PROSPECT WATCH: DANNY KRISTO

DANNY KRISTO - RW
Omaha Lancers (USHL)
Drafted: 2008 2nd Round (51st) by Thunder Bay
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 172 lbs
Birthdate: June 18, 1990 (18 years old)
Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Next Year: Committed to the University of North Dakota

Danny Kristo was drafted this past summer by the Timberwolves after two successful seasons with the US Development Team out of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Minnesota native thoroughly impressed the Timberwolves management due to the many aspects of his game that mirror the image of their hockey club.

"Danny brings so much to the table to be successful in this league and with this club," said Timberwolves Owner/General Manager, Blake Wendt. "He's brought the level of his game up as he's progressed and advanced and not only has matched that of his teammates and opposition. But has also been able to be one of the best players on the ice on a nightly basis."

Kristo is currently in his first year in the United States Hockey League, and playing for one of the best organizations, historically, with the Omaha Lancers. He is on a point per game status with six goals, eleven assists for seventeen points through seventeen games.

He won't be scoring for the Lancers for next couple of weeks though, as Kristo was selected for Team USA at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa. The tournament will go from December 26th to January 5th, and pit the best players under the age of twenty from ten countries against one another.

"It's a wonderful tournament from a scouting perspective," said Wendt. "We have several players from our system participating and several more we are closely watching for the 2009 Draft. It's not always the goals and saves we're looking for. Of course you take those into account when analysing players. But it's the little details in a players game that sets scouts apart. What's the player doing away from the puck? When he goes into the corners, does he come out with the puck? Does he normally take hits or give them? Does he go out of his way to initiate contact? Toughness is a big part of this game. You don't have to be a meathead and wrecking ball out there. But at this age and at this level... if you can be knocked off the puck and your opponent can keep the puck and take it from you with their physical play. It doesn't matter your skill level is. You won't have the puck to show anyone that."

Despite his somewhat smallish stature, Kristo brings that grit that his general manager looks for.

"You have to have that toughness to play for the US Development Team. They play a pretty demanding schedule with lots of travel against older, stronger and more experienced players. To succeed with this team, you have to be a special player. Danny was amongst the point leaders in each of the two seasons in Ann Arbor. He did that with his great skating and quickness and high tempo game he brings every night. It's easy to carry the puck, it takes a gritty, hard-nosed, shifty player to hang onto it and do something with it. Danny not only keeps it, he pursues it and wants it on his stick all the time."

Other players from the Timberwolves playing at the 2009 World Junior Championships:
United States: Kristo, Aaron Palushaj (Michigan), Ian Cole (Notre Dame), Cade Fairchild (Minnesota)
Canada: Alex Pietrangelo (OHL Niagara)
Germany: Denis Reul (QMJHL Lewiston)
Sweden: Oscar Moller (Duluth Pups)

Next 'Prospect Watch': Defenseman, Chris Summers from the University of Michigan

STREAK ENDS IN CUBA

The Humidor (Havana)-
--The four-game winning streak for the Thunder Bay Timberwolves came to an end after a 2-1 loss to the Havana Moon on Friday night.
--Patrick Sharp opened the scoring in the first for his team leading sixteenth goal of the season. Sharp took his own blocked shot from Havana's Marc Staal and broke away alone, beating Martin Biron with a sniper's goal over the tenders glove under the crossbar at 00:32.
--Thunder Bay went onto outshooting Havana 13-5 in the first, but were unable to capitalize again after Sharp's tally.
--The second period was a complete 180 of sorts. The Moon shutdown the Timberwolves and outshot the visitors 14-4 in the middle period. Michal Nylander would capitalize for Castro's club at 16:42. Tying things up at 1-1 going into the second intermission.
--"We didn't go into the second with the same intensity we carried throughout the third," said Timberwolves captain, Keith Ballard. "I think the effort was their for us. But credit Havana for turning their game around and taking it to us. The second period was theirs to take, and without Nitty (Antero Niittymaki) standing on his head for us, we wouldn't stand a chance."
--The third period saw both clubs figuring each other out and playing more evenly. But at 10:52, Trevor Daley netted his first of the season from Eric Staal and Alex Ovechkin. The Timberwolves tried, but could not come back and lost to Havana 2-1.
--"A loss is a loss and it doesn't help you in the standings," said a matter-of-fact Timberwolves head coach, Craig Hartsburg. "But if you look at the entire game and not just the score, we matched up well with them. Special teams weren't a factor. Shots were pretty close, and as was total time of possession. Both goalies were good when they had to be. For our players, they all did what they needed to do and weren't caught out of position very often. Mistakes were made obviously, but the game-winner on Niittymaki was a flukey shot that hit alot of bodies and was just a lucky goal. We'll take the good things from this game and build on them, and take a look at our mistakes and try to work on them and limit them in the future."
--The Timberwolves left immidiately after their game with the Moon back to Thunder Bay for some rare home cooking in the middle of a long road trip. They have the next two days off before their next game on Monday in Quebec.
--"It'll be good for everyone to go home for a couple days and relax and be with friends and family," said GM Blake Wendt. "I think this time away from the rink will be a benefit." The Timberwolves players knew they had Saturday off. Mostly due to travel from Havana to Thunder Bay. But it wasn't until they got on the plane home that they found out that they had Sunday off also.

