(Courtesy of the Colorado Eagles) WINDSOR, CO- The Colorado Eagles announced Friday the signing of Paulo Colaiacovo, the goaltender who won the final two games of the CHL Finals against the Laredo Bucks last May. The Eagles now have 11 players under contract for the upcoming 2005-06 season, including 10 players from the championship season that concluded three months ago.

The 6’3”, 220-pound-netminder from Etobicoke, Ontario will be entering his second professional season with the Colorado Eagles. After sitting out over half the season due to injury in 2004-05, Colaiacovo returned to the lineup on January 5, 2005 and allowed only one goal in his professional debut helping the Eagles dismantle New Mexico 9-1. Three nights later, Paulo returned between the pipes to pitch the first of his two regular season shutouts with a 28 save, 2-0 blanking of Fort Worth. The 21-year old continued his impressive performances for the duration of the regular season by winning his first three starts, and eight of his first nine. He finished the regular season 8-1-1 with a 1.80 goals against average and a .934 save percentage. In his 10 regular season starts, Colaiacovo allowed more than two goals only twice. The playoffs are where this rising star shined brightest, as he became known as the “Closer”. In each round of the CHL Playoffs, Paulo won the series clinching game, but none of them were more impressive than his 36 save, President’s Cup clinching, 1-0 shutout of the defending CHL Champion Laredo Bucks. Colaiacovo started the final two games of the championship series and surrendered only one goal in the two road starts. He finished the playoffs 4-0 with a 1.00 goals against average and a .962 save percentage, including the final game shutout.

“Championships are won with good goaltending, and with the signing of Paulo, it will give out team that opportunity again,” said Eagles Vice President and Head Coach Chris Stewart.

Before coming to the Eagles last season, Paulo enjoyed success at the junior level being named OHL Goaltender of the Year with the Barrie Colts. His final season in juniors, he started by shutting out two of his first four opponents, while holding his opposition to one goal or fewer on 19 different occasions. He was named OHL goaltender of the month in December of 2003 and was selected to the OHL All-Star game. He finished his final season with a 24-21-12 record, a 2.34 GAA and .924 save percentage. His OHL career came to a close with an 82-63-17 overall record.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity ahead in Colorado” said Colaiacovo about his return to the Eagles. “It will be nice to get off to a fresh start this season and maintain it throughout.”

The signing of Paulo Colaiacovo gives the Eagles their first goaltender in camp this season. Paulo joins veterans Greg Pankewicz, Ryan Tobler, Riley Nelson, and Brad Williamson, newcomer Tab Lardner, forwards Sean Robertson, Fraser Filipic, Chris Hartsburg, defensemen Aaron Grosul and Matt Desrosiers to give the Eagles 11 players on their roster.

The Eagles training camp opens Monday October 10, 2005 and will conclude with two exhibition games on October 14th and 15th at the Budweiser Events Center against the Amarillo Gorillas. The regular season will open on October 21st against the Laredo Bucks.