September 4, 1991:  

The Blizzard finish the CSL season with a 2-0 win over Kitchener.  Pat Onstad records the shutout while Lyndon Hooper and Dale Mitchell score.  It was  Mitchell's tenth goal of the season tying him for the team lead with Ted Eck. 

Frank Lofranco

Frank warming up for a CSL game in 1987..

Frank Lofranco joined the Blizzard for the inaugural Canadian Soccer League season joining the team in 1987 from Toronto Italia of the NSL.  At just 19, Frank was one of the youngest members of the team at that time. 

Currently he lives in Ottawa and is employed by the Government of Canada.  Still involved in the game Frank is a coach with the Ottawa Fury coaching the women's team the past four seasons and this year helping out with the new academy.

He recently sat down with us to talk about the Blizzard Glory Days.

BGD: What coaches did you play under? 
FL:  I recall Dave Turner and Pedro Kozak being at the helm.  
 
BGD: Who were some of your Blizzard team-mates? 
FL:  I had the pleasure of playing with many good players.  Some of the more memorable ones include, Randy Ragan, Mike Sweeney, Branko Segota, Paul "Hands' Hammond, Lucio Ianiero, Carlos "Cacho" Cordoba", Pat Harrington, Kevin Holness and Marco Abascal.    
 
BGD: Who are some og the players you especially enjoyed playing with and why? 
FL:  Lucio Ianiero, "Cacho" and Mike Sweeney were some of the players I enjoyed playing with the most. All fellow midfielders, although Lucio played out wide, they had an appreciation for possession oriented soccer and the thinking part of the game.  
 
Paul Hammond was also as special teammate. The senior of the team in my first year, his mentorship and encouragement was invaluable. I often remember him staying after training to help the younger players work on elements of their game. 
 
BGD: What opponents did you respect the most? 
FL:  This is a tough one.  I had a lot of respect for Domenic Mobilio and how he carried himself on and off the field.   Nick DeSantis would be another opponent I respected.  His determination as a player was difficult to appreciate until you lined up against him.  
 
BGD: Favourite childhood memory of soccer? 
FL:  There are many, but if I had to pick one it would be the time I "trained" with Juventus. I was about 12 years-old when Juventus came to play against the Toronto Blizzard at CNE Stadium.  I had gone to watch them train but the session was closed to observers. My dad helped me over the fence and with some encouragement I made my way to the field where a couple of players let me join in some juggling and keep away.  
 
BGD: Favourite Blizzard memories: 
FL: Scoring my first goal is an obvious one.  
 
My other favourite memories come from playing in friendlies against top clubs such as Benefica, Inter Milan and Red Star Belgrade. At a time when fan support in Canada was lacking, many of us found great enjoyment playing in front of a sold out Varsity stadium against quality opposition, even though the home team always had fewer fans. 

BGD: If you could change anything about the game in Canada what would it be? 
FL:  The question that never goes away. What to change about soccer in Canada? While I see evidence of progress, I think there is much that should be changed.   In my view, soccer in Canada would benefit from some humility.  I've believe our progress could be accelerated if soccer coaches, administrators, and executives, especially those in positions of influence, better appreciated the extent to which soccer knowledge and experience in Canada is lacking.  A better appreciation of the problem would lead to better solutions.  Until this happens, Canada's progress will continue but at a rate that is unnecessarily slow. 

BGD:  Do you think a potential MLS franchise in Toronto is good for the game in Canada? 
FL:  Absolutely. I don't see how it could hurt to bring the highest level of soccer in North America to Canada.  Toronto is a tough soccer market though and many have yet to figure out the dynamics within the potential fan base. However, it must be said that it would be a disappointment to see MLS expansion stop in Toronto. In my view, other Canadian teams such as Vancouver must be added to the MLS mix to get professional soccer in Canada to its tipping point. 

BGD: Do you think it makes sense for the franchise to adapt the Blizzard name? 
FL:  I imagine the marketing gurus will figure that out.  Obviously the Blizzard name has a positive tradition and a history that can be drawn upon. I think Vancouver's decision to bring back the Whitecaps name serves as good example of the importance of this. As a former player, it would a great thing to see.   

(email interview conducted by Bill Ault)