The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have added some depth to their back line with the signing of Saeed Khan (Sa-eed Con)  from Surrey, BC.   The six foot soon-to-be graduate of Panarama Ridge Secondary School will join the WolfPack for the upcoming Canada West men's soccer season.

" I had my heart set on going to Thompson Rivers," says Khan who will be initially taking General Studies courses.  " I wasn't looking to go anywhere else. I admire TRU's soccer program and their well reputable coaching staff."

"Saeed came to our ID camp and showcased himself really well," said WolfPack head coach John Antulov. " He is a big strong player defensively. I was really impressed with his calmness on the ball and play out of the back. We were hoping to have him come to Kamloops this summer and play with our Pacific Coast team. When that couldn't happen we decided to make him an offer because we think he is a really good fit for our program.  We are very strong on the back end  this year but Saeed 'ticked a lot of the boxes' in what we need to be successful. He will come in and learn from our veterans and if he comes in fit, get a chance to play."

Khan played club soccer in the BCSPL with the Fraser Valley 18U club which won the league title in 2019.  That club is coached by Antulov's former Simon Fraser teammate Steve Millar.

"Saeed came onto a very established team that the majority of the players had been together for six years," Millar says. " Many of them were also provincial team players. This team had been to three provincial championship finals (winning once), the National Final, winning three BCSPL League Cup championships and many league titles.  Saeed had to find his way in this group. Over time, he found his way into the starting line up with this group and played a big role at center back in the league cup in November 2019.  He really developed his game in a hurry with us, and had a good understanding of what I needed and wanted out of him on the pitch. His game understanding and distribution were the two biggest developments over that time."

Khan is a proven winner as he also helped lead his high school team (Panarama Ridge Thunder) to an unbeaten season in 2019 which included the South Fraser Valley high school championship and the BC "AAA" boys title. His coach for his entire high school career was Paul Nowakowski along with Darryl Vanderark and Haider Khan (Saheed's older brother).

"Saeed was initially a striker in his first two years with us," Nowakowski stated. " He hit his stride in his senior years and was a mainstay in our backfield and was our team captain.  He developed into a complete soccer player. We preached patience with Saeed early in high school as the boys develop so much in their teenage years. We asked Saeed to work hard with club soccer and train throughout the year. His commitment to getting better really showed in grade 10 as he became a force both on and off the ball. His physicality to go shoulder to shoulder with other players was superior and his skill set improved drastically."

Aside from his work ethic, Nowakowski says Khan's main strength is his composure. " Under pressure he is superior.  Saeed was always up for the big matches and really calmed things down for us in the backfield when the pressure was on. His ability to play a simple ball up to the midfield to start the attack was key. He also knew when to clear the ball and not give the other team any chance of a counter. He was great in the air winning knock downs for us and his strength to be vocal on the defensive end helped everyone out. Saeed is a tremendous athlete that has the ability to play any position in the park. At crunch time, when we needed a goal we would slide Saeed into the forward position and he immediately made an impact.  In our South Fraser Valley Championship match, we were down a goal with seven minutes left and decided to shift Saeed up front. His speed and determination created opportunities for us which led to a tying goal for our team and a win in the shootout."

Khan has seen a Canada West match and is mentally prepared for the 'step up' in play.  " Based on what I watched, I know they (Canada West soccer) are fast paced matches full of talent. I just have to stay fit and healthy and keep training harder and harder everyday to ensure I stay at the top of my game so I can come out of every challenge with the ball."

Antulov believes that the addition of Khan will push the existing veterans.  "No one –even the veterans are guaranteed a spot," he says. " If Saeed comes in and he does all the things he needs to do and play well. That might give me an opportunity to move some of the other players like a Josh (Banton) or Jan (Pirretas) into another position and makes our team even stronger or change out tactical set up.  For me, it is bringing in guys who can compete. I don't look at players necessarily two or three years down the road, I am looking for players who will challenge immediately."

Nowakowski believes Khan will need to continue on making simple plays that are open and make it happen quickly in order to make the transition to Canada West easier for himself. " Don't take on too much by making the extra move, continue to believe in yourself because you got here primarily on your work ethic. It wasn't handed to you," are his words of advice for his graduating captain.
He adds that the newest member of the WolfPack should be an addition to the team's community initiatives.  " Saeed was part of our Outdoor Leadership Co-op Program in grade 11, which is involved in a lot of community work. He will thrive in an atmosphere that cares for others and does their part in the community. He is surrounded by a great family that has instilled great values of helping others."

Miller agrees that the WolfPack have found themselves a player.  " Saeed is a very respectful young man. And when he came into our team, I think he was a bit timid and need to feel his way around with the group and even me as a coach. I'm a person that likes to take the Mickey with the players. I can be somewhat strict I guess as far as what an outsider might think, but when the players come in they soon realize that I will always look to have some fun with them. I will always support them. I feel players are able to develop and learn more when they can be comfortable with me and realize that while I'm firm, I will still look to have more fun than most. After a little while of observing me and my interactions with the players, I think Saeed realized "hey I can give it right back to this coach". One day at training, I gave him a hard time about something. To which he had quite a witty response. I was impressed and he knew it! After that day, he seemed to really take off on the field. More confidence. He knew he fit in. He knew he had my confidence but always stayed respectful. Threw a lot more barbs at me. But, he was respectful, ha ha. "

Khan becomes the fifth recruit for the upcoming season joining Jonathan Rinaldi (5'6" midfield, Kamloops, BC-Sa-Hali Secondary/TOFC ),   Domenico Comita( 5'11" defender, Kamloops, BC-Sa-Hali Secondary/TOFC), Jost Hausendorf (6'5" striker/winger Ammersbek, Germany-Gymnasium Eckhorst Bargteheide/West Virginia Weselan College (NCAA Div II)/TSV Sasel (Germany)), and George "Trey" Lamotte (6'2" striker/attacking mid, Malabar/Arima Trinidad and Tobago/St. Mary's College/West Virgiina Weselan College (NCAA Div II).

More recruit announcements are to be announced in the coming weeks.
 
THROW INS:   Millar on working with Khan, " COVID definitely took a couple of months away from me working here with Saeed. And I can say I have missed working with him. There have been a few newer player that have come onto this team, and Saeed is one of the nicest young men that have come over in recent times. I believe in him. And I look forward to watching him continue to grow as a player and a great young man."

Nowakowski on Khan as a player and teammate, " He was a great teammate. His ability to have fun off the field and build a strong rapport with coaches and teammates was great in establishing Espirit de corps throughout the season. He was our captain and a conduit to pass on information to other players, he was able to hold his teammates accountable by communicating without ever putting anyone down. He lifted his teammates up to get them to perform better."