HOME OPENER LINE-UP CARD SUBMITTED

Thunder Bay, ON- On the eve of the 2010-11 CCHL season, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves have released their line-up for their Home Opener against the 2-time CCHL Cup Champions, North Dakota Ibex.
>>>Up front there are no surprises.
>>>Marc Savard will centre the top line with Marian Gaborik and Patrick Sharp. The second line will start the season with 2009 first overall pick, John Tavares centring Simon Gagne and Ales Hemsky. Newly married, Mike Fisher pivots the third line with Antti Miettinen and TJ Oshie. Finally, rookie Matt Duchene will centre the fourth line with Milan Lucic and Colby Armstrong.
>>>"We're are finally seeing the face of this club come to life," said Timberwolves GM, Blake Wendt. "We have lines with roles filled with players that fit that designated role. We are fast up front. We are abrasive and we have legitmate scorers with legitimate linemates to set them up."
>>>On the back end, captain Keith Ballard partners with Anton Volchenkov on the top pairing. Douglas Murray and Erik Johnson anchor the second pairing, and Nick Schultz with Carl Gunnarsson shore up the third pairing.
>>>"Our blueline looks very versitile this season," said Wendt. "I like the way we're set-up to start the season. We've got guys that will carry and drive the puck, guys that will step up and force the opposition to earn everything inside the blueline, and we're confident that we can do it all with every pairing."
>>>In goal, Brian Elliott solidified his position as the number one with a solid pre-season. Solidified it for at least the first game. Last years team MVP, Jonas Hiller will start the season on the bench.
>>>"Jonas has started off a little sluggish and Brian took the reigns," said goaltending coach, Felix Potvin. "We fully expect the competition to continue throughout the season. It may not be game-to-game, but they will both see their share of games."
>>>With Tavares, Duchene and Gunnarsson in the line-up, that means Thunder Bay will roll with three rookies expected to contribute early and often. It's also the first Blake Wendt-drafted players to start for the Timberwolves.
>>>"It's rewarding," said Wendt. "We've completely turned around the identity of this club. That turn around starts first in the draft. It may have taken a little longer to get these first guys up, but it looks well worth the wait. I'm excited about this season and the overall future of the Thunder Bay Timberwolves."