SASKATOON - The University of Saskatchewan Huskies men's soccer team is set to welcome seven new players to their program as they unveiled their 2019 recruiting class Thursday. 
 
The Huskies' recruits include six local products who each attended high school in Saskatoon, four of whom played their club soccer with the Saskatchewan Whitecaps Academy. Goalkeeper Thomas Pinder is the lone out-of-province recruit, who will journey eastward by way of Calgary to join the Huskies.
 
A pedigree of winning will follow this group as they step up to the next level of competition, together they have combined to produce great results at the city, provincial and national level.

A trio of the new faces will already have some level of familiarity playing with their new Huskie teammates as Kuhle Bekwayo, Fraser McLeod and Ash Fountaine are all members of the SK Selects Summer Series squad. Alongside 20 current or former Huskies, that trio has completed a pair of matches in the exhibition series with games against Whitecaps F.C. U23 (July 25) and Toronto F.C. 2 (August 11) still to come.

There are also a number of ties to the Huskies among the group, Ethan Turnbull's father Jason played for the Huskies men's soccer team in the early 90's, while Pinder's grandfather is Herbert Pinder, University of Saskatchewan Athletics legend and member of the Huskie Wall of Fame.
 
The infusion of youth into the club continues, as the Huskies once again get set to welcome new faces into the program. A squad that finished second in the Prairie Division last year will be looking to make the playoffs for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.

After a training camp that will kick into high-gear in the weeks to come,the new-look Huskies will take the pitch on Aug. 23, in their season opener under the lights of Griffiths Stadium against the MacEwan Griffins.
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2019 Recruiting Class
 
Kuhle Bekwayo, Midfielder
City: Saskatoon, SK
High School: Saskatoon Christian School
Previous Club Team: Saskatchewan Whitecaps Academy

Intended college: Arts & Science
Height: 5-8
 
Notable Achievements
Canada Summer Games 2017
Trial with Vancouver Whitecaps residency 2016
All-star at Whitecaps U17 showcase 2016
Leading goal scorer in the 2018 PSL season 
Provincial Champion 2014
Sixth place finish at 2014 Club Nationals
High-honours student
 
Player Comments 
I chose the University of Saskatchewan because I believe this is a great program to develop both individually and as a team. I believe I can help this club do greater things than it has done before. I want to use this opportunity as a chance to push myself for the highest level everyday on and off the pitch.


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Fraser McLeod, Midfielder
City: Saskatoon, SK
High School: Centennial Collegiate
Previous Club Team: Saskatchewan Whitecaps Academy
Intended college: Edward's School of Business
Height: 5-7

Notable Achievements
2017 & 2018 High School Provincial Champions
Grade 10 Centennial Male Athlete of the Year
2017 Grade 11 Centennial Male Athlete of the Year 
Top 10 Academic at Centennial 2015, 16, and 17
Elected Senior Leader 2018-19
 
Player Comments 
I chose to play at the University of Saskatchewan to represent my home town and province. I am excited to be a part of the growing soccer movement here and look forward to proving what Saskatchewan players are capable of.


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Matthew Hnatiw, Midfielder
City: Saskatoon, SK
High School: Centennial Collegiate
Previous Club Team: Woodbridge Strikers Ontario
Intended college: Edward's School of Business
Height: 5-6

Notable Achievements
2017: Canada Games – Winnipeg MB
2017: Centennial Collegiate High School Soccer Team Captain, MVP
2017: City Provincial Champions
2017:  Provincial Champions
2015: Whitecaps FC Saskatchewan Player of the Year
2014 – 2018: High School Honour Roll  

Player Comments 
I am eager to showcase my skill in my hometown and am looking forward to a strong possibility of being a part of a team that can represent the University of Saskatchewan at Nationals. 


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Thomas Pinder, Goalkeeper
City: Calgary, AB
High School: Edge School for Athletes, Calgary, AB
Previous Club Team: Calgary Villains Football Club
Intended college: Engineering
Height: 6-0

Notable Achievements
Calgary Whitecaps Academy 2016-2017 season
Provincial gold 2013 outdoor season
Provincial Bronze 2015 outdoor season
Gold medalist in Mayors Cup in Surrey, B.C., 2015
 
Player Comments
When I came for my visit this team felt like a family with an atmosphere where everyone can thrive, that's when I knew USask was for me.
 
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Abdulhadi Al-Juboori, Midfielder
City: Saskatoon, SK
High School: Marion M. Graham Collegiate
Previous Club Team: Astra Soccer Academy
Intended college: Kinesiology
Height: 5-8

Notable Achievements
Gold medalist with Saskatoon North U17 2017
Gold medalist with Saskatoon Selects U17 2018
City Champions with Astra Soccer Academy U18 2016
U16 Most Improved Player with Astra Soccer Academy
 
Player Comments
The Huskies have an elite level soccer team with a competitive environment. The kinesiology program is very strong and the experience you gain from attending USask helps you as a person later in life.


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Ethan Turnbull, Defender
City: Saskatoon, SK
High School: Centennial Collegiate
Previous Club Team: Saskatchewan Whitecaps Residency
Intended college: Arts & Science
Height: 6-0
 
Notable Achievements: 
Centennial Collegiate Male Athlete of the Year (2015)
French Immersion Diploma and Honour Role (2015-2018)

Player Comments 
Since I was young, I knew I wanted to compete at the university level, my father played for the Huskies and I want to continue that legacy. Bryce has coached me for six years and he has an efficient and effective coaching style which I look forward to continue my soccer career under.


 
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Ajani Fountaine, Forward
City: Saskatoon, SK
High School: Walter Murray Collegiate, Saskatoon
Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 
Intended College: Arts & Science
Height: 5-8

Notable Achievements
Sixth place at Club Nationals in 2015  

Player Comments
I chose to play with the Huskies because I want to help bring home a trophy to my hometown. Family is important to me so staying close to home played a big factor in my decision.