3 STARS (THU/HAV)...
*Trevor Daley (HAV) - Game-winning goal and assist
**Alex Ovechkin (HAV) - 2 assists
***Martin Biron (HAV) - 25 saves and 1 goal against in win

WOLVES NAB BLUECHIP, WIN 4TH IN ROW

ThunderDome (Niagara Falls)- The Thunder Bay Timberwolves arrived in Niagara Falls riding a three-game winning streak and adding a former first rounder to their roster from the previous night.

--The Timberwolves landed in Toronto on Wednesday afternoon after a skip across the pond from Sweden, where they won their third game in a row against the Wisborg Donuts. While in-flight, general manager, Blake Wendt pulled off an amazing coup of sorts when he was able to acquire 2006 first overall draft pick, Erik Johnson (pictured) from the Southwest Scorpions.

--Thunder Bay sent Nick Schultz and prospects Andreas Nodl and Kevin Porter to Soutwest for Johnson and prospect defenseman, Matt Corrente. Corrente was immediately sent down to Duluth.

--Johnson, in his rookie season is joining his third hockey club in a month. He was traded from Dayton to Southwest on December 5th. That alone might lead some to wonder "what's wrong with this kid?" Not something that worries the Timberwolves at all.

--"I can't imagine that Erik will moving any time in the near future," said Wendt. "We've coveted him since his U.S. under-18 and NCAA years. We made more than one offer to Dayton when they had him. We made an offer to the Scorpions almost immediately after they acquired him. He is everything in a defenseman that we want. He's huge (6-4, 225 lbs), he skates very well for a big man. He plays with poise beyond his years. Head is up with or without the puck. Plus he has a mean streak and will crush you open ice or in the boards. Erik Johnson is an all around defenseman that excels in all aspects of his game. He will be in Thunder Bay for a very long time."

--The former Minnesota Golden Gopher, Johnson was in the lineup for the Timberwolves in Niagara Falls against the Thunder on Thursday night.

--Wearing number 4, Johnson opened up the scoring in the game at 16:32 in the first. Thunder Bay would go on to score four more goals before Niagara Falls ended Josh Harding's shutout bid at 18:43 in the third. The Thunder goal was scored on Antero Niittymaki, who was in due to an injury to Harding. Per the team it is a "lower body injury".

--"Josh was hurt in his last start with the same thing," said head coach Craig Hartsburg. "We thought we had it resolved, but I guess not. He had showed no signs of anything lingering the last few days in practice and he didn't show anything in the warm-up. It's a minor thing and we'll get it taken care of and he'll be back."

--Karri Ramo was recalled from Duluth and was able to make it to the team plane in Toronto before they left for Havana, Cuba for their Saturday contest against the Moon.

--Even while boarding the plane at 2 am, Wendt couldn't stop gleaming about his recent acquisition. And not just about Erik Johnson

--"To get a cornerstone defenseman like Johnson on our roster is amazing," said Wendt. "But honestly, Matt Corrente is what put this deal over the top for us. We seen alot of him last season at Niagara (IceDogs, OHL) when we were specifically looking at Alex Pietrangelo. Like Johnson, we made offers last season for Matt's rights. He caught our eye and we enjoy the game he brings to the table. He's abrasive and hits like a freight train. He's similar to Dion Phaneuf in that he's physical and in your face, but also skates very well and carries the puck with poise and control. He can easily be the best player on the ice in any game. All the skills are there, they just need some polishing and refining. But we think he makes us better."

