LEBLANC OPTS FOR PRO GAME

Thunder Bay, ON- The Thunder Bay Timberwolves have signed forward Louis Leblanc to a minor-league contract.
>>>Leblanc was the 25th overall pick for the Dayton Musicmen in the 2009 CCHL Entry Draft. Then traded to Thunder Bay along with fellow '09 draftee, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson on August 31, 2009. He is eligible to be sent to cchl2, but has signed with the Montreal Juniors of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The current plan is to have him play in the QMJHL, but it depends on what happens in Timberwolves training camp this fall.
>>>The 6-foot-1, 184-pound forward led Harvard in goals (11), assists (12), and points (23) as a freshman during the 2009-10 seasons. Leblanc was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year.
>>>He has twice played for Canada in international tournaments and was invited to the National Junior Team camp in preparation for the World Junior Hockey Championships to be played in Buffalo in December.
>>>
>>>PUP NOTES
>>>Prospect forward Josh Birkholz has foregone his college career at the University of Minnesota to play for the Western Hockey League's Everett Silvertips.
>>>The University says that Birkholz was facing a suspension for violating team rules prior to his decision to leave for the WHL. That violation was the failing of a random drug test.
>>>"We're aware of the situation with Josh Birkholz," said Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "We're an organization with the highest standards in regards to personal conduct. We are not pleased with Josh's actions that led to this outcome but are also looking out for the further development of all of our prospects. On and off the ice. On the ice, we were not prepared for Josh Birkholz to not play this season at Minnesota. Going back to the USHL was not in the best interest for the further development for him. Although we are disappointed to have had a prospect leave Minnesota under these circumstances, we understand and endorse the move of Birkholz to the WHL and Everett. Josh was drafted by a professional organization and expect him to act and live accordingly. We are confident that he has put this incident behind him, learned from it and will continue his and our goal to one day play for the Thunder Bay Timberwolves Hockey Club."
>>>The destination for one of the Timberwolves 2010 draftees is no longer in limbo. Forward, Max Gardiner will indeed play for the University of Minnesota beginning this fall. Gardiner had been rumoured to be playing for Des Moines in the USHL this year and start his college career in 2011.
>>>Gardiner's teammate at Minnetonka High School, Justin Holl has yet to confirm his intentions to also play at "The U". But with the departure of fellow blueliner Nick Leddy for the pros, there is an opening to be earned by Holl. He had originally been slated to play for the USHL's Omaha Lancers this season.

WOLVES LAND GAGNE

Thunder Bay, ON- There was apparently some unfinished business between the Thunder Bay Timberwolves and Prague Piranhas after completing one deal in the past two days.
>>>That business was the acquisition of left winger, Simon Gagne for the Timberwolves' 2011 second round pick.
>>>"Simon was apart of the discussions in our previous deal," said Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "I think we settled for what we had going then and I didn't include Gagne in the offer then. Matt (Young, Prague's GM) sent out a list of his available players soon after the league announced our deal, and Gagne was on that list. It was about as quick a transaction as there can be. I ponied up the second and he took it. No haggeling or anything like that."
>>>"We're very excited to be bringing Simon Gagne into the fold here in Thunder Bay. He's another weapon up front that the opposition cannot hide from. With the guys we have and the ones coming up, I feel we have four very solid lines going into the season. I don't see any reason to make anymore moves. I think we'll close up shop for the next several weeks and enjoy our summer."

Here comes a BOOM!

Thunder Bay, ON- In a time of year when the hockey-world takes a much needed break. The sound of hammer dropping is resonating throughout the Superior lakehead.
>>>This afternoon, Blake Wendt completed a thunderous deal in more ways than one with the freshly moved Prague Piranhas.
>>>Here's how it breaks down:
>>>
>>>To Prague: Defenseman, Matt Niskanen, centre, Ryan O'Reilly and prospect defenseman, Alex Pietrangelo
>>>
>>>To Thunder Bay: Defenseman, Anton Volchenkov (pictured left), defenseman, Douglas Murray (pictured right), winger, Colby Armstrong and prospect defenseman, Oliver Ekman-Larsson
>>>
>>>"We addressed a glaring need on our backend," said Wendt. "Punishers. Guys that will seek out the opposition from the redline in and eliminate them. By adding Volchenkov and Murray, we've acquired two of the best at doing that. Their presence on the ice will not go unnoticed. They are big. They are mobile. They will not give an inch of their zone, and when they hit you... you will not forget it. I am ecstatic to have this element to our lineup."
>>>"But not to be forgotten in the rest of this deal, is a physical forward that brings some added grit and determination to our club. Colby Armstrong is a born leader. He's vocal and leads by example. Plays an all-around game, gets his nose dirty and is a warrior in the trenches. Sort of the typical player we think represents the culture here in Thunder Bay and in our dressing room."
>>>"Regarding the prospects that were exchanged. Alex Pietrangelo was not someone we seeked to move. Prague is getting a legitimate star in the near future. Simply put, in order for this deal to go down, the caliber of prospect needed to be great. Our return was that also. Oliver Ekman-Larsson plays a game eerily similar to Alex. In our opinion and that of our scouts, Oliver's ceiling is a bit higher than that of Pietrangelo's. Not by much, but we do feel we got the better prospect. Even if by a hair."

