Graduating Senior Q&A: Carter, Sievert, Luczkiewicz, Popravka to be feted on Sunday

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – It's hard to believe that Senior Day is already here for MacEwan men's soccer, but the Griffins will indeed play their final home regular season games this weekend.

Set to host Mount Royal on Saturday and Calgary on Sunday (both 12 p.m., Edmonton Scottish, Canada West TV), four graduating seniors will be feted following the match against the Dinos.

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Chance Carter, Jakob Sievert, Nicolas Luczkiewicz and Oleksandr Popravka will be celebrated on Sunday as they head into the final few games of their MacEwan careers.

"In a tough situation, I thought they just handled it well," said Griffins head coach of the foursome, who came into the program as a bridge between what was previously built and what will come. "We had the builders – the Mikey Hos, the Sheldon Prasads, the Stefan Gajics – who built the program and got us to playoffs. But we needed someone to sustain it and move it forward. So many things on the peripheral have been added that go unnoticed, like the community work. 

"There was a transitional moment from that OG crew that they were kind of left in. They were dealt a tough hand. For them to stick it out (is impressive). I think it's a resilient group of four guys, to be honest."

Enjoy a graduating senior Q&A with all four of them below:

CHANCE CARTER

Adam Loga's coach's quote:

"When he's healthy for a stretch, I have no doubt he's the best player in the league and that's what hurts so bad when he is out. We all know his value. His presence when he walks into the dressing room or steps onto the field, automatically everyone's level gets better. He makes everyone around him better. So, he's a guy we're going to miss a lot. Unfortunately, we didn't get him as many games as we would have liked just given the injuries. We've really felt his buy-in the last two years. At the end of the day, he did retire from pro soccer at age 19. But you see his buy in. Just being on the leadership group this year, he's ready to take this program to a higher level and he could have single-handedly. It's sad to see him go. There was so much left out there due to (injuries). He's played basically every position for us down the spine."

Chance Carter was a trailblazer as a player who played professionally before coming to MacEwan, setting a standard of high-level play with the Griffins (Daniel Zappe photo).

Q&A with Chance Carter:

What are you going to be graduating with and when?

"I'm graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce, major in Accounting, minor in Finance. I'm looking to graduate next fall."

Do you have a career goal in mind?

"I have my own soccer company. It's called CC Football. We just started an academy. Actually, we're kicking off Oct. 15. We have a development squad that caters to high performance kids that are not seen or go under the radar, who can't make it out to Whitecaps or TFC – the two or three MLS academies we have in Canada. We offer the first and only no cost high performance program in the city after FC Edmonton left. I feel like that's a pretty big deal right now."

How has your schooling and soccer career prepared you for this?

"I started by going into Science. I thought being a dentist was what I wanted to do, but as I started this company – I started it a year and a half ago now – I just realized how much I love the business side of things. That made me switch over. Ever since then, I've been enjoying it. Really just going all in on the business side. I'm considering a future in Private Equities or something along those lines. There are so many roads you can take in the business area."

Do you have any plans to keep playing soccer?

"No plans to keep playing. I'm getting too old. I'll keep active with my soccer company CC Football."

Over your time with the Griffins, what stands out for favourite memories?

"I think for sure it was my first year when we made playoffs. That's a core memory. And honestly making the transition from pro to university. Loga really helped me out. Originally, I was going to just do school, and I wasn't in a head space to keep playing soccer. I just wanted to put it to the side and focus on school, but Loga reached out and was just a good person to lean on in that time. He convinced me that playing for the team would be a good thing to do. I gave it a try and here I am five years later."

You're the first guy in Griffins' recent history who played pro before going to school. Now there are a few who've done that. What was it like to be a trailblazer for those guys?

"I think it was special just seeing the switch at MacEwan. I feel like before my time there wasn't really any of that. I think being a role model for those players is special for me – the most recent one being Paul Amedume. I had a helping hand in getting him here and just reaching out and letting him know the pros and cons, and that this pathway is available for players like ourselves."

You hold the record for the most points by a Griffin in a Canada West game (4 last season at UNBC). What do you remember about that one?

"That one is a special memory, too. The birthday game, as I call it. Two goals. Two assists. I think it was our best road performance, since I've been with the team, at least. Ricky (Yassin) had a great game the game before that. I think he got Canada West player of the week. It was just really good from MacEwan as a team. For me, it was a special moment. A couple goals playing out of position – not my usual midfield role. But just doing what I can to help the team out. That season they needed a striker, so I did what I could up there, and it turned out well."

�� RECORD ALERT
Four-point game!
Chance Carter scores his second of the night and becomes the first player in program history to record four points in a @CanadaWest match!#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/0SXUyCUVvL

— MacEwan Griffins Men's Soccer (@GriffinsMSOC) September 16, 2024

What do you think your legacy with the program is?

