With less than a month before the opening of training camp, Universigy of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's soccer coach Randy Bardock is excited to announce the signing of seven recruits for the 2016-17 Canada West season.
Lethbridge residents Jaden Veluw and Andrew Primeau are joined by David Palmarin, Quadri Lawal, Jitse Vanden Hadelkamp, Liam McDonald and Justin Robertson in the latest Horns recruiting class.
Veluw, a defender, and midfielder Andrew Primeau join the Horns after being on the Lethbridge Football Club Major League roster this summer. Previously, both played with the Calgary West Soccer Club.
“Jaden is a left-footed centreback that fills a big need for us,” says Bardock. “Jaden is very sound defensively and he will be battling for playing time right out of the gate for us."
Primeau joins his brother Stephen on the Horns roster. Stephen is entering his third year of CIS eligibility.
“Andrew is a very talented wide player that brings some different qualities to the team,” says Bardock. “He is technically strong and has a good change of pace; we are eager to see how Andrew adjusts to the CIS, he has all the physical qualities to succeed here.”
Palmairn comes to the U of L via Regina, Saskatchewan and will bring the program some much needed versatility. The defender is a product of the Queen City Soccer Club.
“David is a gifted all-around player, technically strong, who can play at centreback or anywhere across the midfield,” says Bardock. “His flexibility will help us greatly.”
Quadri Lawal, a fullback, comes to the University via the Southwest United Soccer Club in Calgary.
“Quadri is a gifted player going forward who has exceptional pace on the outside,” says Bardock. “He brings some unique qualities out of the back that we currently do not have in our program.”
Up front, the Horns welcome striker Jitse Vanden Hadelkamp from the Red Deer Renegades.
“Jitse is a tall, physical striker that I am looking forward to working with,” says Bardock. “He brings an edge to his game that is definitely needed, as well, his skill set is different from our other strikers so it will add to our options up front.”
Coming from Atlantic Canada, striker Liam McDonald joins the Horns from the Fredericton Soccer Club.
“Liam is coming off a serious injury last year so I am anxious to see where he will fit in,” says Bardock. “He is a high character player that will add to our depth up front and he has been working hard to get back to 100 per cent health, so I am eager to see him in August and how he matches up.”
The Horns kick-off the Canada West conference schedule on the road August 24 in Winnipeg and will see their first home action September 9 when they host the University of Alberta Golden Bears.