One alumnus and two current members of the U of S men’s soccer Huskies are taking part in one team’s Canadian Premier League training camp.
Winnipeg Valour is welcoming back Brett Levis for a second season while Nikolas Baikas and Aaron Hidalgo-Mazzei are at the Winnipeg camp on a trial basis. Following is the news release from Huskie Athletics…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2021
Current and former Huskies head to CPL training camp
Huskie Athletics
SASKATOON – As Canadian Premier League (CPL) training camps across the nation kick off in preparation for the 2021 season, a trio of athletes associated with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s soccer program find themselves in the mix.
One former (Brett Levis) and two current (Nikolas Baikas, Aaron Hidalgo-Mazzei) Huskies are attending training camp with the Winnipeg Valour, either on a trial basis or as a member of the roster.
“This will be a great opportunity for Niki and Aaron to further develop their game by playing in a pro environment,” said Huskies head coach Bryce Chapman. “Valour has excellent coaches, the players look strong which will only make these two Huskies better players at the end day. Both players have hope of securing a U SPORTS development contract.
Once again Brett is leading the way in the professional game. Watching him train this winter in the off-season, he looks very determined to put his stamp as one of the top players in this league.”
Entering his second season with the Valour, Levis led the Huskies to a Canada West title in 2014 and is also a former member of the Vancouver Whitecaps. The speedster from Saskatoon sits second in program history in career points (45) and goals (29) while leading the way in assists (16).
“I am really looking forward to year two with Valour, the Island Games were too short and too quick,” said Levis. “You could see glimpses of what this team is capable of and we’re only improving. We love it when people continue to count us out, we’ll see this year. I want to thank Huskies men’s soccer for their continued support, I always keep this program close to my heart!”
A two-time Canada West All-Star and member of the 2018 U SPORTS All-Rookie team, Nikolas Baikas joins the Valour on trial after a tremendous start to his Huskie career. The product of Saskatoon has seven goals and 15 regular season points in his two seasons with the squad and played a key role in the Huskies advancing to the Canada West Final Four in 2019.
“I’m looking forward to getting on the pitch and meeting the team in person,” said Baikas. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here and I’m excited to finally get to work.”
Yet to play a game for the Huskies, Aaron Hidalgo-Mazzei joined the team prior to the 2020 season that was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic but was still able to take part in limited training sessions in Saskatoon in the fall. The kinesiology major from Winnipeg brings an impressive resume to the Huskies. He is a former member of the Real Salt Lake academy and also attended training camp with Valour prior to CPL Island Games tournament last summer. Like Baikas, Hidalgo-Mazzei joins the training camp on a trial basis.
“I’m looking forward to starting preseason training camp with Valour FC,” said Hidalgo-Mazzei. “It will be a great experience to test myself in a professional environment. I hope to learn as much as I can and grow as a player.”
Finishing second or better in the Prairie Division in six of the past eight years, the Huskies’ 2021 regular season will consist of two games against each of the five other Prairie Division teams prior to a cross-over with the Pacific Division in the playoffs as part of a one-year only alternate playing format.
