THUNDER BAY – SPORTS – Thunder Bay Chill Head Coach Giovanni Petraglia has officially stepped down as the USL2 Head Coach.
Petraglia spent 10 years with the first team, six as Head Coach with an impressive record of 43 regular season wins and two great play-off runs in 2013 and 2017 under his guidance. In addition, longtime assistant coach Stefano Cristalli will not return as the assistant for his eighth season and will continue to pursue his coaching career in Italy.
“Ten years is a very long time and I feel privileged to have spent those with this outstanding organization. The memories are countless and impossible to collect. Our runs of 2013 and 2017 are certainly among them, despite the unfortunate outcome in Austin and Charlotte,” stated Petraglia.
Giovanni was hired by the Club in 2012 as a youth coach before stepping into the men’s program. Gio was heavily involved as a youth coach and technical director while leading the USL2 team. In addition, Gio guided the Club through the pandemic ensuring all players had programming online and at home.
“I’d like to thank the board, the kids, the parents, the players, the fans and the entire community for welcoming me from day one and for making me feel part of this special family. A particular thank you to all my colleagues, with whom I was very lucky to share the field throughout those years. I will treasure everything I learned from each one of them,” states Giovanni.
The Club would like to thank Giovanni and Stefano for their commitment, loyalty, and service to the Club and all its members. We wish them both the best as they pursue the next chapter of soccer.
“I would like to thank Executive Director, Tony Colistro for giving me this unique opportunity. I feel extremely fortunate to have crossed paths with him who served not only as my mento but I consider a close friend,” concluded Giovanni.
Chill management will be announcing the new coaching staff for 2023 in mid-February.
USL League Two is the leader in pre-professional soccer in North America with over 120 team to participate in 2023. The League holds a vital role as it continues to provide the elite platform for those pursuing professional careers domestically and internationally. League Two is the defined and proven pathway for players to progress to the ranks of professional soccer, while its clubs’ become fixtures in the communities where they operate.
