WOLVES KEEP BUILDING AS DRAFT CONTINUES



Casey Cizikas


Thunder Bay, Ont.- There was no waiting in the third round of the 2011 CCHL Entry Draft for the Timberwolves. With the first pick at #45, Thunder Bay reached across Lake Superior and drafted defenseman, Ryan Sproul from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
>>>The first-year OHLer developed nicely for Soo despite the team's 24-36-0-8 record. Leading the defensemen with 14 goals 19 assists for 33 points.
>>>"Sproul is raw, but his game has got a huge upside," said Timberwolves general manager Blake Wendt. "He's got really good size [6'4" 185 lbs] and patrols the blueline like a vet. He carries the puck with confidence, is smooth gets what needs to be done in a clean fashion."
>>>Four picks later, the Timberwolves took second-year draft eligible centre, Casey Cizikas. Captain of the Memorial Cup runner-up, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, Cizikas completed his fourth year in the OHL third on his team in points and made a huge impression on Thunder Bay's brass at the World Junior Champion in January.
>>>"Absolutely we were sold on Cizikas back in Buffalo," said Wendt. "The passion, heart and enthusiasm was fun to watch. He plays a fast, hard game and very responsible in his own zone. Something we feel is huge in making that transition from juniors to the pro game."
>>>Sharing the stage with Cizikas was another Soo Greyhound. Centre, Nick Cousins was taken with the 50th pick.
>>>"We spent alot of time watching players in the OHL, and in particular the Greyhounds. What we saw in Cousins was like Sproul, very impressive. Their entire team struggled, and yet these guys rose above that came away with pretty impressive seasons. Cousins is a shifty player that is a great set-up guy. Despite his size, he plays an abrassive game and gets under other guys' skin. We love that part of his game. Takes opponents out of it mentally, then can skate away and focus on his own. Still raw, but we like the upside."
>>>As the third round continues, Thunder Bay will sit back and wait to again open up the next round at 67and then later in the fourth round at 84.