"For me, I am a quiet leader. I'm loud, screaming and vocal. I'm not the guy at the front of the line. I kind of lead behind the scenes. I pull guys aside, I talk to them individually. I will reach out to guys like Paul, guys like Kelsey (Egwu) – guys who were pros – they can listen to me and use me for guidance. I think if I was to be remembered, just a quiet leader, somebody you can go to for advice and direction."

Is there anything else you'd like to say about your time with the Griffins?

"Honestly, I'd say just no regrets. Going down the university route was the right decision. I think everything happens for a reason. In my time with the Whitecaps, I had multiple offers from D1 schools – from UCLA, to Texas to Washington – and I said no to all of them to pursue pro. Then a couple years later I decided to drop pro and go to school. It was MacEwan that I landed on. I came to MacEwan and it's been no regrets for me. Loga's helped me a ton, pointed me in the right direction. I started my business during my time at MacEwan, met people I wouldn't have met if I'd have moved away. No regrets. MacEwan's been a blast and it's brought me to where I am today."

JAKOB SIEVERT

Adam Loga's coach quote:

"Soldier. He came in and was on the team that made playoffs. He's just a soldier, a builder of the program. He kind of became the face of the program – just nurturing for the players, disciplining them, and has been a great extension for us as a staff. He's a person who doesn't always get recognized on the field, but he breaks up plays, the takeaways, the duels won – kind of the unsung hero at a position that doesn't really get the praise or the glory. The games he's out we usually struggle. You just see his value. It's kind of one of those things you don't know what you've got until it's gone. I think the players will see that moving on in the program, but us as a staff don't see it that way at all. We totally knew what we had."

Griffins captain Jakob Sievert brought leadership and gritty play to the pitch, often working as an unsung hero for the team (Norman Bo photo).

Q&A with Jakob Sievert

What are you graduating with and when?

"I'll be graduating in June with a degree in International Business and a minor in Finance."

Do you have a career goal in mind?

"Not a particular goal in mind, but I want to find a job in the end that's fulfilling, fun and gives me the opportunity to build a healthy family environment."

Do you have any plans to keep playing soccer?

"Maybe just for fun. Maybe a little bit on the side, not to the same extent I'm playing right now. I'm going back to Europe to continue my studies in Denmark in a Masters' program. Maybe I'll find a team there and see where that takes me, but nothing crazy."

What are you going to be studying for your Masters?

"Probably Digital Business. That's the plan right now, but I have to see if I get accepted. I have to figure out a Plan B and C, but probably those would be in Europe because I can study for free there."

How much of an honour has it been to have been the captain of this team?

"Great honour. As of right now, things haven't worked out as we wanted in the beginning of the season, but still it's been a great honour to captain the team. It helped me to grow as a person and a leader."

What stands out as your favourite memories with the Griffins?

"Making playoffs (in 2021). That was a great feeling. Sadly, we only got to experience that once so far. Also, another favourite realization is the team environment changed over the years to a more healthy environment. Loga did a great job building this and now the results, I'm sure, will follow eventually."

GOAL!
Jakob Sievert ties the game, slotting a low strike into the corner!
Great long ball by Liam Van Laar as the @MacEwanGriffins draw even 2-2 in the 82nd minute.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/I8Zg2ZqXTT

— MacEwan Griffins Men's Soccer (@GriffinsMSOC) August 30, 2025

Do you have a goal that stands out for you?

"When I scored the goal against U of A (earlier this season), that was a nice moment. Celebrating after with the boys. I picked that as my senior pic as well."

What is your legacy with the Griffins?

"I would like to be remembered as a nice and open person that's always willing to help, no matter who. My legacy is I think I'm the first international student to finish their degree here. At least for men's soccer that's me. I think that's a nice legacy. I've made many friends here that I will remember my whole life and I think some also will remember me their whole life."

Anything else you'd like to say about your time with the Griffins?

"Just that I enjoyed my time here. I hope more international students from Europe get to experience being a student-athlete in North America because I think that's something that is not on the radar for many students, mainly in Europe. I think it's a valuable experience being away from home, building your own life in a new environment. It teaches you a lot for life later. I think that's something I would recommend to students."

NICOLAS LUCZKIEWICZ

Adam Loga's coach quote:

"Nic's awesome. He's pretty consistent right from the get-go. In this position as a student-athlete, life, especially as you get into your 20s takes over a bit. He's doing his Co-op, he's working 9-5. He initially just felt with the demands that being a student-athlete brings, it gets to be too much with his own personal life. We were able to balance it and bring him back and we're happy that he's back. Especially, I think with the roster cap and the man games we've lost so far this year, I couldn't imagine not having him. Solid, consistent, a great kid. His growth over the last three years as a human has been tremendous. He has years of eligibility left, so we'll see, but it's sad to see him go."

Nicolas Łuczkiewicz still holds the program record for the most assists by a Griffins rookie in a Canada West season with four in 2023 (Norman Bo photo).

Q&A with Nicolas Luczkiewicz:

What are you going to be graduating with and when?

Initially, I did the insurance risk management program. I laddered that into a Business Law degree. So, I'm going to graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce Business Law or Legal Studies major. This will be my last full year. I might have a couple classes to finish after that.