Thunder Bay, ON- The Canadian National Gardens plays host to the last major hockey function this summer in Thunder Bay.

>>>The Timberwolves opened their Post-Draft Prospect Camp on Monday after players arrived to town on Sunday for their physicals.

>>>Due to the high number of draft picks the past couple years, the Timberwolves have to divide up this second prospect camp of the post season into two sessions. Team Grey and Team White.

>>>

>>>TEAM GREY:

#9 Matt Duchene

#16 Ryan O'Reilly

#45 Max Gardiner

#52 Zach Budish

#58 Joe Basaraba

#71 Nico Sacchetti

#75 Louis Leblanc

#82 Josh Birkholz

#88 Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson

#91 Jay Barriball

#98 Jake Hansen

#2 Jason Garrison

#6 Erik Johnson

#38 Brandon Davidson

#43 Jeff Foss

#54 Tony DeHart

#64 Mark Alt

#80 Alex Pietrangelo

#37 Marc Cheverie

#62 Martin Jones

#84 Marco Cousineau

>>>

>>>TEAM WHITE:

#19 John Tavares

#32 Matt Halischuk

#36 Anders Lee

#51 Brandon Pirri

#56 Mike Carman

#66 Erik Haula

#74 Nick Oliver

#79 Devante Smith-Pelly

#87 Andrej Nestrasil

#90 Marcus Kruger

#97 Patrick White

#3 Carl Gunnarsson

#24 John Carlson

#40 Aaron Ness

#47 Justin Holl

#55 John Ramage

#65 Cade Fairchild

#73 Brandon Archibald

#39 Chad Johnson

#68 Mike Lee

#95 Dan Dunn

>>>

>>>Those highlighted in blue are NCAA players, and are not allowed more than 48 hours at a time with their respective professional club for training without violating NCAA rules. After their two days in Thunder Bay, they will be assigned to Duluth, Minnesota and continue their week-long training with the Timberwolves minor-league affiliate, the Duluth Pups.

>>>To fill out the roster for days 3-thru-5 will be non-NCAA prospects that participated in the Pre-Draft Prospect Camp.

>>>Although the Timberwolves do have their training facilities on-site at CN Gardens (2 ice surfaces included), the "Teams" are divided up in morning and afternoon sessions. Grey hits the ice on the mornings of 1-3-5, and White on days 2-4. When one Team is on the ice, the other is either doing dryland drills, are in the gym or video reviews.

>>>Just like Training Camp in the fall, this camp will conclude with the Mount McKay run.

The dust has settled...

Thunder Bay, ON- Fourteen picks later, and the Thunder Bay Timberwolves management and scouts can sit back for a moment and take stock in what has been accomplished.
>>>"All in all, we did quite well with getting who we targeted," said Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "Like every year with every club in this league, you of course won't get every single player you wanted. But you shouldn't expect that either. But without moving around throughout the draft like others did. We were realistic in the players that would be there around where we chose, and we went to great lengths to learn as much as we could about everyone of them.
>>>
>>>A brief overview of the 2010 CCHL Entry Draft for the Timberwolves:
>>>
-Normally a club that drafts close to home (i.e. the OHL or Minnesota high schools), two Swedes were taken in the first three picks (Gunnarsson and Kruger).
>>>
-3 players, but 2 sets of teammates taken: Justin Holl/Max Gardiner (Minnetonka High School), and Justin Holl/Erik Haula (USHL's Omaha Lancers).
>>>
-4 High Schoolers: Justin Holl (Minnetonka-MNHS), Joe Basaraba (Shattuck St.Mary's-MNHS), Max Gardiner (Minnetonka-MNHS) and Mark Alt (Cretin-Derham Hall-MNHS).
>>>
-3 players born in the State of Missouri. John Ramage (Chesterfield) and Tony DeHart (Ballwin) grew up and played in the St. Louis area. Mark Alt was born in Kansas City when his dad played football for the Kansas City Chiefs. Alt's hockey background is from the Twin Cities of Minnesota.
>>>
-4 players from the Canadian Hockey League: Devante Smith-Pelly (OHL), Brandon Archibald (OHL), Tony DeHart (OHL) and Brandon Davidson (WHL).
>>>
-Family connections: Max Gardiner's brother, Jake plays for the University of Wisconsin and was drafted by the Wisborg Donuts in 2008. John Ramage's father played in the NHL.
>>>
-Fort Frances-native, Joe Basaraba is from as close to Thunder Bay as any of the 2010 Draft Class. A mere 335 km west.

