ROSTER READY FOR PRE-SEASON

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay)- For some CCHL teams, the annual Waiver Draft is just another bump in road while awaiting the start of the season. Rarely are there impact players available to help ones hockey club. Most are picked up to fill in roster spots for cheap.
-Due to their nine wins from last season (last place), the Thunder Bay Timberwolves chose Alberta-native, Kyle Brodziak with the first pick.
-"Brodziak gives us some much needed depth up front," said Timberwolves GM Blake Wendt. "He'll be given every opportunity to earn a full-time spot. But it will be a battle for ice time on our lower lines. We like what he brings to the table though. Still rough around the edges. We'll work with him on his skating. But he's a smart player with and without the puck and a very industrious player."
-With their second and final pick, the Wolves added Quintin Laing to the mix. The twenty-nine year old journeyman brings with him a wealth of knowledge and a sound defensive game.
-"Like Brodziak, Laing will have a strong chance of earning either a solid fourth line spot or be one of a handful of players we'll rotate game in and game out for those minutes. He (Laing) probably has the edge due to experience and a pretty good defensive game."
-Hours before the Waiver Draft, the Timberwolves made a trade with the Dayton Musicmen.
-Centre, Joe Pavelski and prospect Alex Goligoski were sent to Ohio with Thunder Bay's third round draft pick next season. In return, the Timberwolves landed prospects Aaron Palushaj, Ian Cole, Patrick Weircioch, Trevor Cann and Dayton's third round pick next season.
-"It's tough to trade away very quality hockey players and men like Joe and Alex," said Wendt. "If we were in a different position as an organization, these two quality young men would not even be considered in trades. But do to these qualities, and our position. The players we got in return are also very high quality in quantity. Which is what we had to do for the greater future of our hockey club."
-Aaron Palushaj is a sophomore forward at the University of Michigan. He currently leads all NCAA players in points (12 GP 7g 13a 20 points). He is the teammate of fellow Timberwolves prospects, Mark Mitera and Chris Summers.
-Ian Cole is a sophomore defenseman at the University of Notre Dame. He currently is third on the Irish in points (11 GP 3g 6a 9 points) and leading the way for all their blueliners. He is the teammate of fellow Timerwolves prospect, Ryan Thang.
-Patrick Weircioch is a freshman defenseman at Denver University. He currently is fifth on the Pioneers in points (10 GP 5g 5a 10 points) and their highest scoring defenseman.
-Trevor Cann was recently traded in the OHL from the Peterborough Petes to the London Knights. Since joining the Knights, Cann is a perfect 5-0 with a 1.77 GAA and a .933 save %. He also has two shutouts in those five games (and one in ten games with the Petes).
-"With all due respect to Pavelski and Goligoski, we definitely feel we got the better end in this deal," said Wendt. "Time will tell. But we are very excited to land these players."