Chris Handsor's Return a Triple Threat for the Denver Dynamite
October 30, 2009 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Denver Dynamite News Release
The Denver Dynamite are pleased to announce that they have brought back former 3 times MISL Champion and MVP Chris Handsor as both Player-Coach and Youth Director for their new Dynamite Academy that is to be held in conjunction with the Highlands Ranch Community Association. Stepping down for personal reasons, is Coach John Wells, after staying with the organization through the summer as the head coach of the Dynamite Reserves and most of the pre-season for the Dynamite. Per club policy, terms of the deals will not be disclosed.
As a player, this will be Handsor's 14th season overall and 2nd straight with the Dynamite. He led the team last year in total points and assists (22 goals and 26 assists for 48 points in 17 games).
Chris started his professional indoor soccer career with the Cleveland Crunch of the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) in 1995-96 where he won his first championship with the Crunch that season. Handsor achieved a career-high 36 goals and 26 assists in 42 games as a member of the Philadelphia Kixx during their 2001-02 campaign. He then returned to Philadelphia for their championship season in 2002-03 and was named MVP of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Championship Series. He won his third MISL championship as a member of the Baltimore Blast the following season.
In all, he has appeared in 336 professional games tallying 244 goals and 199 assists.
"As Technical Director I am excited that we were able to get Chris back. It was something I was focused on for the entire off season and its a relief that our hard work has paid off." Chuck Estrada.
As a coach, Handsor holds a 9-5 record with the club; including regular season and open cup matches. He took over the Dynamite after their 0-2 start with coach Mike Thompson last season; bringing them to 7-6 in the regular season before having to step down to address some family obligations (returning as a player for the Dynamite in the 2009 playoffs).
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to coach another season of professional soccer in Denver! I am excited and anxious to get to work to improve this season from the last. We have great group of talented players with a full season behind them. Our success will come from commitment and a lot of hard work!" Chris Handsor.
Joining Chris Handsor on the bench will be Assistant Coach Mark Perdew and Goalkeeper Coach / Technical Director Chuck Estrada.
Perdew has been the assistant coach for the PASL-Premier's Golden Strikers for the past two years. Mark has coaching experience as the head coach of both the semi-pro Denver Kicker's men's and women's teams that competed in the MPSL and WPSL leagues respectively. An All-Star in 1992, Mark also draws his professional indoor and outdoor soccer experience from the 3 time champions(Outdoors '89, '90 / Indoors '90-91) Colorado Comets in the United Sates Interregional Soccer League (USISL) as a player from 1989-2001.
Estrada took over as interim head coach with Handsor's departure last season; winning 2 of the last 3 games to claim the final playoff berth to only fall short 9-10 in a 4th quarter comeback attempt against Tigres Dorados MRCI Oaxaca. Chuck also has a lot of indoor soccer experience under his belt playing for the Colorado Springs Rattlers/X-Men in the Southwest Indoor Soccer League (SWISL) from '96-2000 as a player and co-coach. In 2000, he was drafted by the Utah Freezz in the World Indoor Soccer League (WISL), unfortunately Chuck never got to see the field as a serious heart condition was discovered during one of his team physicals. Still his respect and passion for the game drives on.
"As Chris' co-coach and interim coach last season, I cannot express the amount that I learned both about the game and myself while along side him. It will be a privilege once again to be on the bench next to Chris. It was a winning combination last year and I know that we can continue what was started." Chuck Estrada.
The Dynamite will look to capturing their first division and PASL-Pro championship titles when the 2nd season of Dynamite Arena Soccer in Denver gets underway in November. Single game, family four game packages and season tickets are on sale online at www.dynamitesoccer.com.
Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from October 30, 2009
- Chris Handsor's Return a Triple Threat for the Denver Dynamite - Denver Dynamite
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