Too cool to pass by... 'My Home Town'...

7th Round - 146th overall - From the Denver Pioneers...

GOALTENDER
6-3 - 186
Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia
>>>
>>>"Cheverie, or Chevy, as his teammates like to call him, covers the net effectively with his 6’2” 186 lbs frame. He is quite athletic and has above average quickness with good reflexes for a goalie his size. He also likes to challenge shooters and takes an aggressive approach to goaltending." -HockeysFuture.com
>>>The 23-year-old was named player of the year in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association after leading the nation in wins (24) while posting a 2.08 goals-against average, .932 save percentage and six shutouts. Cheverie was also a finalist for the Hobey Award, honouring the top player in Division I men’s hockey.
>>>"We're are extremely pleased to have been able to draft such a high caliber goaltender at that place in the draft," said Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "The NCAA has historically produced some wonderful goaltenders. We just drafted the very best from last season."
>>>With one year left of college eligibility, Cheverie has decided to forgo that final year and turn pro. He is expected to man the crease in Duluth with the Timberwolves 6th round pick, Chad Johnson this upcoming season.
>>>Officially, the 2010 CCHL Entry Draft is complete for Thunder Bay. But the league has decided to award a "bonus" player that was not drafted to all 22 teams.

6th Round - 124th overall - From the Alaska Nanooks...

GOALTENDER
6-3 - 200
Calgary, Alberta
>>>
>>>"Johnson is a goaltender who is very efficient in his body movements and makes tremendous use of his large frame in covering the net. One of the Johnson's greatest attributes is his meticulous and professional approach to his game. He is the consummate student, always searching for ways to play his position better and more effectively. Johnson possesses a great glove, plays his angles quite well and does a very good job of staying with the opposing shooters." -HockeysFuture.com
>>>Johnson is expected to put up a fight for the third spot behind Jonas Hiller and Brian Elliott.

5th Round - 103rd overall - From the Regina Pats...

DEFENSEMAN
6-1 - 190
Taber, Alberta
>>>
>>>"Brandon Davidson is a kid that went undrafted in the WHL due in large part to not being able to play AAA hockey due to family finances," says Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "He's a solid defender that plays smart, moves the puck well and has decent size to keep the opposition in check."
>>>Davidson will take part in the Timberwolves Post-Draft Prospect Camp in Thunder Bay in the coming weeks. From there he will be evaluated and likely re-assigned back to Regina.

5th Round - 102nd overall - From the Omaha Lancers...

LEFT WING
6-0 - 175
Pori, Finland
>>>
>>>"Erik Haula went undrafted in the CCHL last year," says Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "We had him on our list then, but ran out of picks. So needless to say, he's been on our radar for a little while. He had a solid season at Shattuck St. Mary's last season, committed to the University of Minnesota and made the right move by playing this past season in the USHL for the Omaha Lancers. His adjustment to a higher level of competition was swift and he was easily the best player on the ice on the several occasions that we were able to watch him in person. Slick skater, holds the puck well through traffic, excellent shot and plays all zones. An all-around solid hockey player that we'll look forward to developing under the guidance of Don Lucia at Minnesota."

5th Round - 99th overall - From the Wisconsin Badgers...

DEFENSEMAN
6-1 - 190
St. Louis, Missouri
>>>
>>>"A solid defensive defenseman, " said Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "John Ramage punishes the opposition inside his blueline. He's also a very smart player and will not get out of position to make a big hit. His biggest attribute is his patience. He's very calm on the ice. Carries the puck very well. His outlet passes are tape-to-tape. But he can also skate with the puck through traffic and rarely loses the puck. A member of the gold-medal-winning U-18 USA squad this winter, he has tasted success and been a integral in winning. That combined with excellent coaching and training he's recieved at the University of Wisconsin under coach Mike Eaves. We're very happy with the player we got and the one we'll eventually see in the near future."

