Thunder ink two new players

Published on February 18, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


St. Paul, Minn. (Wednesday, February 18, 2004) — The Minnesota Thunder announced today two new players who have signed for the 2004 season. The Indiana Blast's 2003 MVP Godfrey Tenoff joins the Thunder as a midfielder and defender Kevin Friedland joins the Thunder from the Kansas City Wizards.

Having played the second most minutes in the A-league for the 2003 season, Tenoff, 25, joins the Thunder at 5'9", weighing 165lbs. Hailing from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Tenoff attended the University of Dayton where he was nominated to the All-Atlantic 10 Conference Team for two seasons. He last played midfielder for the Indiana Blast where in 2002 he played the most minutes on the team with 2331, and his minutes played in 2003 rose over 2600. Last year Tenoff finished with 13 points on four goals and five assists. In 2003 he was nominated to the A-League Team of the Week twice (weeks 9, 10).

"Godfrey has been a very successful player in the A-league", said Thunder head coach Buzz Lagos. "Last year Godfrey was Indiana's most threatening player and we feel he will step into our team and be a very effective player for us in the midfield."

Friedland was actually discovered by Thunder assistant coach and player Amos Magee during the Maccabiah games in December. Friedland, 22, last played defense for the KC Wizards and joins the team at 5'8", 154 lbs. His hometown is Irvine, CA. and he attended Southern Methodist University where he played in every game beginning in 2001, and in 2002 was one of only three players to start every game. In 1999 he was L.A. Times Player of the Year, and in 2002 received four awards: NSCAA Second Team All-American, All conference MVC First Team, Midwest First Team, and CSN All-American Honorable Mention.

"We believe Kevin will be a great help on the left side of the defense and midfield," said Lagos. "We lost a great player in Don Gramenz this year, but we feel Kevin Friedland will be able to step right in and contribute."

THUNDER TO APPEAR AT LEX-HAM SPAGHETTI DINNER

In an effort to become a worthy neighbor, the Thunder will be in attendance at the Lex-Ham Community Council spaghetti dinner on February 29th. The dinner will begin at 6:30 P.M. at the Dunning Recreation Center (1221 Marshall Ave.), only a few hundred yards west of the Thunder's new home at James Griffin Stadium (I-94 & Lexington Parkway). Thunder representatives in attendance will include a Thunder player, Buzz Lagos, Thunder head coach, Jim Froslid, President/General Manager, and Ryan McGary, Executive Director of Thunder Plus.

GOLD CLUB MEMBERS WANTED

The Minnesota Thunder is accepting applications for its 2004 Gold Club, a 20-person volunteer group who will assist with game day and office responsibilities for the 2004 season. These positions include ticket takers, ushers, and youth interactive zone attendants on game-day and data entry, ticket sales and marketing in the office. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to help create and enhance the overall "Fan Experience" at each home game. Gold Club members will receive a number of perks including official Thunder apparel, recognition in the 2004 yearbook, an exclusive meal with the team and the opportunity to travel on the team bus to Milwaukee. Gold Club applications can be downloaded by clicking on the "Volunteer" link on the left-hand side of this page or obtained by calling 651-917-TEAM (8326).

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USL First Division Stories from February 18, 2004


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