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.