Fresno Fuego News Release -- www.fresnofuego.com
Friday, April 20, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Fuego, the 2011 Premier Development League Organization of the Year and Regular Season Champions, will kick off their 2012 PDL season this Sunday at Chukchansi Park for a 5 p.m. match.
All Fuego games this season will feature free admission for fans. Game passes are available online at the Fuego’s Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/FresnoFuego) or at Univision on Palm and Herndon. Fans will also have their first opportunity to ride the various carnival rides at Chukchansi Park, including the 80-foot Ferris Wheel.
The Fuego are defending PDL Regular Season Champions, posting an overall record of 13-1-2 in 2011. Five players from last year’s team have been signed to professional contracts, including Milton Blanco (Charlotte Eagles), Devon Grousis (Charlotte Eagles), Cyprian Hedrick (Sporting Kansas City), Jose “Chiva” Cuevas (Charleston Battery), and Cody Ellison (Charleston Battery).
The 2012 Fuego will feature several key returnees. Forward Tyler Reinhart will lead the Fuego’s offensive attack after finishing second on the team and ninth in the Premier Development League with 26 points in 2011. Reinhart was tied with Blanco for the team lead in goals with 12 in 2011. Eddie Gutierrez, a Fresno Pacific product, will anchor the Fuego’s defense.
The Fuego will be led once again by head coach Scott Alcorn. Alcorn has guided the Fuego to two Southwest Division titles, two Western Conference Finals and one Final Four appearance since his first season with the Fuego in 2007.