Michael Smith Signs with San Diego Legion of the MLR: We Look at the Timeline since 2015
Our rugby articles on Michael Smith began in January 2015 when he represented the BCRU at the Vegas 7s, he was at Earl Marriott HS at the time.
We go from January to March 2015 and Michael is playing for Canada U17 West in their 2 match series against Canada East. West wins the two game series 74-24.
In 2016 Michael is part of the BCRU U18 team under coach Shane Thompson that wins Gold at the Vegas 7s. Also on that team Brandon Schellenberger, Elias Ergas, Logan Martin-Feek, Brennig Prevost, Evan Norris.
In April 2016 comes the Canada U18 tour to Ireland. Michael plays blindside flanker on the tour, and San Diego teammate Joshua Thiel is inside centre. Other MLR’s on that tour were Will Kelly, Steve Ng, Liam Murray, Fraser Hurst. Canada 7s player Jacob Thiel is openside flanker on the tour, and James O’Neill is #8.
Michael Smith and Jake Thiel again team up in the loose forwards in the summer of 2016 as BC wins the National U19 title under the capable coaching of Curry Hitchborn. Michael is now playing for UBC.
In December of 2016 Michael is playing for Canada U19 in their annual holiday series against the USA. He’s lining up at openside in this series, Canada wins the first match 29-22.
Canada announce their U19 April 2017 tour to Wales squad, Michael is listed along with fellow MLR player Quinn Ngawati (New York).
In 2017 BC repeats as National U19 champs with Michael Smith in the rosters and Curry Hitchborn coaching.
In the fall of 2017 Smith and UBC win the inaugural Canadian University Championship with Curry Hitchborn as coach.
UBC plays in the BC Premier league with UBC winning the 2015 to 2017 titles.
Michael is announced on the Canada U20 team for 2018. They win the Canada v USA series by +20 and represent North America at the Junior World Trophy Tournament.
UBC win the Canadian University Championship for the second year in 2018. Smith is named to the tournament Championship XV along with teammate Will Percillier now playing at Stade Francais.
In 2019 BC puts together a team to win the Vancouver 7s, Smith is on the team along with Fraser Hurst (Utah Warriors).
Smith continues to rack up the playing minutes in 2019 and pre-COVID 2020 with UBC in the BC Premier under the tutelage of Curry Hitchborn. He not only plays flanker but appears at inside centre as well.
In September 2020 he’s part of the Pacific Pride aka Canadian Development Academy training group.
January 14th 2021, San Diego Legion of the MLR announce the signing of Michael Smith for the 2021 season.
Congrats Michael and we look forward to continuing the narrative.