THUNDER BAY, ON, Canada- This being roughly the midway point of their inaugural season in the CCHL, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves sit dead last overall in the league. It does not appear that that current position will be much different at the end of the season.
All is not lost with this hockey club. This first season, yes. But there are young rookies like Joe Pavelski, Loui Eriksson, Bill Thomas, Patrick Thoresen and Alexander Edler (pictured) that are gaining some quality ice time and experience.
It also appears that next season may include more rookies making their CCHL debuts.
Currently having a spectacular season with the Timberwolves farm team in Duluth, Minnesota (Duluth Pups), defenseman Matt Niskanen is looking anything but his twenty one years of age. Niskanen, a Virginia, Minnesota native and former University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldog feels at home and comfortable with his surroundings at the DECC (Duluth Entertainment Convention Center). As well he should. Not only is it the home of the Pups, but it's also home to the UMD Bulldogs as well as area high school teams and advancement tournaments for Minnesota's famed high school hockey championships in St. Paul. All of which, Niskanen played apart in.
As well as Niskanen, fellow defenseman Niklas Grossman is making a name for himself in Duluth. Grossman may not be as flashy as "Nisky", but his shutdown abilities from the blueline in have made him a very valuable piece to the Wolves puzzle for next season.
Also hoping to make an impact in next season's training camps are Bryan Little, David Perron, Sergei Kostitsyn, Torrey Mitchell, Karri Ramo and Thomas Greiss.
The Timberwolves currently holds the most picks in the upcoming Entry Draft with fourteen. Possibly the first overall, but for sure two in the top fifteen. Management won't tip their hat to who they hope to get if they do indeed get the first overall pick. Wherever the club's first pick falls, it should be a very good one. As this draft appears to be one of the deeper ones in the past few years.
Having the lowest payroll in the CCHL would normally mean you have the money to spend on free agents in the offseason. But don't expect Thunder Bay to be a player for any high priced stars. "We have obvious needs that will be addressed," said the Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt."But we will be looking for role players to fill in gaps and give our young guys plenty of playing time. We'd like to become more defensively responsible and not get blown out in games like has happened too many times this season."
CURRENT INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES 2008 TOP 10:
1. Steven Stamkos (C)
2. Alex Pietrangelo (D)
3. Drew Doughty (D)
4. Nikita Filatov (LW)
5. Kyle Beach (C)
6. Luke Schenn (D)
7. Colten Teubert (D)
8. Cody Hodgson (C)
9. Colin Wilson (C)
10. Zach Bogosian (D)
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