STATEMENT MADE: WOLVES ALL IN!

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Niagara Falls, Ont.- The trade winds have been rather quite in the CCHL of late. A few minor deals and players being waived and picked up.
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That all changed on Saturday and Sunday.
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Clearly in the hunt for their first ever championship, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves splashed and made a big wave inside two weeks before the trade deadline.
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With the defending champion-Crusaders seemingly packing it in for their chances at a back-to-back, the Timberwolves pounced on their long-time foe's offer. Acquiring right-winger, Marian Hossa and stalwart blueliner, Toni Lydman in exchange for right-wingers Martin Erat and Joffrey Lupul.
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Thunder Bay's general manager sees a huge improvement in Hossa over Erat [despite exact point production], and the obvious added depth on defense for what is hopefully a long playoff run.
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"Hossa is a two-hundred-foot, every situation player that we are thrilled to have added to our lineup," said Blake Wendt fresh off arriving in Niagara Falls for tomorrow's tilt against the Thunder. "He does everything right, and at an elite level. In regards to Toni Lydman, we get one of the most underrated defensemen in the game today. He's a vet that's been around, knows the game and knows how to execute near flawless positioning every shift. A cerebral player that doesn't get near the credit he deserves. Blocks shots, carries a heavy one of his own and is just simply a guy you want on your side when you're going after the ultimate prize."
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Both Hossa and Lydman will join the Timberwolves in Niagara Falls. Hossa will wear #13 and Lydman #32.
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If that deal wasn't enough to send shivers down the backs of the league's elite, Wendt's BlackBerry was always within fingers reach, and another blockbuster deal was on the horizon.
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Since taking over the Keflavik Whalers, Brian Senecal stood pat and felt out the league before making any moves. Late Saturday, early Sunday a deal was finally struck with the more than willing Timberwolves.
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Thunder Bay-native, and older brother of Timberwolves defenseman Marc Staal, Eric Staal was acquired with defensmen James Wisniewski and Greg Zanon from the Whalers for third-string goaltender Brian Elliot, defensemen Anton Volchenkov and Carl Gunnarsson.
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Staal scored his 13th power play goal on Sunday in his final game in a Whalers uniform. One more than his new teammate, Sidney Crosby for tops in the league. Wisniewski is fifth in the league in points from a defenseman with 39, and Zanon is tied for 8th in the league in blocked shots. Joining Francois Beauchemin and Toni Lydman as one of three on the Thunder Bay roster in the top-10 in that department.
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"We have some concerns about the durability of Crosby. Bringing Staal in not only elevates those concerns, but adds to our supreme depth down the middle with one of the all-around best centres in the league. Eric is not only a vocal leader, but also one that leads by example. We look forward to adding him as a 1-2 punch with the man-advantage and up on our top line when we decide to sit Sid."
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"Wisniewski gives us another added punch to our blueline. He's a physical force in front of his net, and I know Hank [Henrik Lundqvist] and [James] Reimer will appreciate that. He also brings with him a sound defensive game and can skate with the puck or distribute it out for an offensive push."
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"Zanon is someone we've coveted for along time. We've made multiple offers for him when he played in Linz, and were outbid this summer when he was on the open market. Greg is a rock-solid defenseman that is fearless in his shot blocking abilities and is another sound defensive defenseman to add to our overall depth."
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"Overall I am ecstatic about the past 24 hours. We were serious about our intentions for this season before these moves. But with them, we are that much closer to achieving our goals. This group did not come without sending out alot of talent for their return. We moved some guys we were not actively shopping or intending to move. But in the end, we accomplished what we set out to do."
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Eric Staal will wear #12, Wisniewski #21 and Zanon #5. They will also be in Monday's lineup against the Niagara Falls Thunder.