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.