Stepen Paterson Nolan Intermoia Marcos Silva Wilson Neto Anthony Putrus
April 12, 2009 (Thunder Bay, ON) — The Thunder Bay Chill is pleased to announce the return of five starters for the 2009 season. Expected to return to defend the 2008 PDL Championship title are captains Wilson Neto and Anthony Putrus. Also confirming their return is star local keeper Stephen Paterson, Marcos Silva and Nolan Intermoia. All players are pending USL and CSA approval.
Wilson Neto, who lives in the city helping direct the Chill youth reserve club is set to return for another season. His leadership in the back as well as that of goalkeeper Stephen Paterson will certainly carry the defensive strengths that led the Chill to its first PDL championship in 2008.
Two key players of the 08 team are also expected to return this season. Anthony Putrus and Nolan Intermoia will arrive to Thunder Bay shortly in order to prepare for chill training camp which will commence on May 8, 2009. The dangerous midfielders will be a force to contend with in the PDL as their dominance last season both defensively and offensively sparked one of the best Chill campaigns in franchise history. Marcos Silva, the nifty Brazilian forward will return to add to the offensive force the Chill displayed last season. The Chill finished top 3 defensively and offensively last season and is hoping to recapture that form in hopes to defend the title.
Many new players are expected at training camp this season to replace many of the key players that were lost from the championship team. “Winning is a great thing. The unfortunate part of it is that you lose great players to pro contracts,” replied Colistro. “In addition, we are very fortunate to return five key players, which gives us the base to rebuild for the future,” added Colistro.
The team will kick off training camp on May 8th before heading to Ottawa for a pre-season tournament with London, Toronto, and Ottawa making a PDL Ontario showdown. The team will then return home for a pair of exhibition games against the Winnipeg Sons of Italy on May 23 & 24th. It will then fly out to Denver to face Real Colorado for their first two league games on May 29th and 30th.
The league opener is set for June 12th at Chapples Park vs. the Des Moines Menace. Season tickets are on sale for $75.00 and can be purchased at the Performance Kia Soccer Plex by calling 623-5911 or on-line at thunderbaychill.com
