The hectic schedule outlines how Nik Ledgerwood has become the Golden Boy of Canada's soccer future.
He's made the national under-20 team, played when it qualified for the world championship and later toured Mexico with the team.
He has been auditioning with the U-23 Canadian team that will eventually play at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
"I enjoy playing soccer everyday," said Ledgerwood. "If I could play soccer everyday until I'm 40, it would be unbelievable."
In March, the Canadian U-20 team, with Ledgerwood on board, will leave for the world championship, slated for the United Arab Emirates. If political conditions don't improve, the tournament will be shifted to Japan.
"That would be a lot safer, I believe," said Ledgerwood. "As far as I know, the tournament is still going to happen in the United Arab Emirates. You don't feel too safe going over there."
Canada will meet Brazil in its first game and be in a pool that includes the Czech Republic and Australia.
All of this and he turned 18 years old in January. He's proud to be the youngest player to make the U-20 team.
"The under-20 team is actually in Miami right now," said Ledgerwood, who is back home in Lethbridge this week. "Then they go to Trinidad."
Ledgerwood is bypassing that Caribbean tour to rest a right hamstring pull.
"It was a long, hard season last year -- my first in the A-League. We did a lot of pre-season training, plus I was on the Alberta U-17 team, the Canadian U-17 team and I was on the Alberta Summer Games team. I've been having injuries lately, which might be holding me back. That's why I stayed back on this trip."
Which begs the question: Will Ledgerwood have anything left to play with the Calgary Storm in the A-League this year?
"I'm getting good medical advice from physios, doctors and parents," said an unconcerned Ledgerwood, when asked if he might be overdoing it.
Ledgerwood is one of three players from the Storm on the Canadian U-20 roster but he is the only one from Southern Alberta. Chris Lemire and Waldo Dutra, both of Edmonton, have also made the team. Ledgerwood said they haven't forgotten about upcoming obligations with the Storm when the A-League starts in May.
Last season was a nightmare for the Storm. They were bogged down by inexperience and had a 4-12 record in their first season in the A-League.
Despite the long summer, Ledgerwood insisted he was a better soccer player for the experience.
"Playing for the Storm helped me a lot because it was like stepping into Second Division," he said.
He said the added benefits of the international experience of the three Storm players allows them to train all year, and they'll bring new skills back after playing the likes of Brazil.
It's not that he wants to be a lifer in the A-league. His long range goal is to earn a European contract and follow the footsteps of Lars Hirschfeld, the Storm keeper who is now playing with Tottenham Hotspur in England.
The upcoming U-20 championship may provide that window as scouts will swarm the tournament.
His search for bigger things comes with the support of Storm chairman Michael Vandale, who has maintained the mandate of the Storm is to develop players for the highest level
"It's only positive if a player can come through here and work their way elsewhere," said Vandale. "Nik has a promising future, I expect big things from him."
But for now, the Storm and Team Canada can keep him busy.
rauwm@theherald.southam
