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Looking back on Daniel Krutzen’s best moments with Forge FC

Daniel Krutzen announced his departure from Forge FC on Sunday, ending one of the most successful tenures in Canadian Premier League history thus far.

“It’s been an incredible ride these past 4 seasons,” Krutzen said in a message to people he described as his Forge family on Instagram. “From playing my first professional minutes, to winning 3 championships in 4 seasons, to going 11 rounds in penalties against an MLS team, to qualifying for the Concacaf Champions League, to tearing my ACL, only to come back and captain the team to its third championship. It’s been an honor to say the least.”

Krutzen went on to thank his teammates and coaches, as well as the Forge fans, and said that he’ll continue to cheer the club on from a distance.

The 26-year-old, regarded by many as the best defender in the league, won three North Star Shield titles with The Hammers. He was an integral part of this early CPL dynasty, a rock at the back and a leader on and off the pitch.

He missed significant time early in 2022 after tearing his ACL toward the end of the 2021 season, but he recovered in time for the final month of the 2022 regular season as Forge tried to make it to an incredible fourth-consecutive North Star Shield final. They would return to the championship game, and with captain Kyle Bekker suspended for the final after being sent off in the semifinals, head coach Bobby Smyrniotis gave Krutzen the armband for the season finale at TD Place in Ottawa.

After goals from Alessandro Hojabrpour and David Choinière secured a 2-0 victory for the Hammers, it was Krutzen who got to lift the trophy into the Ottawa sky, about eleven months after his injury. It was a special moment for one of Forge’s key players, and a CPL great.

Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC celebrates his third North Star Shield (Photo: Audrey Magny)
Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC celebrates his third North Star Shield (Photo: Audrey Magny)

Another unforgettable moment from Krutzen was his 90th-minute winner for Forge in the 2020 Concacaf League over Panamanian side Tauro, a goal that gave them a spot in the quarterfinals of that competition. He’d also score in the quarterfinals against Haitian club Arcahaie, but Forge would bow out of that competition on penalties.

Here’s a look back at some of Krutzen’s other great moments with Forge FC.


Canadian Premier League - Cavalry FC v Hamilton Forge FC - Calgary, Alberta, Canada June 22, 2019 Dominik Zator of Cavalry FC and Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC go high for a corner kick. Mike Sturk/CPL
Dominick Zator of Cavalry FC and Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC go high for a corner kick. Mike Sturk/CPL

 

Cavalry FC's Oliver Minatel (7) battles with Forge FC's Daniel Krutzen (5). (Photo: CPL)
Cavalry FC’s Oliver Minatel (7) battles with Forge FC’s Daniel Krutzen (5). (Photo: CPL)

 

PANAMÁ, PANAMÁ NOVEMBER 3rd:Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC celebrates after score during the match of the preliminary round as part of the CONCACAF LEAGUE tournament held at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium in Panama (Photo CONCACAF/STRAFFON IMAGES/ Alexis Quiroz/Mandatory Credit/Editorial Use/Not for Sale/Not Archive
Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC celebrates after scoring during the match of the preliminary round as part of the CONCACAF LEAGUE tournament held at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium in Panama (Photo CONCACAF/STRAFFON IMAGES/ Alexis Quiroz)

 

Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC celebrates after scoring during the CONCACAF LEAGUE at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium in Panama (Photo CONCACAF/STRAFFON IMAGES/ Alexis Quiroz/Mandatory Credit/Editorial Use/Not for Sale/Not Archive)
Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC celebrates after scoring during the CONCACAF LEAGUE at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium in Panama (Photo CONCACAF/STRAFFON IMAGES/ Alexis Quiroz)

Forge FC’s Daniel Krutzen celebrates his goal with his teammates against Arcahaie FC. (Nelson Pulido/Concacaf)
Forge FC’s Daniel Krutzen celebrates his goal with his teammates against Arcahaie FC. (Nelson Pulido/Concacaf)

 

June 27, 2021. Forge FC vs. Valour. Second-Half. Raphael Ohin and Daniel Krutzen battle for the ball during second-half action.
June 27, 2021. Forge FC vs. Valour. Second-Half. Raphael Ohin and Daniel Krutzen battle for the ball during second-half action.

Daniel Krutzen in action vs. Cavalry. (Photo: Forge FC Hamilton / Brandon Taylor / Jojo Yanjiao Qian)
Daniel Krutzen in action vs. Cavalry. (Photo: Forge FC Hamilton / Brandon Taylor / Jojo Yanjiao Qian)

Daniel Krutzen and Woobens Pacius speak to the media (Photo: David Chant)
Daniel Krutzen and Woobens Pacius speak to the media (Photo: David Chant)

 

Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC leaps into the stands at TD Place to celebrate with Forge fans (Photo: David Chant)
Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC leaps into the stands at TD Place to celebrate with Forge fans (Photo: David Chant)

 

Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC prepares for postgame celebrations (Photo: David Chant)
Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC prepares for postgame celebrations (Photo: David Chant)

 

Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC (Photo: Audrey Magny)
Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC (Photo: Audrey Magny)