WOLVES WIN DESPITE LOSSES

Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay)-

-The Thunder Bay Timberwolves are surprising some people this season. Whether it be the number of wins so far racked up (21) or the fact that management has continued to alter the hockey clubs roster by moving out roster players for future draft picks and prospects and they keep winning.

-"Obviously you'd think that by moving players out and then replacing them with the guys we have promoted from our reserve and practice lineups, we wouldn't have the recent success we've had," said Timberwolves GM, Blake Wendt. "But we are pleased with the results."

-That last comment must be viewed as a catch-22, in that with every win the Timberwolves move further and further away from a bottom five finish and out of the draft lottery and the chances of nabbing John Tavares or Victor Hedman. But Wendt assures the Thunder Bay faithful that there is no harm in winning now. Despite being in the thick of solidifying the organizations foundation through the entry draft and prospects at the expense of veteran players.

-"I've heard people say that we're not going to accomplish anything this season anyway, so we should just shut it down and tank it for the draft," said Wendt. "That's an absolutely ridiculous theory to have in professional sports. You're asking these premiere athletes to completely reverse their mindset, and what does that do for the future? You ruin them!

-Since the last update of this site, the Timberwolves a few moves that are a continuation of managements overall goal of building a strong foundation.

-First came the move of a roster player in rookie, Torrey Mitchell and current minor-leaguer, Oscar Moller being sent to Hawaii for Quebec junior forward, Mikhail Stefanovich and NCAA defenseman, Jamie McBain.

-"We'd been on the prowl for McBain for awhile," said Wendt. "He's everything you want in a defenseman. He is the complete package. His skill-set on both sides of the puck and excellent hockey sense make him a very lethal player on the ice."

-"You look at what Stefanovich is doing in the 'Q' right now, and if can translate that to this level... we have an extremely dynamic player that can take over a game. It will take some maturation on his part and patience on ours. Some people compare him to Sergei (Kostitsyn) in ways that go beyond both being from Belarus, and I agree to a certain extent. Like Sergei, Mikhail needs to put 100% into every shift and the same in preparing for every game. But we wouldn't have made this trade if we didn't think that the good far outweighed the bad. We're very happy to have Stefanovich in our system."

-Next came the acquisition of Taylor Pyatt (pictured) from River Cities for $950,000 in cash. A deal that doesn't necessarily in line with some other moves that Wendt and the Timberwolves have make recently. But Thunder Bay did bring in a relatively young, big-bodied, native son.

-"Taylor may not be the player many envisioned he'd be coming out of junior. Most players don't. But we like the game he plays and the size he adds to our lineup," said Wendt. "He moves the puck well and automatically draws the oppositions big players off our smaller, skilled guys."

-The Timberwolves are 4-1 since picking up the Thunder Bay native, Pyatt.

-The latest move as of today seen defenseman Bryce Salvador heading to Victoria for prospect defenseman, Jonas Junland.

-The Timberwolves general manager was not available for comment on this trade as the team traveled to Hamilton for this evenings game against the Predators.

-To address the loss of a top-six defenseman, Thunder Bay signed free agent Sandis Ozolinsh to a one year, pro-rated contract. Ozolinsh will be in the lineup against Hamilton tonight.