Bay with the same one days rest and a 10-2 thumping of the Hamilton Predators on Monday night.
-"They're explosive and dangerous," said captain, Keith Ballard. "Hamilton's a pretty good team, and whether they were prepared or not. Letting ten goals in is more than being unprepared. The Remparts simply outplayed them and embarrassed the Preds."
-Former Timberwolf, Dustin Byfuglien scored two goals for the Remparts in that game.
-"It looks like Buff (Byfuglien) is getting the minutes there that he couldn't get here," said Ballard. "He's obviously taking advantage of that, and our job tonight will be to try and limit his and their chances."
-3 STARS from Monday's game...
#1: Patrick Sharp (THU) - GWG & Assist
#2: Torrey Mitchell (THU) - 2 assists (1st CCHL points)
#3: Antero Niittymaki (THU) - 30 saves; THU was outshot 32-19

WARM-UP OVER... LET'S PLAY HOCKEY!

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay)- In their fifth and final pre-season game, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves looked good against an explosive Havana Moon club.
-Through the first period though, Havana looked to dominate with goals already from Jaromir Jagr and Alex Ovechkin and a third from Kris Beech.
-"We never backed down," said Timberwoves captain, Keith Ballard. "This team has some resiliency and heart, and it's going to be tough this season to keep us from having our heads high and attitudes up."
-At 12:15 of the second period, Thunder Bay native Patrick Sharp (pictured) opened up the scoring for the Timberwolves. His goal woke up the sold-out CN Gardens.
-"It was electric in this place," said Sharp. We were still down two goals, but they didn't care. Maybe they knew something."
-The fans must have. Because with four seconds left in the second, and shorthanded, Sharp took a feed from Loui Eriksson and beat Martin Biron five-hole.
-"To score that late in a period and feed off of it during the intermission is huge," said Sharp.
-Momentum was clearly in the Timberwolves' favour when the final period opened. Still down a goal, that didn't stop Thunder Bay or their rabid fans from pushing on.
-At 10:33, fourth-line grinder Tom Kostopoulos tied it all up with a breakaway goal.
-With less than three minutes remaining in the game, Dean McAmmond netted his first of the pre-season to win it for the Timberwolves.
-"Pre-season or not. This was a very big game for us," said Ballard. "We showed what we know we are capable of. Down 3-0 to a team like this. With all their skill and offense. And to come back and score four straight and win in regulation. Very big for us. A great way to finish out the pre-season and ready ourselves for the games that matter."
-Thunder Bay finishes the pre-season with a 3-1-1 record. Sharp led the way with four goals and two assists. Tom Preissing led the D with two goals and an assist. Josh Harding played the first three games, going 2-1-0 with a .867 save percentage and 4.33 GAA. Antero Niittymaki played the last two games, going 1-0-1 with a .935 save percentage and 1.92 GAA.
-"The lineup we had against Havana probably won't change much for Opening Night," said head coach Craig Hartsburg. "Might be a flip of the coin with who's in net though. Harding got lit up against Dayton, but otherwise looked good against Niagara and Denver. Nitty only allowed one goal against River Cities, and looked great against Havana. So I'm sure they'll rotate throughout the season unless one takes over and vastly out plays the other."
-The Timberwolves open up their 2008-09 season at home tonight against their divisional rival, Niagara Falls Thunder.

