THUNDER BAY, ON, Canada- The inaugural season for the Thunder Bay Timberwolves is now officially over. For some, this was a day that could not have come soon enough.
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"This was a season that I think everyone in this locker room is glad is over," said Joe Pavelski as he cleaned out his locker at the Canadian National Gardens this morning. "I'll stay positive and as upbeat as possible. This team is headed in the right direction. I think everyone that is in this for the long haul knows that."
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"Everyone just wants a fresh start," said Keith Ballard. "No one likes to lose. It became a cancer with this team this season. We almost got used to it. Towards the end, at least the last couple games for sure. You could just tell we weren't focused. At least not with hockey. The normal chatter wasn't about the game ahead. It was about the summer. There's alot of free agents on this team that know they won't be back here next season. They just didn't give a sh*t anymore. That combined with the young guys, that are looking up to these veterens. You basically had a locker room full of guys who basically quit trying. I hope that management doesn't bring any of these guys back. The ones that quit. Maybe I've got my head in the clouds or something. But it shouldn't have been like this."
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Ballard's words to the media could be heard across the locker room and into one of those free agent's ears. Andre Roy was non too happy with what he heard. Roy first cursed at Ballard from across the room, and then made his way towards the defenseman before being seperated by other players. Roy isn't expected to be signed by the Timberwolves this summer. Ballard is the front runner for the captain's position.
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Away from the hurt egos and tempers in the locker room, head coach Craig Hartsburg was at the podium in the Timberwolves Media Room.
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"This was obviously the toughest season in my professional career, and most definately in my coaching career. As the head coach, I take full responsibility for this season. This is a wonderful organization to work with. The pieces are here. There's alot of talent coming up through the pipeline out of Duluth. And there's surely more to come through the draft. We will win. We will put a product on the ice that makes the people of Thunder Bay proud. They deserve as much. To fill this barn every game... I'm just... I just apologize to you, the fans, for having to go through a first season like this. It will get better though.
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Later in the morning, the Timberwolves waited anxiously for a call from the League office about how they faired in the 2008 Draft Lottery. The news was a bitter pill to swallow.
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"We will be drafting fourth overall," said general manager, Blake Wendt. "It's a deep draft, so we're not worried about not getting talent. Obviously we were hoping for the #1. But it is what it is. I personally think the lottery should be for only the number one pick. Last five draw for that one pick, then you fall back to the order you finished in the rankings. I'm not going to sit here and act like I'm happy about this. I'm not. But I'm not happy when I don't hit the Powerball every week either. It's luck of the draw, and simply that. It's just luck. We didn't have it on our side this time."
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When asked if he thought of making an offer to winner of the first overall pick (River Cities), Wendt said this:
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"Chris knows what he's doing. This pick will not come cheap. If he even moves it at all. Which I seriously doubt. I wouldn't move it with (Steven) Stamkos on the table. No chance in hell. So that being said, I highly doubt we have the resources to reach what will be the demand for that pick. But anything can happen I guess."
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The Timberwolves will waste no time in getting right back to work. June 2nd will be the start of manditory Prospect Camp. It will be two weeks of on-ice and dryland drills and scrimmages at the Wolves brand new training center, the Tim Hortons QuadPlex in Thunder Bay. Players taking part in this camp will be current "prospects" in the system. There will be another post-draft camp after the 2008 Entry Draft.
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