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