TUKWILA, WASHINGTON (April 1, 2021) – The Seattle Seawolves have signed capped Canada 7s and former University of British Columbia winger, Karsten Leitner.
From Vancouver, Canada Leitner played most of his youth rugby for St. George’s School in his hometown. He continued to play at the University of British
Columbia alongside former Seawolf, Brock Staller, and current player, Nakai Penny, as part of a successful few years for the program. Leitner was a
member of the Thunderbirds’ BC Premiership League Championships (2013-2015) and their 7s team that took back-to-back titles at the Las Vegas Invitational
alongside the World Rugby Sevens Series circuit stop. His first chance for national team representation came through Rugby Canada’s U20 program, where
he toured with Canada to the Junior World Trophy tournament in 2015 with a second-place overall finish. Continued development and progress opened up
more opportunities, this time in the sevens format of the game, earning Maple Leaf and Sevens National Team caps from 2015-2018. Leitner played in
17 World Seven Series matches across the three years and scored his first try in Dubai against Kenya. In 2018, he switched his focus back to fifteens with UBCOB Ravens and won two more BC Premiership League titles in 2018 and
2019, while also an active member of Canada’s centralized program and suited up for Canada ‘A’ several times. Leitner was slated to join Major League
Rugby with Atlanta but an injury delayed his entrance to the league. The wing adds more depth to Seattle’s back three and brings speed paired with
strong carrying ability to the Seawolves for 2021.
“Humbled for the opportunity to be a part of a championship franchise, that not only seeks greatness on the field, but to grow the game and benefit the
Seattle community as a whole,” said Leitner. “I’m looking forward to competing day in and day out, with a great group of players in our hunt for a
third championship.”
The Seattle Seawolves have a BYE in week three of MLR and will return to regular season play on April 10, traveling to Salt Lake City to face the Utah
Warriors. Kick off at Zions Bank Stadium will be at 6:00 PM PT on Saturday, April 10. Viewers inside the United States can tune in live on ROOT SPORTS and The Rugby Network.
Viewers outside of the United States can tune in live on The Rugby Network
.
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