Calgary Wild announce signing of Muhtaj as first player, NHL player Morrissey club investor

Calgary Wild FC has named Afghanistan women’s soccer captain Farkhunda Muhtaj as its first player and also announced Winnipeg Jets defender Josh Morrissey as an investor in the team.

Wild FC is one of six Northern Super League teams set to play in a Canadian women’s professional soccer league in 2025.

The Calgary club introduced Muhtaj and Morrissey at a news conference Friday in downtown Calgary.

“This comes with a lot of responsibility, making sure we’re at the top on the pitch, but also recognizing that we have a social responsibility to our community, and that’s part of the foundation of who we are in the Wild and that will definitely be played.” a big part in why I decided to get involved,” Muhtaj said.

“I truly believe that the Calgary Wild is the perfect fit.”

Muhtaj captained the Afghan women while the team played internationally, playing Canadian college soccer at York University and playing professionally in Turkey and the Netherlands.

The midfielder’s parents, Rashad and Zohra, emigrated from Afghanistan to Toronto when she was two years old.

From her home in Canada, she helped evacuate the girls youth team and their families from Afghanistan in 2021 following the Taliban takeover of the country.

During a rescue mission called Operation Soccer Balls, Muhtaj communicated with the girls and helped arrange their departure from a country that bans the participation of women and girls in sports.

Morrissey, a native of Calgary, has joined the club’s investor group.

The 29-year-old is entering his 10th season with the Winnipeg Jets and was in Calgary ahead of Saturday’s game against the Flames.

“Growing up here in Calgary as a young hockey player, I was fortunate to have an NHL team and NHL players to look up to in my city,” Morrissey said.

“Watching my idols like Jarome Iginla play inspired me to pursue my dream of playing in the NHL. With Wild FC coming to Calgary, young women have the opportunity to look up to a professional women’s team playing at the highest level and to look up to incredible athletes and idols like Far to help inspire them, just as my idols inspired me.”

Muhtaj, 26, continues to use sports to support refugee settlement in Canada through the Scarborough Simbas recreational soccer team and the creation of Ayenda FC, the unofficial Afghan national youth soccer team in 2021.

The professional women’s soccer teams in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver are expected to begin play in April 2025.

The NSL was founded by former Canadian team player and two-time Olympic bronze medalist Diana Matheson.

Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair is on board as co-owner of the Vancouver Rise.

The Wild introduced Lara Murphy as the club’s CEO and Lisa Oldridge as Chief Financial and Operating Officer earlier this week. The team plays at McMahon Stadium.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 25, 2024.