The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s soccer team will have a definite “Williams Lake” flavour to its 2017-18 roster.
Head coach John Antulov and the WolfPack said they are pleased to announce the signing of their second recruit with ties to the Lake City. Midfielder Justin Hansen, a six-foot-two center midfielder/back has signed a USport letter of intent.
The 18-year-old Hansen graduated from Lake City Secondary last June (2016). He most recently played with OJC Rasmalen of the Netherlands U-19 third division.
“I chose TRU because I like the team and the university,” says Hansen, who will be pursuing courses designed at achieving a Bachelor of Arts degree at Thompson Rivers. He chose the school after looking seriously at both the University of Victoria and the University of the Fraser Valley.
Hansen says the experience overseas (April 10, 2016 to April 20th of this year) will help him become more of a dominant player in the Canada West.
“One of the biggest things I learned playing overseas (which was brokered through Antulov’s longtime friend Saibo Talic and the European Football School) was to never turn down an opportunity and I am getting a great one here,” he said.
“My strengths are being able to read the game and not shying away from any tackle.”
He was coached by his father Brian in the Williams Lake Youth Soccer Association at various levels: from house to high school “AAA” and accompanied him with two tours of Europe with the European Football School. Brian says his son will add some good dynamics to the WolfPack club.
“He will have the confidence to join a new team and be a positive vocal voice on the field. He will have to work hard, learn everything there is to learn and be patient.”
Justin believes adjusting to Antulov’s coaching style will be an easy thing. “ I have played under John before and his presence at TRU was another determining factor in me coming here.”
As far as his newest recruit is concerned, the WolfPack coach had this to say: “We are pleased to have Justin join our program. I have known Justin for quite a few years and have worked with him on a few different occasions, most recently with our Whitecaps Academy HPP programming. I was able to see his progression over the years and feel he will be a good fit for our program going forward. He most recently was playing in Holland over the last little while and that helped him mature as a player to make him ready to play at the CIS level.
“He is able to play in different positions along the back line as well as in a central midfield position, so he has the diversity in his game to play multiple positions which are the type of players that we are looking to bring into our program. We feel he will continue to learn and progress and be a valuable member of our program for the next five years.”
Earlier this year, the WolfPack signed former Williams Lake resident Scott Cramer (now of Vernon and the Thompson Okanagan Football Club). Two time Canada West all-star Ryan Glanville is returning for his fifth and final year of university eligibility. He too, is from Williams Lake.
Other TRU recruit signings for the 2017-18 season that have been announced so far are: Harry Khaira (6’1”, center back, Surrey, BC Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary/Fraser Valley Football Club (BCPSL)), Juan Calles (5’9”, midfield/defender, Dola, Qatar, Colegio Maya), Joshua Penny (6’1”, striker/midfielder, Surrey, BC-Surrey Christian School/Coquitlam Metro Ford (BCPSL)) and Jordell Afonso (5’10”, midfielder, Penticton, BC-Penticton High School/Penticton Pinnacles (TOSL).
Thompson Rivers is the host school for the 2017 USport Men’s Soccer Nationals. They will be held at Hillside Stadium Nov. 9-12.