DAYTON DOMINATES PACK

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay)- What a difference a night makes. After beating the defending CCHL Champion, Spurs in a come-from-behind victory in front of their home crowd. The Thunder Bay Timberwolves played a dud of a contest against the 2006-07 Champion, Dayton Musicmen.
-It took thirteen seconds for the Musicmen to bring the Timberwolves back to earth with a nifty goal from Milan Michalek.
-At 1:22 in the first, it became quite apparent that Dayton was in Thunder Bay to polish up on their goal-scoring abilities when Marian Gaborik went 1-on-1 with Josh Harding. Beating the tender five-hole.
-Seventeen seconds and a Sergei Gonchar lamp lighter later, it became even more apparent that the Timberwolves were not prepared for their opponent. Mats Sundin put the kids of the Lakehead to bed. Making it 4-0 within the first eight minutes of the game.
-Determined not to be shutout in the period though, Radek Dvorak scored a fluke, weak goal over the shoulder of Dayton's Craig Anderson.
-At the 11:34 mark of the first, Dayton's Milan Hejduk wanted to see if his club could also score shorthanded. Taking a hooking penalty in the neutral zone. They would not, and Thunder Bay's defenseman Tom Preissing scored from the right circle off a quick snap shot, beating Anderson just under his glove.
-The second period was far from interesting from a fans perspective. The Timberwolves played a cautious game. Not venturing too deep with the puck and plugging up the neutral zone to keep the game within reach.
-That plan worked for most of the second. But Dayton did finally break through with just over two minutes to go off another Michalek goal.
-While being outskated for most of the game. The Timberwolves came into the third, initially being able to stay with their superior opponent. That was until someone forgot Milan Hejduk needed to be covered. The Czech took an un-contested breakaway, beating Harding after what seemed like a couple dozen dekes.
-Dayton would end up scoring two more to finish the game with eight to Thunder Bay's two.
-"Not a good game for us obviously," said Thunder Bay head coach, Craig Hartsburg. "Highs were too high, and lows too low. We weren't out of it in the first. Cutting their lead in half was big for us going into the first intermission. We matched their intensity in the second, but couldn't chip in any to make the score closer. Eventually we had a lapse and they made us pay. The third period we just couldn't hang with them. We did for a little bit, but they out worked us and we simply couldn't catch them on the scoreboard and our defense cracked towards the end."
-In other team news, defenseman-turned-forward, Dustin Byfuglien was traded to the Quebec Remparts with prospect goalie Thomas Greiss for prospect forward James Neal and prospect goalie Brian Elliott. Byfuglien had been a healthy scratch in the Timberwolves' two previous pre-season games.
-"We didn't trade Buff (Byfuglien) because we lost faith in him," said GM Blake Wendt. "We were having issues getting him in the lineup because of depth on the wings. He played all summer on the wing and we felt that that was where he needed to be to be the most effective in this league. As opposed to defense. I think he'll have a better opportunity in Quebec and we wish him the best of luck. We're very happy about the players we've acquired though. Neal is the complete package in our opinion. He's big and only getting bigger. Plays a sound all-around game, nice hands and wheels and an excellent work ethic. Elliott is someone we've pursued for awhile now. He had an outstanding collegiate career at Wisconsin. He's got very good size, agility and positions himself well. We see him as someone that will fight for a starters job here in the near future."

WOLVES HOWL LOUDER THAN THUNDER

THUNDER DOME (Niagara Falls, ON, Canada)- For the Thunder Bay Timberwolves, this pre-season game against their divisional rival couldn't come soon enough.
-"It's been a long summer," said captain, Keith Ballard. "A lot of time to think about last season, and work to improve for this season."
-The Timberwolves won a league low nine games in their inaugural season last year. Their position in the league was not a surprise to anyone in the CCHL. The number of wins though did not sit well with Thunder Bay managment, fans and returning players.
-"It's an embarrassment," said Ballard. "We weren't expecting to be one of the better teams. We started off focused and poised. But for whatever reason we lost that and were completely dominated too often.
-With five rookies and only a handful of returnees in their lineup. The Timberwolves arrived in Niagara Falls with a youthful jump and a fresh start.
-Like years past, the penalty-prone Thunder took all of sixteen seconds to put themselves a man down when Jonathan Toews took a minor. The Timberwolves would not capitalize, but the tone of the game was set.
-One of Thunder Bay's newest acquisitions, Kyle Brodziak took a feed from Ballard and Dean McAmmond and buried it behind Jason LaBarbera at just over the five minute mark of the game.
-Niagara Falls would even things up when German speedster, Marco Sturm beat the 'wrong handed', Josh Harding three minutes after Brodziak's tally.
-The first period ended without anymore goals. But did introduce the Timberwolves to the Thunder's pesky, Steve Downie. Downie spent seven minutes of the first in the penalty box. Five for his first CCHL fight against Bryce Salvador and a two minute slash.
-"He's there to push your buttons," said Timberwolves forward, Patrick Sharp. "He makes himself known out there. Our job is to not feed into him and do our own thing.
-The second period did not lose any of the games nastiness, when Niagara's goaltender became frazzled with too many Wolves in his crease. He took liberties with these trespassers and drew a two-minute minor.
-Patrick Sharp would put his team back on top with a power play goal one minute into their advantage.
-Thunder Bay grinder, Stephane Veilleux made it 3-1, but Marco Sturm brought Niagara Falls back to within one to finish out the second period.
-Almost on que, the Thunder couldn't go two minutes into a period without being shorthanded. And just like the start of the second period, Patrick Sharp made the opposition pay with his second powerplay goal of the game.
-Once again though, Marco Sturm brought his team back to within one by completing the hattrick in front of the Thunder faithful.
-"The place just went nuts for a while," said Timberwolves goalie Josh Harding. "The ice was definitely tilted in their favour after that goal. But we showed poise and didn't get caught up in the madness."
-Thunder Bay survived and hushed the crowd when Kyle Brodziak scored his second of the game with less than four minutes to play.
-The game concluded with a 5-3 Thunder Bay victory.
-"It was a good start, but we still need alot of work," said Timberwolves head coach, Craig Hartsburg. "Our rookies were timid. Not one of them took a shot. But none of them were also a minus. So they didn't hurt us out there. Hardy played very good for us. We were outshot in every period, and he kept us in the game." Hartsburg did not say if Harding would get the next pre-season game or not. It is expected that Thunder Bay will rotate between Harding and Niittymaki throughout the season. With Finnish youngster, Karri Ramo maybe getting a couple games.
THREE STARS:
1: Marco Sturm (NIA) 3 goals off of 13 shots
2: Patrick Sharp (THU) 2 PP goals and an assist
3: Josh Harding (THU) 30 saves

