Hallie Nystedt committed to the Timberwolves in 2017 before playing five years for UNBC. In 2019, it was Avery Nystedt signing on with UNBC Women’s Soccer, where she has started every game over the last two seasons. This morning, the pipeline continued. Today, University of Northern British Columbia Men’s Soccer officially announced the commitment of physical, skilled defender Koss Nystedt for the 2023 Canada West season, and beyond.

“This means so much to me. Even as a kid, I really hoped to make it this far. I have known Steve my entire life, so it’s great that I get to train with him. He knows a lot about me and I think he can really develop me as a player.”

Steve Simonson, the reigning U SPORTS National Coach of the Year, first coached his newest recruit when Nystedt was just ten years old, and has seen him develop by leaps and bounds into a defender who has the makings of an impact player at the university level.

“I am thrilled to add Koss to our program at UNBC. I have known Koss for many years and watched his development carefully. I think he has all the attributes to be a top defender in U SPORTS and am very happy that he has chosen to join the Timberwolves. He truly is a dominant center back in the BCSPL and I think he will be able to make a jump quickly to university soccer. Today is a good day for us.”

The rangy six-foot-three center back visited UNBC’s Prince George campus, where he was able to train with the current iteration of the TWolves, under the watchful eye of Simonson and his assistant coaches Francesco Bartolillo and Rob Lewis. That visit, along with following the Timberwolves for years, made an impression on his decision to make the green and gold his home for the next five years.

“I love this facility because you can work on so much by yourself and just get better individually and as a team. Any time you want, you can come out here. It’s a beautiful area too. I am really happy I get the chance to be here.”

What comes along with being the little brother of two longtime TWolves, though? A comfort level with the UNBC way, and a little bit of ribbing from his future teammates, of course.

“I know a lot of the guys. My sisters have gone through and introduced me to them. I feel very welcome here. The guys will tease me a little bit.”

Growing up in the Vancouver Island Wave system, Nystedt plays with great pace and a tremendous ability to use his frame to his advantage for coach Ryan McCurdy’s style of game. At just 17-years-old, he will continue to fill out, but the Stelly’s Secondary student already possesses the physicality to step onto the pitch at the Canada West level.

“I just love to play aggressive and dominant. I love to beat you to the ball and I really like to score, which you don’t see a lot. So, I like flying forward sometimes.”

Set to graduate from Stelly’s in June, Nystedt will join his new teammates for training camp in July. He intends to enroll in UNBC’s computer science program, and continue a soccer journey that started when he was just five years old.

“There are so many things to get better at. Since a young age, I have played almost every sport. The energy around the sport, is more competitive, I feel. I really love the community around here. It has been a great opportunity.”