DRAFT: WOLVERINE CAPTAIN JOINS PACK

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay, ON, Canada)- With their third of four third round picks in the 2008 CCHL Entry Draft, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves have selected winger Kevin Porter with the seventy-fifth overall pick.
--Porter is coming off his best season season at the University of Michigan. Scoring thirty-three goals and thirty assists for sixty-three points. Leading his team and nation in scoring, and leading the way to the Hobey Baker Trophy. Awarded to the best U.S. college hockey player. Porter became the first Wolverine to win the trophy since Brendan Morrison.
--"We love everything that Porter brings to the table," said GM Blake Wendt. "His work ethic and leadership alone makes him a top notch player in my opinion. Add to that the game he brings, his skating, puck handling and defensive awareness away from the puck makes him a steal at the seventy fifth spot."
--Porter was also teammates Mark Mitera and Chris Summers at Michigan. Both defensemen are property of the Timberwolves.

DRAFT: WOLVES STAYING REGIONAL

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay, ON, Canada)- After picking defenseman Alex Pietrangelo with the fourth overall pick in this 2008 CCHL Entry Draft, the Timberwolves have picked their last four from just south of Thunder Bay.

--Literally going the opposite direction from the six-foot-three, two-hundred-six pound Pietrangelo, in the second round (31st overall) the Wolves drafted the five-foot-ten, one-hundred-fifty-seven pound Aaron Ness (pictured) from the high school ranks of northern Minnesota.

--Don't let the size of this defenseman fool you. Ness more than dominated his competition with the puck in high school.

--"We're not worried about his size at all," said GM Blake Wendt. "He'll never be that guy clearing the net for you. But not every defenseman is anyway. He's only eighteen and has room to grow. We expect that he'll bulk up when he gets down to the University of Minnesota this fall. The skill and heart is why we drafted Aaron Ness. I've personally watched him in person a few times, and was absolutely amazed with his skillset. He is one of the best skating and puck handling players I've ever seen. He will be a big time player in the CCHL sometime."

--In the "Bonus Round" of the Draft the Wolves picked forward Danny Kristo (51st overall) from the USA Hockey Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

--According to many scouts around the league, Kristo is a very skilled player with a very high hockey IQ. In high school, the Hastings, Minnesota native led all freshman in the state in points. He took that with him to the USTDP and seen his production flurish. Kristo will be playing for the USHL's Omaha Lancers this fall, before heading to the Univerity of North Dakota in 2009.

--With their first (63rd overall) of four third round selections, the Wolves took their third Minnesota native, and second out of high school by taking Shattuck St. Mary's centre, Derek Stepan. Stepan had ninety-one points in fifty-four games. He will be attending the University of Wisconsin next season.

--With the sixty-sixth overall pick in the third round, the Wolves took Stepan's teammate at Shattuck, David Toews. Toews had one-hundred points in fifty-one games for the Sabres. Like Danny Kristo, Toews will also be attending the University of North Dakota.

2008 CCHL ENTRY DRAFT IN FULL SWING

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay, ON, Canada)- The Thunder Bay Timberwolves were a little disappointed when they didn't land the first overall pick in this years CCHL Entry Draft. Despite finishing dead last by a large margin. The Wolves ended up with the fourth overall pick.
--That disappointment became pure joy when it was finally their turn to pick. Wasting no time and snagging defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (pictured) from the Ontario Hockey League's Niagara Ice Dogs.
--"Alex is the best defenseman in this draft," said GM Blake Wendt. "There's no doubt in our minds that we got the right guy. Some might argue that he will eventually be the best player period out of this Draft."
--Pretty bold statements considering the Sarnia Sting's Steven Stamkos has been the clear cut #1 for almost a year, and some would argue that Guelph Storm defenseman Drew Doughty is the better choice.
--"When we found out through the lottery that we were not going to draft first overall," said Wendt. "There was little discussion needed who we were going to pursue. We would've taken him second overall if that's where we landed."
--Pietrangelo, a native of King City, Ontario is currently on his way to Thunder Bay to meet his new team and be formally announced as the newest member of the Thunder Bay Timberwolves.
--"I spoke with Alex before he left Toronto," said head coach Craig Hartsburg. "He's very excited obviously, and cannot wait to put on this jersey.
Vitals:
D Alex Pietrangelo (Niagara Ice Dogs -OHL)
6' 3" 206 lbs
Jan 18, 1990 King City, Ontario, Canada
Compares to: Nicklas Lidstrom or Sergei Zubov

--The Timberwolves next selection does not come until the second round with the thirty-first overall.

