HarbourCats emphasize local talent with first signings of 2022

As baseball season draws ever closer, Victoria’s favourite summer team is choosing to shop locally.

The Victoria HarbourCats announced the signing of nine players to their 2022 roster on Thursday, all of which hold deep ties to the Greater Victoria area.

Two of the signees, Noah Takacs and Josh Walker come by way of NCAA Division I Sacramento State, having played their high school ball with the Victoria Eagles and Victoria Mariners of the BCPBL. Siblings Owen and Eric Luchies—who also played for the Eagles before both moved on to Lower Columbia College of the NWAC junior college conference—will also make their debuts for the club this season.

The team also added Dawson Hurford who grew up in the Greater Victoria area but played for the PBL’s Langley Blaze before moving onto Western Nebraska College.

Rounding out the signings are four players—Haldon Craig, Jacob Popadynec, Jordan Bond, Daniel Sawchyn—from the local Victoria Golden Tide college team of the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC). Bond and Popadynec are products of the Victoria Eagles, while Craig and Sawchyn played for the Capitals AAA program and Victoria Mariners, respectively, prior to joining the Tide.

General Manager Curtis Pelletier has made the signing of local talent a top priority since taking over duties in 2018:

“The kids in the stands all hope to wear the HC one day and we’re making that a reality now.” said Pelletier. “Get used to seeing local players on the field here in the summer as there is some serious talent coming through our programs.”

Island baseball fans are sure to have a number of hometown heroes to cheer for this summer, when HarbourCats begin their season on May. 31 against the Port Angeles Lefties at Royal Athletic Park in downtown Victoria.