Rangers Standout Catches Sounders Attention
Cole Kulhanek, a standout 2004 Rangers goalkeeper has been awarded the opportunity to join the Seattle Sounders Development Academy. The US Soccer Development Academy (DA), has 197 total clubs, comprised of teams across six age groups in the boys’ program and four age groups in the girls’ program. The DA features youth academies and youth clubs from various organizations, including the MLS, the NWSL and the USL.
Cole started his youth soccer career as a part-time goalkeeper, often splitting games as a goalkeeper and as a field player. When Cole tried out for his first premier team at U12 he was selected to the U12 Rangers Blue team. It was there his passion for the goalkeeper position blossomed.
“Honestly I don’t think you set out looking to be a goalkeeper.” Cole explains. “I think the position basically finds you. At least that is what happened to me. I didn’t start playing full time goalkeeper until my first year of Rangers where I was on the Blue team.”
By the time Cole hit his U13 season, he was gifted with a natural size, talent, athleticism, and an unmatched work ethic. The WFC Rangers staff helped Cole utilise these assets and continued his development for the past three seasons. Cole started playing with the Sounders through their Discovery program last year as a U14 player, which allowed him the opportunity to guest play and train with their DA teams. He tried out this summer for the 2004 Sounder DA team and was selected to their roster.
“Cole has shown an incredible amount of potential and drive at such a young age,” said Rangers Director of Goalkeeping Jamie Arthurs. “We challenged him to train with the oldest goalkeepers in our club. He continues to impress me with his maturity, body awareness, and technical abilities. He has earned the opportunity to compete in the DA and we are all excited to see where his soccer journey takes him.”
“I think this opportunity found me because of hard work and support from my Rangers coaches. I will keep going 100% like I did back in my first year with Rangers and see where it goes,” Cole said when asked about his opportunity with the Sounders DA “I still can’t believe it. It is a huge challenge for me. It pushes me to my full limit and more. Some of my new teammates play for the U15 US National Team and the competition is unbelievable.”
Cole played a vital role for his 2004 Ranger Gold team last season. Playing in RCL Division 1, competition was stiff. Cole was an integral part of the teams defense, facing countless shots every game. “Cole would regularly come up with big saves in a big match,” explains Cole’s former Ranger coach Ian Cairns. “Many times the ball looked destined for the back of the net only to have him make the save. It always energized the team an kept us in many matches.”
Although excited about his new opportunity, Cole adds, “My 04 Gold team has a lot of history together. Training, traveling, school, and hanging out. No matter the situation, we were in it together. That is what I will miss.”
The Whatcom Rangers Premier soccer program has developed numerous talented players that have gone on to play in the US Soccer Development Academies (DA). A few recent standouts:
Cole Kalhunek (2004, Sounders DA)
Abby Arnold (2003, Crossfire DA)
Gus Diehl (2000, Sounders DA, WWU)
Bryce Logan (1998, Crossfire DA, UW)
Kim Hazlett (1997, Crossfire DA, Univ. Portland)
Kendra Steele (1998, Crossfire DA, Univ. Portland)
Auden Schilder (Sounders DA, UW)
