For nearly two months, until he broke two bones in his leg in a collision with an opposing goaltender, midfielder Sourosh Amani was the best player in a UNBC Timberwolves uniform.
Now, nearly two years later, Amani has become the first UNBC player in any sport to sign a pro contract.
The Dutch native has signed with BI/Bolungarvik, an Icelandic First Division professional team based in Bolungarvik in the northwestern part of the country, 473 km from the capital city Reykjavk.
"It was a great feeling to receive an offer," Amani told UNBC sports information officer Jesse Olynyk. "I worked extremely hard on my recovery and practiced hard daily with the goal in mind to sign a professional contract, but what I have learned is that there is no shortcut to achieving your goals.
"It is all about hard work during the times when no one is watching you. Once you know your strengths, stay after practice and work on your weaknesses. Every day that goes by I am still looking for and always will be looking for ways to improve myself."
Amani finished as the T-wolves' leading scorer in 2012. His injury kept him off the field for an extended period and he missed all of last season but he never lost faith he would eventually return to the game.
"I am very happy to be playing again, and glad that I can experience life and football in Iceland," said Amani. "But I do hope to be able to return to Canada one day as a professional player or youth coach. In the future I would like to be able to make a contribution to youth soccer in Canada."
UNBC head coach Alan Alderson, whose team begins training camp in mid-August, says Amani set a high standard for himself during his brief time at UNBC and due to his work ethic and soccer ability he's overcome adversity and realized his dream of joining a pro team.
"Sourosh was a great addition to our young Timberwolves team in our first Canada West season, his passion for the game was apparent from the moment he stepped on the pitch," said Alderson.
"When I started at UNBC two years ago, I challenged our players to see who would be the first UNBC men's soccer alum to sign a professional contract, and we are not surprised at all that Sourosh was able to make the jump into the professional ranks after watching him play and train here on a regular basis.
"There are others here who will have a great shot at playing pro as well, and we will hope that they will have learned from watching the level of commitment, discipline and focus that Amani has modeled."
The UNBC men's team will begin its exhibition season in August with games in Edmonton and Calgary.
