Fargo, ND- With the big club currently overseas getting ready to take on the Copenhagen Crusaders, some of the management and scouts of the Thunder Bay Timberwolves hopped on AirWolf II (a Bombardier Global 5000) and headed south to Minnesota and North Dakota to get a look at some of their prospects.
>>>"Stats and video don't always give you the bigger picture on a players development," said Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "Getting eyes on is the best way to get a clear evaluation. We have a very good scouting department that is continuously keeping tabs on all our prospects. For me personally, I try to get out and see for myself all of the players in our organization.
>>>Any game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and North Dakota Fighting Sioux helps with the travel. The Timberwolves have thirteen prospects between the two schools.
>>>A short forty-five minute flight from Thunder Bay to Minneapolis and Wendt and his scouts are in Mariucci Arena watching their future battle for and against each other on Friday night.
>>>Minnesota and North Dakota tied 3-3. With a Timberwolves prospect getting a point on five of the six goals. Minnesota's Pat White had a goal while Cade Fairchild and Zach Budish (pictured) each had two assists. North Dakota's Danny Kristo scored twice.
>>>After spending the night in the Twin Cities, Wendt and head amateur scout, Tony Hrkac took off for Fargo to take in a USHL tilt between the Force and Des Moines Buccaneers. The only Timberwolves prospect between the two teams is Fargo's and 2009 draft pick, Nick Oliver. But there are always others being watched.
>>>"Nick's a big kid that likes to throw his weight around," said Wendt. "Coming off a successful high school career at Roseau (MN), he's been struggling this season in Fargo for whatever reason. Some kids just don't translate that success in high school to the USHL. (Nico) Sacchetti didn't two years ago in Omaha, but his game is picking up at Minnesota. Sometimes it's a system that takes time to get accustomed to. Sometimes it's a lack of ice time. For Nick, it's a combination of it all. But he needs to earn the ice time.
>>>Nick Oliver has 2 goals and 7 assists and is a -1 in 33 games for Fargo this season. He will attend St. Cloud State University (MN) in the fall.
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