When Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s soccer keeper Travis Froehlich went to Penticton for three summers, little did he know that he was mentoring his possible successor.
With Froehlich now completing his athletic eligibility with the WolfPack, head coach John Antulov announced that keeper Brady van Ryswyk of Princess Margaret Secondary has committed to the TRU program effective Aug. 1.
Van Ryswyk becomes TRU’s second confirmed recruit for 2016-17.
The six-foot-two, 17-year-old plans to take courses aimed at earning a Bachelor of Arts degree at TRU.
“This is a great opportunity and my goal is to be the starting goalie,” van Ryswyk said in a press release. “I did attend ID camps on the coast and in the Okanagan but felt TRU was the best fit and had the greatest opportunity.”
“I heard a bit about Brady for the last year and a half,” said Antulov. “Ezra Cremers is the technical director in Penticton and told me a bit about Brady. Brady came into our ID camp and to be quite honest, he really surprised me on what he can do and his level of play. Also, Tim Hutton (WolfPack assistant coach and Kamloops Youth Soccer U-18 head coach) told me about Brady because he played against him extensively and said Brady was really solid. Coming into the ID camp he really showed me what he can do. That convinced me that he could be someone who could do something for us.”
Froehlich thinks highly of van Ryswyk.
“My first thoughts of Brady were that this kid is quality and he is going to be a solid goalkeeper when he reaches the university ranks,” he said. “He has proven me right. He has improved greatly over the last two years. He pushed me when we trained together and vice versa.
“Brady’s main strengths are his strong and confident hands,” he continued. “I have never met a young goalkeeper that can hold onto the shots the way he does. It is unreal. He has confident feet and is a big, strong body in the nets, directs his defenders well and is a true leader.”
Van Ryswyk said he learned a lot from his experience working with Froehlich.
“I learned that I will have to work hard and never stop believing in my dreams. Travis raved about the soccer program at TRU and how great the coach was. I really didn’t look at going anywhere else.”
It was Cremers, who actually boarded Froehlich when he was technical director with the Shuswap FC (2009-11) and put the two together.
“Travis came to live with me in Penticton when he played for the PCSL Reserve Division. During his time at PFC, he coached Brady,” said Cremers. “I felt at the time Travis’ strengths were areas that Brady needed to add to his game. What a great story: Brady coming in as Travis finishes up.”
Cremers has high praise for van Ryswyk.
“He has truly grown in his ability to train and be confident. His mental game over the year is becoming stronger and stronger and he has not maxed out his potential. I believe coach Antulov’s coaching style will help Brady become not just a better player but a better young man.”
Van Ryswyk will push incumbent keeper Claye Harsany (second year, High River, Alta.) for the starting job.
“We are trying to do that for every position,” said Antulov. “Last year was a year when a lot of new players came in. This season there should be some transition. Losing Travis after his fifth year creates opportunities for other players. We are trying to bring in a third keeper to create that competition. We are happy with what Claye did last year. But I think even Claye would admit that having another two goal keepers there to keep the competition up would be a benefit for all.”
The WolfPack was in a position the last five years with Froehlich starting every game. For most of his five years, he had no one to challenge him. So what is Antulov’s philosophy on his keepers?
“Aside from last year, we weren’t able to bring in keepers. That situation has changed," he said. "Travis, when he was here wanted other keepers in here to push him and make him better. He really welcomed Claye coming in last year because Claye has a fantastic work ethic and pushed him. I am not sure platooning is the way to go-maybe just go with the keeper who is most ready to go each week. Having three or four keepers in the mix will make all of them better. But we aren’t looking to do that just in goalkeeping we are looking to do that in all positions. For us to take the next step as a program we have to have people ‘in behind’ to push the other guys.”
TRU will kick off their 2016-17 Canada West training camp in the first week of August.
Corner kicks: Froehlich believes that van Ryswsyk’s addition to the WolfPack is ‘win-win’ for the program and the player.
“John (Antulov) picks up another solid goal keeper and Brady gets to come in as a first year and push for a starting position. Brady has had great coaching back home from his father Pat, Ezra and Tom Gill (Penticton’s keepers coach). I owe a lot of my success to Tommy. I wouldn’t be where I am today as a goal keeper if it were not for him. Now, Brady gets to fall under and learn from Allan Connor and Johnny (Antulov). He will continue to be in good hands to say the least. Brady did his homework and came to the conclusion at TRU would be a good fit for him. TRU is lucky to snag one of the strongest keepers in the Okanagan. The sky is the limit for the kid, I can’t wait to see what he does over the next five years. With that being said, whoever is in the nets for TRU will be in good hands for the next five years."
When asked about an anecdote about van Ryswyk, Cremers said, “Brady is the only player that is allowed to give me a ‘tap tap’ hug not a handshake. He did it once before a big match and I responded by saying “don’t touch me,” he laughs. “But we won the match and we have been doing it ever since. I guess we are superstitious. Brady is a character that TRU will enjoy getting to know.”
He adds: “Pinnacles FC is very proud of Brady. Our football factory here is producing players every year to the CIS and Brady is another example of what is going on soccer wise in the South Okanagan. Coach John Antulov has been great for our program coming down and really giving our players the inspiration and insight they need to reach the next level.”