THUNDER BAY – It is a sure sign of spring. The Thunder Bay Chill are about to hit the field. Coach Colistro will step on to the field Saturday morning with a different view than what he has seen for the past four years. “Lots of new faces and a little younger than usual” commented Colistro.
The Thunder Bay Chill will enter their 12th season of play Saturday morning with only 6 players returning from the 2011 line up. The upside is three of them are key players in the back starting with last year’s PDL Goalkeeper of the year Stephen Paterson (CAN). Joining him in the back is Zetroy Robertson (JAM) and Sicelio Buthelezi (SAF). Midfielder Fernando Alvarez (USA), Gavin Hoy (CAN), and Jonathan Czaczkowski (CAN) will also be returning.
The Thunder Bay Chill had another successful season in 2011 losing out in the semi-finals to eventual champions Kitsap Pumas. That visit was the 3rd in 5 years for the Chill which has set some high standards and expectations for the new players coming into camp this weekend.
The Chill will finalize their roster to 23 players as per league rules. They will use next weekend’s exhibition games vs. Winnipeg Lions as a final test for players who are expected to make the roster. The Chill will face the Lions on Saturday May 19th at 7:30pm and then again on Sunday May 20th at 1:00pm. Both games are set for Chapples Park. Thunder Bay will open at home this year with their first set of league games on May 25th and 26th at Chapples Park vs. WSA Winnipeg. Chill went 3 wins and 1 loss last year to the league newcomers. Both games are set for 7:30pm kick-off.
Other Notes:
The Chill has moved their weekend training camp to the following:
Saturday May 12 – 10am – Noon at Chapples Park
Saturday May 12 – 6pm – 8pm at Fort William Stadium
Sunday May 13 – 10am – Noon at Fort William Stadium
Sunday May 13 – 6pm – 8pm at Fort William Stadium
Season tickets are now on sale until Friday May 18th, 2012. Tickets can be purchased at our office between 5:30pm – 7:30pm on Tuesday and Thursday’s. For more information on seating chart and ticket prices, visit our website at www.thunderbaychill.com.