Highlanders ink Vikes’ star Hundal

Cam Hundal, the explosive University of Victoria Vikes striker and scoring coleader last season with 11 goals in 14 games, has left the Vancouver Whitecaps Under-23 team to play soccer this summer in the USL Premier Development League for the Victoria Highlanders.

The native of Terrace has been a Canada West Conference all-star each of his first three university seasons and was named Canada West rookie of the year in 2011. Hundal was named CIS national championships MVP in leading the Vikes to the 2011 Canadian university title at Centennial Stadium.

“Since the Vikes won nationals in 2011, Cam has been a popular figure in town and we know his talent,” said Highlanders head coach Steve Simonson.

“He’s caused us grief as a Whitecap [U-23 player in the PDL]. I think he’s a fantastic player. He can run, dribble, set-up and score goals. He’s a player I’ve had my eye on for a couple of years.”

Hundal joins the Highlanders after several years as a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps prospects programs. During the 2013 PDL season, he posted four goals and four assists in 14 games.

“I love to embrace new challenges,” said Hundal, in a statement.

“The Highlanders are a great organization, and they proved it last year [in winning the Northwest Division and Western Conference titles in advancing to the PDL Final Four in Austin, Texas].”

Meanwhile, going the other way from the Highlanders to the Whitecaps U-23 for the 2014 PDL season is midfielder Brett Levis. After his breakout 2013 season with the Highlanders, in which the University of Saskatchewan Huskies standout finished in the top-10 of PDL scoring, Levis earned a trial with the pro MLS Whitecaps and this keeps him closer to their radar.

The recent player moves will make for an even more interesting season opener for he Higlanders as they kick off the 2014 PDL campaign on May 4 at Royal Athletic Park against the Whitecaps U-23.