TORONTO LYNX MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TALENTED BURLINGTON RESIDENT ADDED TO 2004 ROSTER!

Thursday, March 18, 2004 (TORONTO, ON) - Burlington resident, Igor Prostran, is first new Canadian signing of the 2004 season adding strong creative play in the midfield. Prostran returns to Canadian soccer after spending the last two seasons competing in his native Yugoslavia for Remont in 2002 and Borac Cacak in 2003, where he helped the club earn promotion to the 1st Division. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to play professionally in Canada,” said the Kinesiology Student at McMaster University in Hamilton. “It has always been a dream to be a professional soccer player and to be able to play so close to home makes it that much more special. Although I am new to the team, I hope that I can make a difference and help make 2004 a successful season for the Lynx”.

Prostran attended Burlington Central High School and grew up competing for the Oakville Blue Devils where he helped capture a National Championship and an Ontario Cup in 1998 to go along with five OYSL titles. His former coach with the Blue Devils, Phil Iafrate, was a big part of Prostran’s development and declares, “I am thrilled to see my former captain join the Lynx”.

“Igor is our first Canadian new signing. He is very high quality and has a great future ahead of him,” said Lynx head coach, Duncan Wilde, who has been working with Prostran for almost one year since his return from playing professionally in Europe. Dr. Robert Gringmuth, the Lynx Medical Staff Coordinator, has done a wonderful job of rehabilitating Prostran following a knee operation last fall. “Igor has made dramatic improvement with every session and is almost back to peak fitness. He will be 100% ready for the new season and is extremely motivated to do well,” Wilde continues. “Igor can operate anywhere in the midfield and has excellent vision and creativity, passes the ball very well, creates good space for himself and seems to be continuously available”.

MISSISSAUGA NATIVE IS BACK FOR 2004!

In an off-season that has seen much turnover for the Lynx, cornerstone Canadian midfielder, Shawn Faria, has agreed to return to Toronto for 2004. The Mississauga native has provided hard work and tough tackling in his two seasons with the Lynx, anchoring the attack and protecting the goal in his defensive midfield role. The ever-popular Faria will also be welcomed back for his off-the-field talents as a key community ambassador in delivering the highly popular soccer school clinics and educational presentations on lifestyle issues across GTA schools. Although a foot injury limited him to only 11 games in 2003, the former St. Martin’s High School student and Oakville Soccer Club product has rehabbed vigorously over the off-season and is poised for an exceptional season.

The 2003 Lynx Public Relations Award winner says, “I'm looking forward to the new season. With a new coaching staff and a lot of new players, the season is looking very bright. Personally, I was disappointed with my 2003 season because of my injury, but I'm looking to start the season off on a good note. I'm coming into the pre-season in the best shape of my life and plan to be a major part of the team’s success in making a run for the playoffs.”

“We are very excited to have Shawn back for 2004,” states Lynx Head Coach Duncan Wilde. “He is healthy and motivated to have a great year. Having spent a lot of time working with Shawn through the Toronto Lynx Premier Soccer Academy over the off-season, I know that he has both the ability and personality to be a leader on this team. With all the changes that have taken place with the Lynx this off-season, Shawn’s experience, leadership and ability will be essential for this Club to reach the post-season.”

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
DAVID NUTT -- MEDIA RELATIONS, TORONTO LYNX

416-251-4625, extension 30

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