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Mike Rataich has officially signed with the UNB Saint John Seawolves men’s soccer team for the 2023 varsity season.

Rataich is a graduate of St John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School in Hamilton, Ontario, where he held down the net for the 2023 GHAC champion Cardinals. Rataich’s Cardinals finished the 2023 season as AAA OFSAA finalists, falling just short of the title in a 1-0 finals loss. On top of that, Mike helped his team become City Champions and win the Lou Ramos Cup.

A multisport athlete, Rataich was a two-time City Champion for volleyball as well.

For Mike, soccer has taught him many valuable life lessons. While soccer started as a source of fun and entertainment, Rataich notes how it quickly taught him discipline, especially during the moments when he was too tired to train but kept pushing. He also sees the game as the ultimate escape from reality the moment he steps on the pitch. Now, Mike says soccer for him has transitioned to “a passion where my goals are nothing short of making it to the top.”

Seawolves assistant coach Justin Leslie discovered Mike on a recruitment website based out of Ontario. “Myself, along with all the other coaches, were extremely impressed with Mike’s overall ability,” said Leslie. “He is a very tall and athletic goalkeeper and is exactly what we were looking for coming into the 2023 season.”

Rataich was initially drawn to UNB Saint John by the soccer program, but was ultimately swayed by a variety of factors. “Through research, a campus tour and the pleasure of meeting the coaches it made me ecstatic to move from Hamilton to Saint John.”

In his first year, Mike hopes to “build a strong relationship with my defenders to understand their play style and adjust to the experience they have. I also have the goal to improve drastically as a keeper overall.”

Leslie and the rest of the coaches believe Mike will be able to do just that. “I believe Mike will be a solid addition as a goalkeeper for the next 4 years. He is eager, has a great willingness to learn and adapt, and we believe he will be one of our core players for the next couple of years.”

Off the pitch, Rataich will be pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, after which he sees many possible career paths. Some options that interest him include professional goalkeeper, professor of psychology, clinical psychologist, and high school teacher. 

Welcome to the Seawolves Family, Mike!