Article content

TORONTO — Despite grinding out an admirable career in Europe, Nik Ledgerwood wonders if he could have gone further.

Did he reach his potential? Was there another level for him beyond the German second division? How did his early development — or lack thereof — in Alberta influence his career?

From his home in Lethbridge last week, Ledgerwood, 33, said he’s proud of what he has accomplished, yet perplexed by a hypothetical: What if Canada had its own, sustainable soccer league two decades ago, when he was a teen with little choice but to roll the dice overseas.

“When I went to Europe, I saw the facilities European kids (benefited from),” the Canadian international said. “There’s a side of me that said, ‘If I had this when I was a kid, who knows what kind of opportunities would have been there for me.’

“But that’s what this next generation of Canadians will have. They’ll have proper facilities, proper coaching and a professional club to look up to all the time.”

After years of whispers and rumours and hints from prominent voices within the tight-knit Canadian soccer community, the Canadian Premier League introduced itself Friday with the unveiling of the CPL’s emblem and vision.

“To the world, it’s the Beautiful Game,” a promotional video states. “To us, it’s proving we belong in the neighbourhoods and cities that make us who we are.