5th Round - 98th overall - From the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds...

DEFENSEMAN
6-4 - 200
Port Huron, Michigan
>>>
>>>"Brandon Archibald is a physical blueliner that has the size to make it hurt," says Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "Patterns his game after Dion Phaneuf and that's something we look forward to seeing develop. He comes from the Detroit Honeybaked system and it shows. He's a smart player that altough very physical, he does not get himself into trouble by going out of his way to make a hit. Plays honest and forces the oppostion to adjust to his pairing being on the ice."
>>>Archibald will take part in the Post-Draft Prospect Camp in Thunder Bay later this month. From there it will be decided if he returns to Sault Ste. Marie or the other side of Lake Superior.

5th Round - 93rd overall - From Cretin-Derham Hall High School (MN)...

DEFENSEMAN
6-3 - 200
Kansas City, Missouri
>>>
>>>"Mark Alt has what scouts are looking for, a big man that is a good skater. Alt is a smart player that makes life difficult for his opponent, he will never be accused of playing a glamorous game, instead he hunkers down and plays smart, solid defense" -mnhockeyprospects.com
>>>For the second year in a row, the Timberwolves have plucked a top-notch high school quarterback from the State of Minnesota. Like Anders Lee, Alt had to decide between football and hockey and chose the better option.
>>>Mark's dad John played 12 seasons in the NFL.
>>>Alt will attend the Post-Draft Prospect Camp later this month in Thunder Bay. From there he will return home and play for the University of Minnesota in the fall.

4th Round - 72nd overall - From Mississauga St. Michael's Majors...

LEFT WING
6-0 - 211
Scarborough, Ontario
>>>
>>>"He's a solid kid and works hard. He gets involved and shows a willingness to battle. He's got a real good shot and can get it off quickly. He gets himself into the slot and has a real good wrist shot. He goes to the net and likes to bang in rebounds, and that's a big part of where you see him scoring his goals from, low slot." -Yahoo!

4th Round - 71st overall - From Minnetonka High School (MN)...

CENTRE
6-3 - 180
Edina, Minnesota
>>>
>>>"Gardiner is considered one of the premier players in Minnesota High School Hockey. Gardiner has good, but not breakaway speed, skates with a wide base which gives him superior balance. He has good offensive instincts, displaying good judgment with and without the puck. He has showed a willingness to get physical and battle for the puck in the trenches." -mnhockeyprospects.com

3rd Round - 66th overall - From Shattuck St. Mary's (MN)...

FORWARD
6-2 - 190
Fort Frances, Ontario
>>>
>>>"If you like prospects that play physical, you will love Joe Basaraba, he makes it a point to play the body. The Shattuck St. Mary’s center has prototypical size, great hands, and a heavy shot. His play has progressed well over the course of the season and there is no telling where his development ceiling will be. Basaraba is very agile for his 6’2 frame, moves as if he is much more compact. He seems to read the play very well, finding open ice when there is little available." -mnhockeyprospects.com

3rd Round - 65th overall - From Djurgården...

FORWARD
6-0 - 180
Stockholm, Sweden
>>>
>>>"Krüger is an exceptionally skilled playmaker with elite hockey sense. He likes to set up plays and find his teammates with tape-to-tape passes. Has become much stronger which has improved his game, although he still could use additional strength and muscles. Works well in all three zones and has leadership qualities." -Eliteprospects.com

3rd Round - 58th overall - From Minnetonka High School (MN)...

DEFENSEMAN
6-1 - 178
Tonka Bay, Minnesota
>>>
>>>With their second pick of the 2010 CCHL Entry Draft, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves select, from Minnetonka High School, Justin Holl.
>>>Holl is a 6'2" defenseman who plays a smooth, puck-moving game. The Tonka Bay, Minnesota-native completed his senior season at Minnetonka as a captain with a trip to the famed Minnesota State Hockey Tournament. Upon the completion of his high school career, Holl joined the USHL's Omaha Lancers for the remainder of their regular season and playoffs.
>>>Holl is expected to play all of next season with the Lancers, and has commited to the University of Minnesota for the 2011-12 season.
>>>"Justin's skills as a offensive-defenseman are something that any team covets," said Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "He thinks the game at an elite level, has tasted success at the high school ranks. Has obviously shined in front of the big crowds at the tournament. We're thrilled to have drafted him and to continue his development at a stellar program in Omaha and then on to Minnesota. He is in good hands."
>>>The Timberwolves have two more picks in the third round at 65 and 66.