--Timberwolves fans will have to wait until after Christmas to see their new bluechip defenseman in person. Thunder Bay doesn't play at home until next Saturday against Reykjavik.

3 STARS vs NIA...

*Patrick Sharp (THU) - Goal and two assists

**Josh Harding (THU) - Zero goals against off twenty-six shots in forty-nine minutes before injury

***David Perron (THU) - Game-winner at 18:40 in first period

WOLVES PICK APART 'JUSTIZ

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay)-
The Thunder Bay TImberwolves entered their Friday night contest at home with some changes in lineup against the Lahr Lynchjustiz.

While in Copenhagen, the Timberwolves traded Stephane Veilleux to the Springfield Homers for a second and fifth round draft picks in 2009.

Prior to their morning skate on Friday another move was made.

Veteren forward, Brendan Shanahan (pictured) was acquired from the North Dakota Ibex along with the Ibex's second and third picks in 2009. Thunder Bay also recieved their fifth round pick back (traded in offseason for Tyler Eckford). All for just taking Shanahan and his three year, $4.5 million dollar contract from the cash-strapped Ibex.

"We're not in the greatest if financial situtation either," said Timberwolves GM, Blake Wendt. "But our player payroll is one of the lowest in the league. Some might argue that Shanny's contract is an ugly one. Especially at his age and that he may retire after this CCHL season. While I don't disagree with the risk in eating much of his contract, we felt that the package of draft picks coming back were well worth the risk. This looks to be a comparable, if not better draft class, and just as deep. If Brendan does return and is a productive player through his contract, it's all bonus for us. His leadership and big game experience will be a valuable asset for sure for this season."

With Shanahan in the lineup, the Timberwolves also went with a rookie goaltender in Karri Ramo in net. Ramo was called up from Duluth in the morning due to Josh Harding's injury.

"Ramo had a great training camp and was one of our last cuts to start the season," said head coach, Craig Hartsburg. "He took what he got out of our camp and is playing great down in Duluth. We felt that he would be better off getting some game action right away instead of just sitting on the bench."

The game started off with three unanswered goals for the Timberwolves. The first two from Patrick Sharp and the third from their captain Keith Ballard. Alexei Kovalev brought Lahr back with within one, and the second period ended with Thunder Bay up 3-1.

In the third, the Timberwolves would add three before Lahr would score once more. Final score was 6-2 Thunder Bay. The most goals scored this season by the Timberwolves and the first career CCHL victory for Ramo.

3 STARS
#1 Patrick Sharp (THU) - 2 goals and 2 assists
#2 Karri Ramo (THU) - 23 saves and 2 goals against in first CCHL win
#3 Sergei Kostitsyn (THU) - 1 goal and 2 assists

Thunder Bay takes on the Ferrets in Winnipeg tonight.

VEILLEUX TRADED FOR PICKS

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay)-
Coming off their 2-1 loss to Copenhagen yesterday evening, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves stayed the night in Denmark and were preparing to board their plane back to Canada. Not everyone though.

This morning Stephane Veilleux was traded to Springfield for the Denver's 2nd round and Springfield's 5th round picks in the 2009 Entry Draft. The official announcement did not come until the team was at the airport.

In a strange coincidence, Springfield was on their way to Europe to play Wisborg tomorrow. Veilleux said his goodbyes and watched his now former teammates take off for Toronto. He then took what little luggage he brought with him for the two-night stay and boarded a ferry to cross the strait of Oresund to meet his new team coming to Sweden.

"The deal itself happened pretty quick," said Timberwolves GM Blake Wendt, who was traveling with his team. "Springfield inquired about Veilleux, made an offer. We countered, they accepted and the league office was notified of the transaction. Maybe an hour tops while on our way to the airport."

Wendt said that Veilleux was aware he was involved in talks the entire time.

"Stephane knew the whole way to the airport. I asked him if he wanted to stay in Europe for another night. He laughed, and I said I was serious. He's going to be a solid player for them. He's not someone I would've traded for nothing. Two picks in another deep draft was something we couldn't pass on. In a couple years, or a different draft I wouldn't make this trade. I personally would like to thank Stephane for services to the Timberwolves. He did everything that was asked of him, and was a leader on and off the ice. He will me missed and I wish him the best of luck."

