When Danny Dell began his soccer career with the UNBC Timberwolves it was a brand new experience.
"I never played soccer really until I came to Prince George," said the T-wolves' captain and only fifth-year player. "It's been a neat ride. I played a little bit but I was a hockey player."
Dell's hockey background in Burns Lake, where he played from age five to 19, would come as no surprise to anyone who witnessed his first couple of years on the pitch in the B.C. Colleges Athletic Association.
"The first years I played I was just running and hitting people but then I developed a little bit of skill," he laughed.
The 25-year-old played three seasons for the T-wolves in the BCCAA, one season when it became PACWEST and in their inaugural season in the CIS, Canada West conference. Dell played in his final home game Sunday, a 2-0 loss to the Fraser Valley Cascades as the T-wolves fell to 0-12, in front of family and friends who made the trek from Burns Lake.
Unfortunately, Dell wasn't on the North Cariboo soccer field when the final whistle blew, having pulled his hamstring just minutes before.
He credits T-wolves assistant coach Sonny Pawar for taking a chance on a former hockey player.
"He's the one who gave me the chance to play and I was dedicated and he pushed me to my limits," said Dell.
Alan Alderson, T-wolves head coach, said he's glad to have coached Dell for the past couple of months.
"He's just a fantastic kid," said Aldeson. "I've coached for over 20 years and when a kid like that graduates from your program you're incredibly sad that they're leaving because they epitomize so many things that you love about being a coach.
"He's just so good every single practice, every single game day he comes with a great attitude and work rate," he added. "We're going to miss him."
Dell, a future teacher, has had many memorable moments in the past five seasons, including scoring the first goal for the T-wolves in the CIS against the defending national champion Victoria Vikes.
"It's one I'm going to remember forever," said Dell. "[The Vikes] actually passed back and I took it from the guy and they were coming to close down on me and I slotted it in the bottom left corner. The rest is history."
An even better memory for Dell came when they claimed the silver medal in the BCCAA when he scored the only goal in the 90th minute against Capilano University for the T-wolves first ever playoff win.
"It was an unreal moment, the whole team jumped on me," said Dell about the semifinal. "Then we played the No. 1 team in Canada the next day, Douglas College, and we somehow upset them 2-1, that game is the moment I'll take out of it."
Dell will be looking to add another fond memory to his UNBC soccer career when the team travels to Calgary and Winnipeg for its final games against the Mount Royal Cougars (Saturday, 2 p.m.) and the Winnipeg Wesmen (Sunday, noon).
"A win would be nice," he said, adding he has no regrets. "It's been a wonderful ride."