ROSTER READY FOR PRE-SEASON

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay)- For some CCHL teams, the annual Waiver Draft is just another bump in road while awaiting the start of the season. Rarely are there impact players available to help ones hockey club. Most are picked up to fill in roster spots for cheap.
-Due to their nine wins from last season (last place), the Thunder Bay Timberwolves chose Alberta-native, Kyle Brodziak with the first pick.
-"Brodziak gives us some much needed depth up front," said Timberwolves GM Blake Wendt. "He'll be given every opportunity to earn a full-time spot. But it will be a battle for ice time on our lower lines. We like what he brings to the table though. Still rough around the edges. We'll work with him on his skating. But he's a smart player with and without the puck and a very industrious player."
-With their second and final pick, the Wolves added Quintin Laing to the mix. The twenty-nine year old journeyman brings with him a wealth of knowledge and a sound defensive game.
-"Like Brodziak, Laing will have a strong chance of earning either a solid fourth line spot or be one of a handful of players we'll rotate game in and game out for those minutes. He (Laing) probably has the edge due to experience and a pretty good defensive game."
-Hours before the Waiver Draft, the Timberwolves made a trade with the Dayton Musicmen.
-Centre, Joe Pavelski and prospect Alex Goligoski were sent to Ohio with Thunder Bay's third round draft pick next season. In return, the Timberwolves landed prospects Aaron Palushaj, Ian Cole, Patrick Weircioch, Trevor Cann and Dayton's third round pick next season.
-"It's tough to trade away very quality hockey players and men like Joe and Alex," said Wendt. "If we were in a different position as an organization, these two quality young men would not even be considered in trades. But do to these qualities, and our position. The players we got in return are also very high quality in quantity. Which is what we had to do for the greater future of our hockey club."
-Aaron Palushaj is a sophomore forward at the University of Michigan. He currently leads all NCAA players in points (12 GP 7g 13a 20 points). He is the teammate of fellow Timberwolves prospects, Mark Mitera and Chris Summers.
-Ian Cole is a sophomore defenseman at the University of Notre Dame. He currently is third on the Irish in points (11 GP 3g 6a 9 points) and leading the way for all their blueliners. He is the teammate of fellow Timerwolves prospect, Ryan Thang.
-Patrick Weircioch is a freshman defenseman at Denver University. He currently is fifth on the Pioneers in points (10 GP 5g 5a 10 points) and their highest scoring defenseman.
-Trevor Cann was recently traded in the OHL from the Peterborough Petes to the London Knights. Since joining the Knights, Cann is a perfect 5-0 with a 1.77 GAA and a .933 save %. He also has two shutouts in those five games (and one in ten games with the Petes).
-"With all due respect to Pavelski and Goligoski, we definitely feel we got the better end in this deal," said Wendt. "Time will tell. But we are very excited to land these players."

PUPS RE-ASSIGNED

DECC (Duluth, MN, USA)- The following players have be re-assigned by the Thunder Bay Timberwolves from their top minor league affiliate in Duluth:

--Johan Motin to Färjestad (Swedish Elite League)
--Alexander Sundstrom to Brynäs (Swedish Elite League)
--Johan Ryno to AIK (Sweden Allsvenskan)
--Rob Zepp to Berlin (Deutschland Elite League)
--***Andrei Taratukhin to Salavat Yulaev (Russian Continental Hockey League)
--***Yuri Trubachev to Severstal Cherepovets (Russian Continental Hockey League)
--***Player did not report to Duluth

WOLVES CUT 10 MORE

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay, ON, Canada)- The Thunder Bay Timberwolves reduced their Training Camp roster by ten players to thirty six. Leaving six to be cut before the start of the regular season to reach the league maximum thirty player roster.
-The following players were reassigned:
--Josh Godfrey to Duluth
--Alex Goligoski to Duluth
--Tyler Eckford to Duluth
--Jonas Ahnelov to Duluth
--Johan Motin to Duluth
--Scott Parse to Duluth
--Brandon Prust to Duluth
--Kevin Porter to Duluth
--Patrick Maroon to Duluth
--Marco Cousineau returned to QMJHL Baie-Comeau