Thunder Bay acquired Veilleux via free agency last season.

NITTY STOPS 44 IN LOSS

Copenhagen, Denmark-
After a twelve hour flight that took them from Calgary-to-Toronto-to-Copenhagen, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves arrived in Denmark late morning Tuesday for their game against the Crusaders the next day.

Still adjusting to the time change and long flight, the Timberwolves looked weary in the opening period of their game against the Crusaders.

Through ten minutes in the game, Thunder Bay's Josh Harding faced fourteen shots. Eventually Copenhagen would tally one after Chris Kelly crashed the net and the puck slid through Harding. More than the goal though was the health of the Timberwolves netminder. Harding appeared to take a knee to the head on the play and struggled to get up. After an assessment from the trainer, it was decided to bring in Antero Niittymaki to finish the game.

Thunder Bay was able to limit the shots allowed on Niittymaki to close out the third. The Finnish tender stopped all seven that he seen. Shots were 22-5 in favour of Copenhagen in the first period.

The second period seen the same onslaught of shots from the Crusaders. Through fifteen minutes, Niittymaki made twenty saves on twenty shots. Compared to Copenhagen's Marc Denis seeing five.

With thirty-six seconds left on Copenhagen rookie Patrick Kane's minor, Thunder Bay's own Patrick scored to tie things up. Sharp's eighth goal of the season came from rookies Sergei Kostitsyn and Matt Niskanen.

Niittymaki kept his club in the game through the second period. Eventually stopping all of Copenhagen's twenty-three shots. Compared to Thunder Bay's five.

In the third the Crusaders would put the Timberwolves away when Rostislav Olesz scored at 14:47.

Thunder Bay lost 2-1, were out shot 13-60 and lost one of their goalies for presumably the next two games due to injury.

"The second period was by far our best," said Timberwolves coach Craig Hartsburg. "Nitty kept us in it. Without solid goaltending tonight, this is a complete blowout. Our D did a nice job of clearing lanes and letting our goalies see the shots. But way too many shots and opportunities for Copenhagen. The neutral zone is where we're getting killed. We're letting them skate through that zone unabated and no one is stepping up on the blueline to make them work. We were tired and looked tired. But that's no excuse. It's my job as the coach to prepare our players mentally for the game. It's their jobs physically to get it done. We have to start taking it to our opponents to be successful. I'm confident we can."

Thunder Bay's next game is Saturday at home against the Lahr Lynchjustiz. Antero Niittymaki will likely get the start as Josh Harding will be unavailable due to his injury. It's unknown whether the Timberwolves will call-up Karri Ramo from Duluth or try and pick up a "loaner" until Harding returns.

"It's a long season," said GM Blake Wendt. "If Harding was hurt for a long time, then we'd probably look around and let Ramo develop in Duluth. The problem is that no matter if we send him back down. Which we will when Harding returns. Is that he counts against our roster limits. Not a big deal since we have room right now. But if the injury bug hits us hard and we have to go out and bring in loaner-type players. Then we have to cut guys with guaranteed contracts. Every team deals with this throughout the season though."

In other news, Thunder Bay signed free-agent forward, B.J. Crombeen to a two-year, $550,000 contract. The 6'-2", 200 pound twenty-three year old, Denver native was immediately assigned to Duluth.

"Crombeen brings alot to the table that we like," said Wendt. "He's hard nosed, tough and skates very well. He's raw in alot of areas, but he's young and coachable."

Crombeen spent four years in the OHL with the Barrie Colts. He was teammates with Bryan Little there and will be again in Duluth.

3 STARS
#1 Rostislav Olesz (COP) - Game-winning goal
#2 Antero Niittymaki (THU) - 44 saves in a relief loss
#3 Patrick Sharp (THU) - Game-tying goal in second

WOLVES HOWL LOST IN CHINOOK WINDS

Calgary, AB- Coming off two consecutive wins, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves traveled west to Alberta to take on the Calgary Chinook and their rookie goaltender.

For the first ten minutes in the game both clubs battled but remained scoreless. At 8:56 Thunder Bay's Quintin Laing took an ill-advised hooking penalty. Giving Calgary an edge with the man advantage.

