Dittmer signs with hometown Bobcats

Kaylee Dittmer faced a bigger choice than most Grade 12 athletes this summer.

Not only did the Vincent Massey Viking have to pick where to go to school, she also had to choose a sport.

The hockey and soccer star opted for cleats over skates, signing with the Brandon University Bobcats for the 2025 Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference women’s soccer season.

“It was a tough decision choosing between hockey and soccer, as I’ve grown up playing both sports, but it’s a great opportunity to stay in my hometown and attend university while playing on such a strong soccer team,” Dittmer said.

“It took (until the) last minute to decide which to do. I got quite a few offers on the hockey side. It was definitely a tough decision, but I don’t think anything can beat playing in my hometown.”

Dittmer most recently skated for the under-18 AAA Brandon Wheat Kings program, posting four goals, eight assists and 30 penalty minutes in the regular season. The five-foot-two forward added four goals and five assists in the team’s five playoff games.

That hot streak in the playoffs encapsulates who Dittmer was for all four years on the pitch for the Vikings.

She scored some big goals as a freshman and never slowed down. She netted a hat trick in the opening match of the city final against Crocus Plains this year as Massey extended its city title streak to nine straight.

“I’ve improved lots playing soccer throughout my life, and especially on Massey. I’ve always played with the same group of girls … which is great,” Dittmer said. “Over the years, we’ve gained lots of chemistry but I’m really excited to take it to the next level, learn new things from new girls and improve that way.”

Dittmer’s game in high school was essentially speed and composure. She would win a race to the ball and stay calm around the goal area to neatly put it away.

But she knows there are levels to this game. In Massey’s last three trips to provincials, it won just two games. The Vikings reached the medal rounds in 2023 but fell 5-1 to the Balmoral Hall Blazers in the semifinals, then lost the bronze-medal match 2-1 to the West Kildonan Wolverines.

They lost both their games in 2024, then finished sixth last season.

Now, Dittmer’s entering a whole new world. But while the college-level games will be faster and more demanding, she’s about to take some big steps.

“I’m excited to see how much I’ll get to improve. I’ve always just trained (mostly) for hockey but I think all that training is also great for soccer. Lots of it’s going to translate over and I’m ready to start training for soccer 100 per cent of the time,” Dittmer said.

“What translates is finding space, always gotta have your head up scanning the field or the ice, always knowing what the next step is before you get the ball or the puck.”

She’s joining Yorkton’s Sara Switzer and Saskatoon’s Sofia Kalyar in the rookie class, while joining the best team in the MCAC.

The Bobcats captured the last two league titles, both with 2-1 final victories over the Providence Pilots.

“I’m very excited. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the organization and the staff. I’ve met quite a lot of the girls at ID camps and they were great to play with,” Dittmer said.

“I really hope to contribute as much to the team as I can, whether it’s on the field or just being a good teammate. My speed is one of the best qualities I have and … I’m excited to improve with the girls that have so much talent.”

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