Alberta’s D2 is ready to compete and attempt to complete a 3-peat at this year’s Vancouver Invitational.

They’ve got a new-look to their team this year with Cory Harrower returning to competitive rugby after taking some time away from the sport and new players like Cody Kerbs adding to the squad. The new faces will be joined by a number of established D2 regulars.

Ones To Watch

Kenny Hicks 2.0*

The ageless wonder continues to impress and is still among the best mid-point players in the division. A smart player who spaces the court well and uses his voice to direct play even when he doesn’t the ball. Underestimate this willy veteran at your own risk.

Cory Harrower 3.0F

A multiple-time All-Star and Canadian Nationals and a player with significant D1 experience, Cory Harrower is back on the rugby court and ready to play! Shifty and strong, she’ll be the key offensive playmaker for Alberta in this year’s competitive D2 field.

Alberta 2 will open their campaign vs Quebec 2 on Friday March 31 at 10am.

Roster

Seattle Slam 2 is bringing a hi-lo to D2. The 2nd of the two Seattle teams, Slam 2, definitely isn’t a B squad. Player/Coach Jeremy Hannaford will look to lead the way and direct his newer high-pointers to find breakdowns in the defense.

Ones To Watch

Kaley Dugger 3.5F

Fresh off competing with Canada at the Women’s Cup, Dugger will bring her intensity and agility back to her club. One of the quickest players in this year’s D2 field, she’ll be a challenge for opposing teams to keep in check. Watch out for her match-ups with old teammates when Seattle faces BC 2 and Alberta 2!

Jeremy Hannaford 1.0

The veteran class 1.0 in the team’s hi-lo line-up, Hannaford will likely have a key role as an inbounder and a strong defender. His strong pick is difficult for opposing players to get off of, and in the fast-paced sport of Wheelchair Rugby, a couple of seconds can be the difference between a try and a turnover.

Seattle Slam This Season

The Slam has been a solid D2/D3 team all year long in the USWRA posting strong results at their home tournament, the Slam On The Sound, back in the fall and more recently at the Paul Gray Memorial Wheelchair Rugby Tournament in Texas.

Roster

Follow the Slam on Facebook and Instagram to learn more.

Always a crowd favorite at the Vancouver Invitational, the Seattle Slam return this year with not one, but two teams.

Seattle Slam 1 brings a balanced line-up to the Oval with three ball handlers and rapidly improving 0.5 Sebastien Broussard.

By splitting their teams in two, the Slam has put in two distinctive teams where everyone should see time on the floor.

Ones To Watch

Sebastian Broussard 0.5

Broussard represented the United States in Low-Point Wheelchair Rugby at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, and has shown tons of potential the past few years. Watch out for his impressive bump pass both off on inbounds and in a pinch.

Jake Wheeler 2.5

A great post-up player and heavy hitter, Wheeler recently made the switch from Portland to Seattle and gives the Slam another strong mid-point player. A talented passer with a forceful push, he’ll be tough for defenses to contain.

Seattle Slam 1 open the competition on Friday, March 31 at noon vs Seattle Slam 2 on Court 2.

The Portland Pounders are back again in 2023 and have their sights set on the title after finishing as runners-up for the past two years.

A fixture at the VI, Portland has competed in every edition of the tournament and has won titles in both Division 1 and Division 2.

Offensively they’ll be led by 3.5 Justin Beavers and 3.0 Michael Summerson, while a stable of savvy and speedy low-pointers will look to cause havoc on defense and open up lanes for Beavers and Summerson to attack.

Ones to Watch

Justin Beavers (3.5)

The speedy 3.5 and emerging talent continues to improve for Portland/ Incredibly agile with phenomenal turning ability, he’s taken his game up a notch this year, learning under Canadian star Zak Madell and helping Portland to the 5th seed in the USWRA rankings.

With Madell busy with Team Alberta in Vancouver, Beavers will have the reigns of Portland’s offense in D2 as they look to make their 3rd straight final and come out on top this year.

Max Woodbury – 1.0

One of the most experienced players at this year’s event – Woodbury was named Best Low-Pointer last year and should once again cause plenty of problems for opposing teams at the Oval!

With great speed for his classification, an underrated pass and the smarts to manipulate opposing players, don’t be surprised to see Max make clutch plays for the Pounders. Great low-pointers are often x-factors at the D2 level, and Max is definitely one of them.

Portland This Season

As mentioned above, Portland is currently ranked 5th in the USWRA. They’ll be competing in Division 1 at U.S. Nationals next month in Rockford, Illinois, and have been one of the stronger teams on the West Coast this season.

Portland will open the Vancouver Invitational on Friday, March 31st at 10am against Alberta 2 on Court 2.