THE FUTURE IS HERE

Thunder Bay, ON- Despite the current Timberwolves being on the road and preparing themselves for the fast approaching CCHL playoffs. Some future Timberwolves are arriving in Thunder Bay in waves as the NCAA season comes to a close.

>>>The Frozen Four takes place April 8-10 in Detroit. Of which the Timberwolves now only have one prospect still currently playing in the NCAA. That being forward, Derek Stepan with the University of Wisconsin.

>>>"We're excited to be bringing these players completely under our wing," said Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "They've gained invaluable experience and tutelage from some of the greatest hockey minds out there. They've matured physically and mentally from their high school and junior days. Some have gone the distance and come here with a degree. I would never pull these young men away from college too early. Some don't believe in the NCAA method of producing professional talent. I do. These players are men when they come to us. They are ready for this next step."

>>>The next step for some came as soon as the regular season was over. Minnesota's Mike Carman and Jay Barriball arrived in Thunder Bay early. Barriball has since decided to return to the Golden Gophers after missing almost all of this season to injury. Notre Dame's captain, Ryan Thang spent four years at South Bend (Indiana) and comes to Thunder Bay off a disappointing season for the Irish. But with a degree and hockey mind molded with the help of an excellent coach in Jeff Jackson.

>>>Joining Thang on Wednesday, is his teammate Ian Cole (pictured) from the blueline. Cole was close to leaving Notre Dame last season, but opted to return for his junior season. Also rumoured to be leaving ND is Cole's defensive partner, Teddy Ruth. Ruth has yet to announce his intentions for next season.

>>>On Tuesday, defenseman Chris Summers departed Ann Arbor as a senior captain of the Michigan Wolverines. The maize and blue were eliminated on Sunday in double-overtime to the Miami Redhawks for their place in the Frozen Four.

>>>Also eliminated over the weekend were the Cornell Big Red and the Denver Pioneers. With that came the end of their college careers for seniors Colin Greening (Cornell) and Rhett Rakhshani (Denver). Both arrived in Thunder Bay on Monday for their assignments from Wendt and the Timberwolves.

>>>All six players will remain in Thunder Bay through Saturday. When the Timberwolves return home to take on the Dayton Musicmen.

>>>"We have an awesome fan base and it's an experience that cannot be described in words what a game at the CN Gardens is like," said Wendt. "It's important to witness it and adds more motivation to someday be out there with that 'TB' on your chest and being part of something special."

>>>On Sunday, the prospects will head to Duluth, Minnesota and get their first pro experience with the Pups in their last few remaining games.