WOLVES NAME MCGILL AS ASSISTANT

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay, ON, Canada)- As previously advertised, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves have named their new assistant coach before the 2008 CCHL Entry Draft. This being the eve of the Draft.

--Ryan McGill has been named the second assistant coach in Timberwolves history. McGill replaces Mike Ramsey, who is now the assistant coach for the Timberwolves minor-league affiliate in Duluth.

--The Sherwood Park, Alberta native was announced as the newest member to the coaching staff just hours before the official start of the Draft.

--"We are very pleased to add Ryan to our hockey club," said GM Blake Wendt. "He brings a wealth of coaching and playing experience, and knows how to get the best out of young players."

--McGill will be in the "War Room" with Wendt, head coach Craig Hartsburg and the other Timberwolves scouts for the Draft.

--"Ryan's apart of the team now, and his opinion on certain players will be taken into account with every selection," said Hartsburg.

--In other Timberwolves news, the team has made their first player movement of this offseason. Acquiring Thunder Bay native, Patrick Sharp from the Wisborg Donuts for the eleventh overall pick in this Draft, and prospect Ryan Stoa.

--"Patrick was and has been for a long time, someone that we targeted to aggressively pursue," said Wendt. "Hometown aside, he is everything we want out of all of our players. Blazing speed, defensive prowess, punishing checker, grit, heart and leadership."

--In other CCHL news, the Copenhagen Crusaders wasted no time in starting the Draft by announcing their selection of the OHL's Sarnia Sting's centre, Steven Stamkos.

--"I was a little suprised that River Cities moved out of the number one spot," said Wendt. "They got alot in return, but Stamkos is the real deal."

WOLVES ADD FOUR FROM FREE AGENCY

CANADIAN NATIONAL GARDENS (Thunder Bay, ON, Canada)- Thursday was a very busy day for the Thunder Bay Timberwolves and all of the teams of the CCHL. It was the feeding frenzy also known as Round 1 of the CCHL Unrestricted Free Agent signings.
--The Timberwolves wasted no time in identifying and securing those that they feel are a benefit to the young hockey club.
--Those signed were defenseman Bryce Salvador, winger Jarkko Ruutu, winger Dean McAmmond and Thunder Bay native, centre/winger Ryan Johnson (pictured). Johnson was the only one available to the media immediately after his signing.
--"It's great to be home," said Johnson. "What else can I say. This is where it all started for me. This is where I come back to every summer. I have roots here. I love it here! On top of the obvious reason to want to play professionally in my hometown... this is a class organization from top to bottom. It's with great honour to wear the Timberwolves blue and white. I know they struggled last season. But success in the near future for this team is a given. There's too many really good young guys coming up. I think the veterens that have stayed, and the ones brought in. Including myself. Are the right guys to teach and in turn feed off the energy from these young players. This will be fun."
--Timberwolves general manager Blake Wendt and head coach Craig Hartsburg were also present at the announcement.
--"We'd been watching close since the end of our season as to who we thought were going to be available free agents from other teams," said Wendt. "Everyone of these players that we signed today, were thoroughly evaluated and were brought here for a reason. Simply put, they all play the exact style and brand of hockey that we want to be the identity of this club. Blazing speed, grit, abrasiveness, leadership and heart. Like Ryan just said... the young guys coming up that will see signifigant ice time, are extremely lucky to be coming into a situation where they will be learning from not only really good hockey players. But great men."
--"I honestly just want the season to start already," said Hartsburg. "I haven't been this excited to coach a group of players that are as hungry as the ones on this team. It's very motivating."
--GM Wendt was asked if the Timberwolves would be a player in Round 2 of the UFA signings. he had this to say:
--"I really don't see a reason why we would be. We have the players we want. Our focus now is completely on the upcoming Entry Draft."
--There is still no word as to who Thunder Bay will add as an assistant to Hartburg for this upcoming season. Rumour has Thunder Bay native, and University of Minnesota-Duluth alum, Norm Maciver as a top candidate. GM Wendt had said that he hoped to have the position filled before the CCHL Entry Draft.

