Thunder Bay Timberwolves Hockey Club

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Thunder Bay, ONT
...The 2009 Entry Draft was supposed to be the "Year of the Swedes", after their strong performance at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa.
...The Thunder Bay Timberwolves once again chose to stay closer to home with their picks. Not one Swedish player was selected. In fact, the Timberwolves reached across the Atlantic only once in twelve picks.
...For Thunder Bay, it was the "Year of the... teammates"?
...JOHN TAVARES (C) - London Knights (OHL) - 6'0" 198lbs - Mississauga, ON
...Tavares vs Hedman? Not for Blake Wendt and his club. When the lottery was won, there was no doubt who he was taking first overall.
..."We weren't going to announce it to the world. What fun is that? But the day when found out we had the first pick, 'Tavares' was stitched onto our '09 Draft sweater. He was our guy."
...Does he have flaws? Of course. Is he on par with the Crosby's and Ovechkin's of the world? That's debatable. His skating has been questioned. His play away from the puck is nothing to write home about. But he is improving in those areas. What cannot be denied is his incredible hockey sense and offensive game. You don't break records in junior held by the greatest hockey player in history, being a bad player. John Tavares has been the most scrutinized, most scouted player in the modern era. His game has been picked apart to the point of it being ridicules. He is a very good hockey player with a huge upside.
...MATT DUCHENE (C) - Brampton Battalion (OHL) - 5'11" 200lbs - Haliburton, ON
...An obvious pick after Victor Hedman was taken second by Winnipeg. The Timberwolves snatched up the Haliburton-native without hesitation.
..."We would've been content if Hedman fell to us," said Wendt. "But we were really hoping we could get our hands on Duchene. The dropoff, if any, is not that far from Tavares. Two different style players. But two very dynamic and dominating players that any team would covet if they only had one. We are thrilled to have both in our organization.
...Duchene has all of the characteristics to draw accurate comparisons to the likes of Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic. Impressive speed, checking ability and hands to come through in clutch situations. He plays positional, sound hockey. With or without the puck, Duchene is a threat to the opposition whenever he is on the ice.
...ZACH BUDISH (C) - Edina Hornets (MNHS) - 6'3" 230lbs - Edina, MN
...When anyone misses almost an entire year of hockey due to injury, it can be devastating to ones career. To miss an entire year in ones Draft year is very hard to overcome, and scares off alot of teams.
...This was all the case for Zach Budish. Tearing his ACL during a high school football game in the fall, Budish missed his entire senior season for Edina. He not only seems to have recovered from the injury, he seems to have added more strength to what was already a pro-rated frame.
..."We had our concerns of course," said Wendt. "But he got into some Elite games after the high school season in Minnesota, and completely dominated the competition. Then he went onto perform in all of the drills at the combine with no issue. An easy decision when our third pick came around."
...MIKE LEE (G) - Fargo Force (USHL) - 6'0" 190lbs - Roseau, MN
..."Lee is a big athletic goalie who takes up a lot of the net. Plays forward in the crease, following the puck well. Is very calm but technical with his feet. Has a good habit of jumping up and addressing the shooter. Likes to glue himself the post when the opposition works down low. Has good side-to-side movement. Makes hard saves look easy because he’s very solid when it comes to positioning. Generally good with rebound distribution. Looks very calm and poised under pressure. Good with both the blocker and his glove." -HockeysFuture
...TOMAS TATAR (C) - Zvolen (Slovakia) - 5'11" 178lbs - Ilava, SVK
..."Tatar has long been known to be a tremendous scorer, but the WJC was his breakout party. Tatar has great hands and a tremendous shot. His ability to be in the right place at the right time is incredible. No player saw his 2009 draft stock rise higher then Tatar after this tournament." -HockeysFuture
...JOSH BIRKHOLZ (RW) - Fargo Force (USHL) - 6'1" 185lbs - Maple Grove, MN
..."Birkholz is a good skater with a good blend of size, skill, and speed. Generally really good on the forecheck. Does not back down and will go hard into the corners and show force. Sees time on the power play. Has a good touch around the net. Very conscious of defensive role, as he’ll come back and work the backcheck." -HockeysFuture
...ANDREJ NESTRASIL (RW) - Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) - 6'2" 195lbs - Prague, CZE
..."Nestrasil's ability to make plays at high speed allows him to surprise his opponents and catch opposing defensemen flat-footed. At 6'2 and 194 pounds, Nestrasil has decent size, but he still has some work to do in adapting to the physical style in North America and playing a more complete game." -HockeysFuture
...MICHAEL LATTA (C) - Guelph Storm (OHL) - 5'11" 205lbs - St. Clements, ON
..."Latta may not have ideal size for an CCHLer, but he has shown that he has ample heart. He's displayed a willingness bordering on zeal for competing in the corners and in front of the net. an effective playmaking center who improves his linemates both through skill and by setting an example on how to pay attention to the intangibles that separate winning teams from the mediocre ones." -HockeysFuture
...NICK OLIVER (C) - Roseau Rams (MNHS) - 6'2" 185lbs - Roseau, MN
..."Oliver is a banging and crashing type of forward with size and grit. He can play both at center and on wing. Oliver brings a physical presence to his game, often delivering bone-jarring hits to opposing players. As he fills out his nearly 6’3 frame, he’ll become an even more intimidating force to be reckoned with. He is extremely competitive, works hard, and is never one to give up on the puck so easily. He also does an outstanding job of supporting plays as well. Oliver isn’t the prettiest skater, with long legs and a hunched-over style, but he does get around the rink quite well. One of Oliver’s best attributes is his shot. It’s accurate with a very quick release. He is very good around and has shown a knack for scoring the so-called “garbage” goals." -HockeysFuture
...MARTIN JONES (G) - Calgary Hitmen (WHL) - 6'3" 180lbs - North Vancouver, BC
...First ever player from the Western Hockey League drafted by the Timberwolves.
...45 wins and 5 losses for Calgary in 2008-09... 'nuff said.
...ANDERS LEE (C) - Edina Hornets (MNHS) - 6'2" 210lbs - Edina, MN
..."It is easy to spot him on the ice because of his imposing size and tremendous strength. He is exceedingly strong on his skates and quite mobile. What stands out about Lee’s skating however is the great balance and agility that he has for such a big man. He also has some speed to go with it. Lee utilizes his large frame, strength and long reach to great advantage. He is not only a difficult player to move off of the puck, but he can also power his way through the opposition’s checks too. He is very strong along the boards and in the corners. Where Lee’s use of his size and strength are particularly noticeable are in his relentless drives to the net and in protecting the puck. He can also deliver some bone-jarring hits as well." -HockeysFuture
...JUSTIN MERCIER (C) - Miami RedHawks (CCHA) - 5'11" 190lbs - Erie, PA
..."Mercier is a good all-around player who is ultra competitive, and who is noted for his unparalleled sense of urgency and willingness to play a very physical game. He makes the most of his ice time and works hard at both ends of the ice. He is tenacious on the forecheck and a monster around the net. He is very effective in tight situations and can battle through traffic. He has great anticipation and foresight, which makes his just as dangerous with the puck as he is without it. Mercier is a good positional player who is very reliable and will also work very hard on the backcheck."