Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay, ON, CND)- Bryan Berard was acquired this past season as a free agent to fill a void on Thunder Bay's blueline. The Timberwolves simply didn't have enough defensemen available on their roster due to vast injuries.
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Berard was signed last season to a one year deal. Thus making him a free agent at season's end.
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"We probably could have originally signed him to a multi-year deal," said general manager, Blake Wendt. "But we were not in a position to throw too many two to three year contracts around. Bryan understood that. We had a mutual agreement that if he played well enough, we would try to resign him again. We knew we'd be short defensemen in '08-'09. I think this really works out for everyone. Bryan is a veteren that has been through some hardships. He plays a style that we are looking for, and still has plenty of gas in the tank. We need guys that have his talent and experience to be role models for the young 'D' that will be coming up this next season."
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Berard is not gurenteed a roster spot. Although the Timberwolves look to have some holes on defense. Most of that will be due to the youth and lack of experiece coming up from Duluth.
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"I'm not expecting anything to be handed to me," said Berard. "This club is in a transition period. Young guys will have priority with icetime. I'll be there to support these kids, and try to teach them some of the things I've learned. One will be losing their spot to a vet (with a smirk on his face)".
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June 2nd-through-7th, the Timberwolves will be holding their 'initial' Prospects Camp in Thunder Bay. The camp will include all prospects currently in the Wolves system. Management, scouts and coaches from Thunder Bay and Duluth will be present to evaulate the players in variety of on-ice drills and scrimmages and off-ice (dry land) exercises. This is a mandatory training session for all prospects. Another Prospect Camp will be held soon after the CCHL Entry Draft. Thunder Bay currently holds fifteen picks in the Draft.
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