PROSPECTS CONVENE AT NEW TRAINING DIGS

Tim Hortons QuadPlex (Thunder Bay, Ont, CND)- Monday, June 2nd was only the beginning for the prospects of the Thunder Bay Timberwolves. The Pre-Draft Prospect Camp will be in full swing until Friday.
--Some of the players not familiar with the area, arrived in Thunder Bay over the weekend to check out what the city has to offer. All seemed impressed.
--"It's a beautiful town," said defenseman Chris Summers. "The people seem very nice. I've liked everything I've seen so far."
--"I could definately see myself laying down some roots here," said centre Bryan Little.
--Little has a very good chance at landing a roster spot out of Training Camp. Due to a shortage of centres currently in the line-up. But don't think that anything is guarenteed or just given.
--"I really hope that no one thinks that a spot is theirs just because they showed up," said general manager Blake Wendt. "Everything will be earned. We'll find out soon enough who really wants it."
--Monday and Tuesday were structured so that the NCAA players got a good look. Due to NCAA rules that the players can only take part in two days of training from their drafted team. Or loose their college eligibility.
--"We'd really like to get more than these two days," said head coach Craig Hartsburg. "But those are the rules, and we have no intention of hurting their college status."
--Of those NCAA players, the University of Minnesota was well represented with seven current players, and one alumni in Alex Goligoski.
--"We all kind of drove up here together," said centre Ryan Stoa. "We're all pretty tight, and it was a fun drive. Long, but fun."
--Sunday night all the players took a walk-thru of the new training facilities in the northside of Thunder Bay then a team dinner at Caribou Restaurant.
--Last season, the Timberwolves held their training camp at Fort William Gardens and their home arena, the Canadian National Gardens. Then held practices during the season between the two and occationally other local rinks.
--This season, the Timberwolves have their own facilities at the brand new, state of the art, 'Tim Hortons QuadPlex'.
--The QuadPlex was the idea of Wendt and others within the organization.
--Under a single roof, there are four rinks. Each with their own home and away locker rooms and seating for fans. Each rink is also fully enclosed seperately to maintain constant climate control and to keep the ice in the best condition possible.
--There is also a skate shop, concessions (of course provided in part by Tim Hortons), restaurant, sports bar and a Timberwolves ProShop.
--"It's a great venue for local hockey games and general public skating to take place," said Wendt. "We hope the community responds in a positive way. We are very proud to be a part of Thunder Bay."
--The people of Thunder Bay didn't have to pay for any part of the construction of the QuadPlex. All contributions came from the Timberwolves and private donours.
--Included in the four rinks, the Timberwolves training facility occupies one rink (not open to the public except on special occations) which includes a workout area that overlooks the rink, locker rooms, trainers room, spas/saunas, video room, coaches offices and a running track surrounding the rink.
--"It's one hell of a set up here," said forward Tom Kostopoulos. "It's pretty neat to have all of this going on under one roof. Plus there's no training facilities that compare to this here. A+ for sure."
--After Tuesday, the Camp roster will be nearly cut in half after the NCAA players are dismissed. A total of thirteen.
--"I think most of us will stick around," said Stoa. "We just can't take part in the training camp stuff. I know I want to stay at least through the weekend before heading back down to the Twin Cities."
--The Timberwolves will be conducting their Post-Draft Prospect Camp, obviously after the 2008 CCHL Entry Draft. It will be an optional camp for these players, but manditory for the '08 draftees.
--There will be an optional Mini-Camp sometime in July, followed by an optional Conditioning Camp and then the manditory Training Camp for all players.