Thunder Bay, ON- After the first seven days of Training Camp at Canadian National Gardens, the players were given Sunday off and the Timberwolves staff was given the task of re-assigning many throughout the organization.>>>On Monday the hammer was dropped, and alot more elbow room was made in the dressing rooms.
>>>Up front, Patrick Maroon and Justin Mercier return to Duluth for another full season with the Pups. Joining them were Mike Carman, Ryan Thang Colin Greening, who joined late last season after completing their NCAA hockey careers. Also sent to Duluth were OHL-graduate, A.J. Jenks and Brandon Pirri who this summer elected not to return to R.P.I.
>>>Sent to the junior ranks were WHLers Josh Birkholz (Everett) and David Toews (Brandon). Both decided over the summer to leave their NCAA schools.
>>>Sent back to the OHL were Michael Latta and Taylor Beck (both to Guelph), and Devante Smith-Pelly (Mississauga).
>>>To the QMJHL, Louis Leblanc begins his CHL career with Montreal, and Andrej Nestrasil returns to Victoriaville.
>>>On the back-end, Tyler Eckford, Adam Comrie, Ian Cole, Johan Motin, Jonas Ahnelov, Josh Godfrey, Chris Summers, Colby Robak and Theo Ruth were re-assigned to Duluth.
>>>Returned to their CHL teams were Brandon Davidson (WHL Regina), Brandon Archibald (OHL Soo) and Tony DeHart (OHL Oshawa).
>>>In goal, Marc Cheverie and Martin Jones were sent to Duluth.
>>>With so many young players leaving Thunder Bay, there are still several fighting for roster spots or simply giving the coaching staff reason to keep them around for awhile longer.
>>>John Tavares and Matt Duchene are all but assured their names will be in the opening night media guide. But guys like Matt Halischuk are trying to catch on with the practise squad, and Magnus Paajarvi wants to soak in the pro-life before ultimately being sent to Duluth for his first season in North America.
>>>On the blueline is where things get very interesting. After losing his entire sophomore season to a freak accident, knee injury, Erik Johnson is back and likely earning a top-pairing spot with captain, Keith Ballard. The second pairing is up in the air. The ever-reliable, Nick Schultz looks good their with Anton Volchenkov. But Douglas Murray and his bruising game is going to force his way on the ice more often in tight games. The seventh spot is clearly, very much, an open competition. The signing of veteren, Adam Foote over the summer suggested he was at least getting that spot. But 2010 draftee, Carl Gunnarsson (pictured) has impressed and looks to at the very least earned his way onto the pre-season roster over Foote. Others fighting for that one opening are rookies, Jason Garrison and John Carlson. Both have raised eyebrows and are also in the game.
>>>One disappointing and expensive development in camp has been the downgrade of the twelve-million-dollar, Sheldon Souray. Souray has not impressed and has likely played his way off the Timberwolves roster. With two years left on his three-year contract, he is unlikely to be moved and looks to be on his way to Duluth.
>>>Training Camp will continue through October 1st when hopefully the pre-season games will begin.