WOLVES BITTER WITH RUSSIANS

Tim Hortons QuadPlex (Thunder Bay, ON, Canada)- The Thunder Bay Timberwolves made their first of three player cuts this weekend.
--The moves were made Sunday after the first six days of the team's Training Camp in Thunder Bay. A total of twelve players were re-assigned to either Duluth or back to the players junior team.
--Two players that were assigned to Duluth and chose not to report were Russians, Andrei Taratukhin and Denis Parshin. Both players packed their bags and left for the newly formed Continental Hockey League in Russia.
--"They're not under contract by us," said GM Blake Wendt. "We hold their rights in this league. But if they choose to go back to Russia, we really have no authority over that decision. We don't agree with it and quite honestly it leaves a bad taste in our mouths about players from over there in general."
--Taratukhin and Parshin are only two of three Russians that the Timberwolves hold rights to. The other being Yuri Trubachev (who was not invited to camp). Taratukhin is the only one that Wendt brought over himself in a trade with Wisborg last season. Parshin and Trubachev are holdovers from the former team in Hoboken.
--"Obviously if we thought or knew that Taratukhin had no intention of playing, or at least trying to earn a spot on our club. We would have never made a trade that included him. Live and learn I guess. We'll be very hesitant in the future about adding Russian players to our roster."
--The other players involved in Sunday's cuts included the following:
--Adam Comrie (OHLSaginaw)
--A.J. Jenks (OHL Plymouth)
--Denis Reul (QMJHL Lewiston)
--Antoine Lafleur (QMJHL PEI)
--Danny Syvret (Duluth)
--Mike Morris (Duluth)
--Jason Bailey (Duluth)
--Johan Ryno (Duluth)
--Alexander Sundstrom (Duluth)
--Rob Zepp (Duluth)

--The Timberwolves will cut another ten players next weekend to drop their roster to a more manageable 35 players for the third and final week of Training Camp. The final five players will be cut before the beginning of the regular season.

WOLF PACK IN FOR TRAINING

Tim Hortons QuadPlex (Thunder Bay, ON, Canada)- The Thunder Bay Timberwolves convened at the Lake Superior lakehead once again for the second annual Training Camp. This year in a more comfortable and convenient environment.
--The brand new, state of the art Tim Hortons QuadPlex was opened over that summer, and has already held the teams pre and post Entry Draft evaluation camps. The overall impression from players and staff was then and is now very positive.
--"It's always great to have all of our players in our system under one roof and not feel cramped," said GM Blake Wendt. "This building was designed specifically for this event."
--"You can't beat what is here and what we have access to," said forward Ryan Johnson. "Every detail seemed to have been thought of with the design."
--The building includes four sheets of ice. Each within it's own 'pod' being individually climate controlled. One sheet is specifically for use of the Timberwolves throughout the season and off season. With training facilities such as a weight room, a track and video conference rooms. The other three sheets have their own home/away and officials locker rooms and fan seating for community hockey games and public skating throughout the year. There is also a restaurant, sports bar, concessions, skate rental, ProShop and ticket office.
--Last year, the team used Fort Willam Gardens and Canadian National Gardens as the primary sites for the camp. A couple of other local rinks were also used at times.
--Timberwolves players arrived Sunday in Thunder Bay for their medical physicals and team meetings.
--Monday was the first ice time for the players. All fifty-seven of them.
--For this first day, players were divided by positions (Centres, Wingers, Defensemen, Goalies) and run through drills throughout all four sheets of ice that were open to the public.
--"This was the only day that the players will be divided like this," said head coach Craig Hartsburg. "Each position plays a different type of game, and we wanted to break things down and not let anyone get lost in shuffle with the number of players here. Tomorrow and throughout the next three weeks we will still divide the guys up. But only into three squads with three to four lines running more game type drills."
--Among the fifty-seven players at camp, there are nine from this summers Entry Draft. Forwards Kevin Porter, A.J. Jenks and Patrick Maroon. Defensemen Alex Pietrangelo, Mike Lundin, Johan Motin, Adam Comrie and Tyler Eckford and Goalie Marco Cousineau.
--Training Camp will continue for the next three weeks at the QuadPlex. With the exception of a couple to be determined scrimmages to be held at Canadian National Gardens. Every five-to-seven days there will be an undetermined amount of players who will be cut and either assigned to the Duluth Pups camp or back to their junior teams.