Swedish sniper, Kristian Huselius took a feed from Patrice Brisebois and backhanded a shot between the legs of a stretched out Antero Niittymaki.

The Timberwolves would not come back like in previous games this season. The Chinook would add two more goals in the third and shutdown the limited shots taken by Thunder Bay. The shots ended 40-17 in favour of Calgary.

Calgary's rookie goalie, Carey Price recorded his second career CCHL shutout in eight total games.

"Price is a very good goalie," said Thunder Bay's Patrick Sharp. "We didn't make him work too hard tonight, but you can see his poise and control when we were able to get some shots on him. Doesn't play like this is his first pro season."

The Timberwolves have Tuesday off from the ice, but will be flying out of Calgary to Toronto in the morning. After some fuel they will continue onto Denmark for their first game over the Atlantic against the Copenhagen Crusaders on Wednesday.

NCAA PROSPECTS GET A LOOK

Mariucci Arena (Minneapolis, MN)- With two weekend days off from games, two of the Timberwolves top amateur scouts and the general manager made a trek to the States to get a firsthand look at some of their U.S college prospects.

-Chief Amateur Scout, Tony Hrkac traveled solo to Grand Forks, North Dakota to watch Colin Greening's Cornell Big Red take on David Toews' and Ben Blood's North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

-General Manager, Blake Wendt and Amateur Scout, Norm Maciver headed to Minneapolis for the 'College Hockey Showcase' at Mariucci Arena. Featuring the hometown Minnesota Golden Gophers, their WCHA-rival Wisconsin Badgers, and the CCHA's Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans.

-"It's no secret we heavily scout the NCAA ranks," said Wendt. "With twelve of the eighteen active players playing between these two towns this weekend. These were trips we basically had to make."

-In Grand Forks, Cornell came to town with a red-hot junior goaltender and their captain, Colin Greening leading their team in points.

-NoDak freshmen, David Toews and Ben Blood are still trying to earn their ice time on a struggling Sioux team. Toews has two assists in nine games and Blood doesn't have a point in twelve games.

-"The last time we seen these guys was in June at our Prospect Camp," said Hrkac. "Greening had the leadership qualities and skill to get noticed then. Toews ('08 draftee) was someone we watched alot of last year at Shattuck St Mary's and in camp. He shows flashes of the Toews genes (younger brother of Jonathan), but is still rough around the edges. Blood ('07 draftee) is a man-child. He's huge and still growing. We're not concerned about his lack of points right now. It's not his game. We came here to see if he can keep pace with bigger, stronger and faster players as opposed to what he was used to in the USHL last year. Like David, Ben's still got a lot of work. But we're completely comfortable with them developing in a program like North Dakota." Hrkac was a Hobey Baker winner (top US college hockey player) for North Dakota in 1987.

-UND won 7-3 on Friday. Cornell won 2-1 on Saturday. Greening was the only Timberwolves prospect with a point. Scoring a goal on Friday and the game-winner on Saturday.

-In Minneapolis, on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Wendt and Maciver were set to watch ten of their prospects from the four schools at the tournament. While also eyeing possible future draft picks.

-"This is a great tournament," said Maciver. "All four of these schools are renowned for their history and championships and the players that come through their ranks and go onto stellar pro careers. To have all four under one roof in two nights is outstanding from a scouting perspective. Plus with the economy the way it is, this is a bargain."

-Gophers and Thunder Bay prospects, Cade Fairchild ('07 draftee), Jay Barriball and Aaron Ness ('08 draftee) all had assists in a shocking 6-3 defeat for #1 ranked Minnesota to Michigan. Aaron Palushaj and Chris Summers each had an assist in the Wolverines win on Friday.

-Fairchild and Ness added an assist each on Saturday in a 4-4 tie with Michigan State. Forward prospect, Pat White ('07 draftee) scored a goal.

-Also on Saturday, Michigan was shutout in the first place game against Wisconsin. Derek Stepan ('08 draftee) had an assist in the game.

-Other prospects picking up points with their respective NCAA team:

-Patrick Weircioch (Denver), goal and assist in 6-1 win vs Colgate

-Ryan Thang (Notre Dame), goal in 3-3 tie vs Western Michigan