A familiar face, with a familiar name, has rejoined the Vancouver Whitecaps organization.
Valter Sedin signed a professional contract with Whitecaps FC 2 on Thursday. The 19-year-old returns to Vancouver after leaving in January 2025 to play with Hammarby IF U19.
The son of Vancouver Canucks co-president of hockey operations, Henrik Sedin, Valter obviously has great sporting genes. But despite growing up around a Hockey Hall of Fame father and uncle, he chose soccer, not hockey.
“I just never loved hockey in the same way that I loved football,” Valter explained in his first interview as a professional athlete. “Around 2018 I really was like, this is what I really want to do.”
Valter Sedin joined his dad and uncle on stage at the NHL Awards in 2018. (@Canucks/X)
While hockey held an important place in the Sedin household, so did soccer.
“Hockey was obviously huge growing up around it,” Valter said. “But at home I’d say soccer was equally big. My mom played at a high level… It wasn’t one or the other.”
Despite his famous last name, Valter said he had a “pretty normal childhood,” growing up in Vancouver. And his dad didn’t put pressure on him.
“He’ll come with a little snippet here and there in the car or something,” Valter said of his dad’s input. “A lot of it’s him leading by example and a little bit of advice here and there.”
Valter’s pro soccer path
Valter’s ready to go with WFC 2. (@wcfc2/X)
Valter describes himself as an intense midfielder who likes to win the ball and carry the team forward.
Kind of like Sebastian Berhalter?
“Looking at him and the journey he took… not just who he was as a player, which was insane box to box. That’s how I kind of think of myself. [Berhalter] would come out for a second (training) session in the afternoon, he would take free kicks. It probably wasn’t as big part of his game for him then, but now you see his delivery, and that’s what sets him apart. His mentality and everything is so inspirational.”
Another chapter. Another step forward. 🌊
Valter Sedin's journey continues.#WFC2 pic.twitter.com/0YgAZVyfER— Whitecaps FC 2 (@wfc2) August 20, 2026
As Valter looks to make strides with WFC 2, the next step is to earn a first-team contract. If he keeps improving, it might not be long before we see him perform for Whitecaps FC at BC Place.
“I mean that would be incredible. That’s the goal. Obviously coming back here that was something that I thought of as an option. How soon can I get there?”
He knows it’ll take a lot of hard work.
“That starts with performing in training… then going out with the second team and pushing the team in a way where my role gets noticed. Putting in performances where I’m solid and consistent enough where I can do the job with the first team. In the end it’s can you do what they are asking you to do. Even if you’re a great player and you can’t do that, then you’re not going to get called up.”
The Whitecaps could sign Valter to a short-term MLS contract agreement, which would make him eligible to play in MLS matches. He’s also eligible to play in the Canadian Championship.
And here’s another difference between Valter and his father. This Sedin represents Canada, not Sweden, internationally. Valter helped Canada qualify for next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup, ending a 20-year drought for the country.