Do you have a career goal in mind?

I'm working in an insurance brokerage right now. I'm enjoying it. I think it's a good future, so I'm going to continue with that. Ultimately, I want to own my own insurance brokerage. That's the ultimate goal one day. Just learning the ropes right now."

Do you have plans to continue playing soccer?

"Yeah, recreationally around the Edmonton leagues. It's always fun. I play every summer and every winter as well. I love the game, so I just want to keep playing as long as my body will let me."

Do you have a favourite goal you scored and I think I might know your answer to this seeing as you scored your first one last Sunday?

"Yeah, I do have a favourite one as there's only one. Hopefully there will be more before the season ends."

GOAL��
Nicolas Luczkiewicz has his first career goal!
And the @MacEwanGriffins have the lead on @UBCOHeat, 1-0 late in the first half.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/JyA5u9NzSL

— MacEwan Griffins Men's Soccer (@GriffinsMSOC) September 21, 2025

What do you remember most about that goal?

"The play built up, it went down the left wing. I saw it coming in and saw it rolling right to me, but Macky was in front of me and Macky's the kind of guy who likes to take the shot himself. I screamed to Macky at the top of my lungs, 'Macky leave it!' Thank God, he actually left it because it went right to my foot, and I didn't make a mistake. I'm glad he left it that time."

You hold the program record for the most assists by a rookie in a Canada West season (4 in 2023). What do you remember most about that season?

"Honestly, Loga just gave me a lot of trust that season. I went into that season not expecting to play all that much, but there were some players that ended up leaving in preseason and some got injured, so I got my chance. I think I started almost every game. I always put in 100 per cent and the chances came and I got those assists. That was a good season. I was happy I was able to contribute to the success the team had."

What are some of your favourite memories over your time with the Griffins?

"Honestly, the road trips are always a lot of fun, especially the road trips to B.C. Just hanging out with all the guys, going for team dinners, team bonding events. It's cool just to be with all the guys on trips. The ones to Sask and Calgary, as well."

What you like to be remembered for? What's your legacy you're leaving to the team?

I'd like to be remembered as a guy who always put 100 per cent on the field in the games. I don't think there's a single game I ever played for MacEwan that I half-assed. I always want to be remembered that if you put Nic on the field, he's going to do a job, he's going to do what's asked of him. He's going to put 100 per cent because I always want to win."

Anything else you'd like to say about your time with the Griffins?

"I will say this. We have five games left in this season and this season did not go the way we wanted it to go so far. But we have five games left and we're going to keep fighting because I know we can still make playoffs. We just need to get some wins under our belts. Even after my time is done at MacEwan, I hope the team continues to work hard and gives the other teams some challenges because I want to see them make playoffs even when I'm gone." 

OLEKSANDR POPRAVKA

Adam Loga's coach quote:

"Stability. He's a veteran, so he brings just his leadership, his presence. I think he came at a time where we needed somebody like Oleks, for sure, in the locker-room. He's great. He's awesome. He's hilarious. Him coming in last year was out of retirement, so he had a little bit of a slower start than he would have wanted, but by mid-season he was just class. It's unfortunate he broke his fingers (and was out) the last four or five games of that playoff push. This season, he's been doing fairly well."

Oleksandr Popravka makes a save against UBC Okanagan last Sunday. He's been a steady presence for the Griffins over the last two seasons (Norman Bo photo).

Q&A with Oleksandr Popravka:

What will you be graduating with and when?

"I'm graduating with a Business Management Diploma. This is technically my last year, but I will have more classes next year."

Do you have a career goal in mind?

"I already started, and I want to continue after I stop playing. I want to be a coach. I already coach kids with the Sting soccer club.

What age group have you been coaching?

"Right now I coach U15 kids, but I also have a position as a goalkeeper coach and technical lead for the guys program."

Do you plan to keep playing soccer?

"This is going to be the last few games in my career. I'm retiring. I will enjoy every moment of these last few games."

Fantastic first half save by Oleksandr Popravka! pic.twitter.com/TZkDDgbFKp

— MacEwan Griffins Men's Soccer (@GriffinsMSOC) September 21, 2025

You've been with the Griffins for two years, what is your favourite memory of being here?

"My favourite memory is when we beat Lethbridge 4-0 on my birthday last year."

I recall you had to run through a line of teammates afterward and they slapped you on the back in celebration?

"Yeah. It was a good game, I had a clean sheet, we won. It was a good day."

Do you have a particular save that stands out to you?

"I think it was an important save because it let us win – it was a last-minute save against WolfPack last year on the away game. We won 3-2 and I made a save at the last second."

What do you think your legacy is with the program?

"I want to share experience with the guys, how to enjoy the moment that they have because at some point they're going to stop playing and they won't be able to have that anymore. I'm retired and am not going to play (anymore). So, I try to share experience and try to make them better."

Do you have anything you'd like to say about your time with the Griffins?

"I want to say good luck in the future. I hope they will improve and go to the final stages in national U SPORTS."