THUNDER BAY – For better or worse, a new-look Thunder Bay Chill squad is set to embark on yet another Premier Development League championship bid.
Coach Giovanni Petraglia on Friday unveiled his 22-man squad, a roster that has seen plenty of turn-over since the team fell in last year’s PDL final to the Charlotte Eagles.
Not to worry, it’s pretty much an annual rite of spring for the Chill, who regularly scour the world for talent, a formula that’s seen the team make the playoffs in 10 of the past 11 seasons, make four trips to the PDL final and take home the 2008 league championship.
It’s no different this year, said injured captain Mitchell Osmond, the reigning defender of the year who’s expected to miss this weekend’s exhibition tilts against the Winnipeg Lions and next weekend’s season opener on the road against WSA Winnipeg recovering from ankle surgery.
So far, so good, the Australian import said.
“This team is good enough to win it (all). It’s as simple as that. We’ve strengthened in areas. Obviously last year we had a great team in all areas. But I think at least for the fans, we’re going to be more enjoyable to watch,” Osmond said.
“Some of the guys we’ve brought in, like Jorge Guinovart and Sota (Sergio Campano Franco) are very exciting guys to watch, very possession-minded as well.”
The Chill brass brought back a solid core of talent from last year’s squad, including former PDL most valuable player Sullivan Silva, midfielder Pedro Adan and defender Luaca Mastrantonio.
Gone are Brandon Swartzendruber, the team’s all-time leading scorer, defender Zetroy Robertson, midfielders Chris Makengo, Eddie Sanchez and Abraham Villon.
The rebuild starts in net, where Daniel Elias has given way to American Matthew Mozynski and Canadian Connor Vander Weghe.
Other newcomers include Spanish forward Marc Fernandez, British defender Nathan Heath and midfielders Ahmed Mohammed and Marco Kuemmerle arrive from Jordan and Germany respectively.
“We had a few players decide to go a different route … so we needed to change something, but I believe the quality is the same,” Petraglia said.
“I believe in certain parts of the field we’re actually better. We have a few more players from our academy, but they’re ready to go and I believe we’re going to see that this weekend. It’s going to be a good benchmark.”
The local contingent is led by returnees Evan Sawula and Nick Chiappetta. They`ll be joined by Devon Jorgenson, Kieran Ezzard, whose brother Liam was on last year`s Chill team, Cameron Pytyck and Hammarskjold Vikings star Devon Hoier.
The 18-year-old Hoier said making the roster out of training camp is a dream come true.
“It means a lot because last year I was the captain of the academy team and was working for it all year to get on (the team) and have Giovanni ask me to play. It means a lot for me to put on the jersey and play with them.
Game time on Saturday night is 7:30 p.m. at Fort William Stadium. Sunday’s game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.
