As part of celebrating 10 years at their downtown home, the Goldeyes brought back eight former players this season on Flashback Fridays, beginning with their May 22 home opener against the 2008 champions from Kansas City.

“Whether they played for the Goldeyes at Winnipeg Stadium or Canwest Park or both,” said general manager Andrew Collier, “all eight of these players made an impact when they were here and I know our fans will give them a very warm and appreciative welcome.”

MAY 22 - TROY FORTIN
Troy Fortin played for the Goldeyes from 1998 to 2000. He arrived in mid-season his first year and only a lack of at-bats prevented the Manitoban and his .376 average from winning the batting title.

In three seasons with Winnipeg, Troy batted .332 with 16 home runs and 84 runs batted in. He also put up respective .417 on-base and .523 slugging percentages for an impressive .940 OPS while committing just five errors for a .994 fielding percentage.

JUNE 5 - CHRIS KOKINDA
Chris Kokinda played for the Goldeyes from 1996 to 1999. He arrived following a solid year in the Northeast League and picked up right where he left off, taking home Northern League Rookie of the Year honours.

In four seasons with Winnipeg, Chris batted .300 with 29 home runs and 201 runs batted in. He left the Goldeyes among the top five in eight career categories and missed just one game in those four seasons, entering retirement having played in 308 straight games.

JUNE 19 - CARMINE CAPPUCCIO
Carmine Cappuccio played for the Goldeyes in 2001. It would be his final year as a player, but what a year it was.

In one season with Winnipeg, Carmine batted a career-best .359 while setting league records for doubles (39) and hits (136) in a season. He also led the league with 80 runs batted in, won Most Accurate Outfielder before the home crowd at the Northern League All-Star Game, earned a spot on the Northern League All-Star Team and was named by Baseball America to its All-Independent First Team.

JUNE 26 - BRIAN DUVA
Brian Duva played for the Goldeyes from 1995 to 2000. His time with Winnipeg could be summed up with the knowledge that his was the first jersey in franchise history to be retired.

In six seasons with Winnipeg, Brian batted .310 with 24 home runs and 217 runs batted in. The league's all-time leader with 180 stolen bases, he also holds the league record (6) for stolen bases in a game. He played in two mid-season all-star games, was named to two post-season all-star teams and is top five in nine career franchise categories.

JULY 10 - DAN GUEHNE
Dan Guehne pitched for the Goldeyes from 1996 to 2000. Following pitching coach Bob Kipper over from Evansville, he averaged more than 30 games per season and departed as the league's all-time leader in appearances.

In five seasons with Winnipeg, Dan pitched in 153 games, good for second all-time in franchise history. He finished 11-9 with 21 saves, good for fifth all-time in franchise history, while striking out 131 in 156 innings.

JULY 24 - RAFAEL GROSS
Rafael Gross pitched for the Goldeyes from 2001 to 2004. He made an immediate impression on Winnipeg fans, winning a club-record 14 games in 2001 in his first season as a starter while appearing in his first of three-straight all-star games.

In four seasons with Winnipeg, Rafael finished 36-9 with a stellar 2.80 earned run average. He struck out 233 while walking just 53 in 357-plus innings. He is the club’s all-time leader in wins (36) and complete games (7) and, in 2003, was the last Goldeyes hurler to be named Northern League Pitcher of the Year.

AUGUST 7 - CHAD THORNHILL
Chad Thornhill was acquired by Winnipeg in July of 1999, coming over in a trade with Sioux City. It would be his only season with the Goldeyes, at least as a player, but he made enough of an impression on manager Hal Lanier that he returned to the club in 2001 as a member of the coaching staff.

In one season (plus one game) with Winnipeg as a player, Chad batted .288 and was one of four Goldeyes to suit up at the 1999 Northern League All-Star Game. At season’s end, he was named as the shortstop to the NL Central Conference All-Star Team as well as by Baseball America to its All-Independent Second Team.

In two seasons as the hitting coach, Chad oversaw an offence that led the league in batting both years, putting together a cumulative .300 batting average with the highest on-base percentage and the fewest strikeouts. He also represented the Goldeyes before the home crowd at the 2001 NL All-Star Game as a coach on the Central Conference squad.

In two seasons with Winnipeg, Ryan batted .294 with nine home runs and 75 runs batted in. A mid-season and post-season all-star in 2001, he led all catchers both years in fielding percentage, putouts and total chances, establishing a Northern League record in 2002 with 602 putouts.