TORONTO LYNX MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LYNX JUNIOR ALUMNI FIRST TO SIGN FOR 2007 SEASON/ LYNX & LADY LYNX TO HOST OPEN TRIALS
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2007(Toronto, CANADA) The Toronto Lynx announced today that five graduates of the Toronto Lynx Jr’s Super-Y League/Academy program have became the first players to sign with the team for the inaugural PDL season in 2007. Defender/midfielder Chris DeAbreu, defender Erik DiLorenzo, striker Frank Jonke, defender John Jonke and midfielder Taylor McNamara will return home from their various American university clubs for the summer to join the Lynx squad this spring, moving up the ranks from the Super-Y League program to the senior men’s PDL team.
DeAbreu, DiLorenzo, McNamara and John Jonke made up the core of a highly successful Super-Y team for the Lynx Jr’s, which achieved great success throughout their seasons together. The foursome reached the finals of the prestigious Dallas Cup with their U19 squad in 2005, and twice won their Super-Y League Division titles, as U17’s and U19’s. The U17 squad reached the Super-Y League North American semi-finals in 2004. Frank Jonke, the elder brother of John, suited up for the Lynx Jr’s for two seasons, one each at U17 and U19, and was the leading scorer for the teams each season, and was part of the squad that reached the Super-Y League National Semi-Finals.
Pickering’s DeAbreu just completed his second season at Saint Peter’s College in New Jersey, where he earned all-conference honours for his stellar play. The versatile defender/midfielder, whose father Paul, is a coach in the Toronto Lynx Academy, was a star at St. Mary’s CSS in Pickering alongside the Jonke brothers, before heading off to the U.S. on scholarship.
Both Frank and John Jonke lead their squad at the University of Louisville. Frank, 22, lead the Cardinals in scoring during his junior season and earned 2nd Team All-Big East Honours in 2006. John, 20, joined his brother in 2005, and has started 34 of 36 matches during his first two seasons. The two towers will give the Lynx a strong presence in both the front and the back, with the 6’3 striker Frank set to terrorize PDL defenders with his height, strength and speed, while the 6’2 defender John will make life difficult for opposition forwards in the defensive third of the field.
Team-mates DiLorenzo and McNamara just completed their sophomore seasons at the University of Albany. Bolton’s DiLorenzo earned Rookie of the Year honours for the Great Danes in 2005, after graduating from Robert Hall CSS. McNamara, from Mississauga, will join his father Glen with the Lynx, who serves as goalkeeping coach with the fledgling PDL side.
Lynx Head Coach Duncan Wilde is ecstatic with the signings, saying “I’m overjoyed that our Lynx Jr’s have returned home to become the first players signed for the PDL squad. It justifies the hard work that we all have put into developing and growing the Lynx Jr’s and Academy programs. The PDL team gives these great players a chance to come back from their schools and play for their hometown side during the summer.”
The Lynx will kick off their inaugural PDL season on Saturday May 12th at 4:00 PM when the West Michigan Edge visit Centennial Park Stadium. The match will be the second-half of a doubleheader, with the Lady Lynx tackling the Sudbury Canadians at 1:00 PM in their W-League opener. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Lynx ticketline at 416-251-4625 x 31.
LYNX AND LADY LYNX TO HOST OPEN TRIALS
In preparation for their respective 2007 seasons, the Toronto Lynx and Lady Lynx will hold open trials for elite amateur players on March 14, 2007 at Astra Sportsplex in Vaughan. The Lynx coaching staff will be on hand will evaluate interested male players from 12 PM – 2 PM, while the Lady Lynx coaching staff will be taking over from 2 PM -4 PM for female players.
Experienced players, particularly those with college or university experience, should contact Rob Irwin at 416-251-4625 x 23 to register for the trials. Space is limited and interested players must register prior to the trials. Registration forms are available on www.lynxsoccer.com.
SUPER Y-LEAGUE CORNER
The Toronto Lynx Academy is in the process of finalizing their rosters for the upcoming season. Openings are still available for the U15 and U16 Girls Lynx Jr’s playing in the 2007 Super-Y League season. Interested players should contact Duncan Wilde at 905-469-8783 or duncan@premiersocceracademy.com.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
ROB IRWIN, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, TORONTO LYNX SOCCER CLUB
416-251-4625 ext. 23
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