TRAINING CAMP '10

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.

Thunder Bay, ON- Canadian National Gardens is the place to be if you're a prospect of the Thunder Bay Timberwolves and you're looking to make an impression on the people that will decide where you'll spend the next 9-10 months.
>>>Rookie Camp opens today and includes a weeks worth of intense on-ice drills and dryland exercises and ends with the Mount McKay run. A grueling run up the highest point in Thunder Bay, and will be repeated for the lucky few that make it through Training Camp on October 1st.
>>>This camp's roster does not include all of the Timberwolves' prospects. Some not here will still be invited to Training Camp. While others that are here, will not. This camp is meant for the newly drafted, recently acquired or players that are fresh out of college.
>>>
>>>Goaltenders:
#37 Marc Cheverie . #39 Chad Johnson . #62 Martin Jones . #84 Marco Cousineau
>>>
>>>Defensemen:
#2 Jason Garrison . #8 Carl Gunnarsson . #34 John Carlson . #38 Brandon Davidson . #54 Tony DeHart . #57 Oliver Ekman-Larsson . #73 Brandon Archibald . #77 Ian Cole . #93 Chris Summers . #96 Theo Ruth
>>>
>>>Forwards:
#9 Matt Duchene . #19 John Tavares . #32 Matt Halischuk . #50 Michael Latta . #51 Brandon Pirri . #63 Ryan Thang . #67 Taylor Beck . #75 Louis Leblanc . #79 Devante Smith-Pelly . #82 Josh Birkholz . #83 David Toews . #86 Colin Greening . #87 Andrej Nestrasil . #88 Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson . #90 Marcus Kruger

>>>>
Thunder Bay, ON- With the Entry Draft long over and the prospect camps complete for the summer, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves have finalized the 2010 Pre-Season Prospect Rankings.
>>>With 2009 first overall pick, John Tavares and third overall pick Matt Duchene holding down the top-2 seats, the rest of the 59 prospects now have an idea where they stand in the overall picture of the Timberwolves depth pool.
>>>"We hope that this will motivate some of the lower ranked guys to want to move up and be an impact player in Thunder Bay," said Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "This should be something for everyone of these young men to want to better themselves."
>>>Without further adieu, the rankings...
>>>
1-John Tavares
2-Matt Duchene
3-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
4-John Carlson
5-Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson
6-Louis Leblanc
7-Danny Kristo
8-Ian Cole
9-Carl Gunnarsson
10-Colby Robak
11-Zach Budish
12-Tayler Beck
13-Marcus Kruger
14-Chris Summers
15-Brandon Pirri
16-Chad Johnson
17-Matt Halischuk
18-Jason Garrison
19-Andrej Nestrasil
20-Justin Mercier
21-Tyler Eckford
22-Anders Lee
23-Patrick Maroon
24-Martin Jones
25-Adam Comrie
26-AJ Jenks
27-Cade Fairchild
28-Aaron Ness
29-Marc Cheverie
30-Mike Lee
31-Justin Holl
32-Ben Blood
33-Ryan Thang
34-Michael Latta
35-Erik Haula
36-Joe Basaraba
37-Marco Cousineau
38-Teddy Ruth
39-Jonas Ahnelov
40-Max Gardiner
41-Devante Smith-Pelly
42-Mike Carman
43-John Ramage
44-Colin Greening
45-Josh Birkholz
46-Dan Dunn
47-Patrick White
48-Johan Motin
49-Jay Barriball
50-Nico Sacchetti
51-Mark Alt
52-Brandon Archibald
53-Brett Hextall
54-Brandon Davidson
55-Jake Hansen
56-David Toews
57-Justin Jokinen
58-Jeff Foss
59-Tony DeHart
60-Josh Godfrey
61-Nick Oliver
>>>
>>>The Timberwolves plan to release an updated ranking for mid-season (after the World Junior Championships), an end of season and this pre-season list every year.

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.