CALGARY – Nik Ledgerwood will be the first to tell you that things have come full circle for him over a lengthy career that has seen stops across Europe and 50 appearances for the Canadian national team.

Now 34, the versatile midfielder from Lethbridge is back home in southern Alberta, ready to suit up in the historic opening Canadian Premier League season as a member of Cavalry FC.

The club’s newly-named captain took some time to chat with CanPL.ca ahead of the Cavs’ inaugural game against York9 FC (available on OneSoccer, 1:30 p.m. MT/3:30 p.m. ET).

What have these last few days leading up to the first match been like for you?

Ledgerwood: I’m so excited. It seems like everything has come together at the right time here in Calgary like the stadium, advertisement, the marketing, OneSoccer for the broadcasting. Everything is coming together, fans included. They are excited to finally see that first kick, and as players, we can’t wait.

What’s it like knowing you’re on one of the league’s first ever rosters?

Ledgerwood: At the end of the day, we’re going to be a part of history. That was one of the biggest things when I thought about coming back to Canada to play is to be a part of this league and to help change the culture of soccer in Canada. That’s exactly what this league is going to do.

How excited are you to be home in southern Alberta after playing so many years overseas?

Ledgerwood: It has that special something about being home and being able to play in front of friends and family — all those people I grew up with. And especially in an area like Calgary where I spent a couple of years living before I left for Germany. There’s that emotion and responsibility to be an ambassador to the league and club to help build it.

And you’ll be wearing the captain’s armband …

Ledgerwood: I’ve been a captain in a few other clubs in the past. It’s something where the coach gives it to a player who can lead, mentor the team. I think we have a ton of great leaders on the team, and they will help pull their weight. I’m fortunate to wear the band and be that visual captain on the field. I will lead by example by being the hardest working one out there and make sure that everybody has that standard throughout the season.

A unique thing about the league is that everyone enters the season with a clean slate. Despite predictions, you don’t really know who is going to finish first, do you?

Ledgerwood: Yeah, and people try to read into how good a team’s preseason was. But until that first ball is kicked, no one knows what’s going to happen. I think there will be some growing pains along the way, while it’s going to be very exciting. People are going to underestimate how big this league is going to grow.

What do you think about the makeup of the Cavs roster?

Ledgerwood: (Head coach) Tommy (Wheeldon Jr.) has done a phenomenal job to find the best talent in Calgary, in southern Alberta and then looking internationally to fill those gaps. Calgary and Alberta is represented very well on this team. I think he’s picked players to fill the spots where you might need a little bit more creativity and players who are harder to get ahold of — the team’s great. If you talk to any of the guys about the training or the preseason, we’re all on board. We’re an intelligent and hungry team that’s waiting to impress a lot of people.

What can you tell us about your relationship with head coach Wheeldon Jr – it dates back to the early 2000s, doesn’t it?

Ledgerwood: It’s funny. We were teammates, and I was just 16 at the time playing for the Calgary Storm. My path took me overseas. Tommy’s path took him here, and he built something fabulous in Calgary with Foothills. Now he has the opportunity to be the head coach and GM of Cavalry. For me, it’s full circle with coming back to Calgary and still on the playing side of it. My relationship with Tommy is very professional, and then off the field, we have that friend relationship. I respect him and what he does, and he respects what I’ve done in my career. I think we’re both going to be a big part of what happens here over the next years.

Your first match is against York9 at Spruce Meadows. What do you expect to see from the visitors come Saturday?

Ledgerwood: We played them twice in the Dominican, but I don’t think anyone is reading into those preseason games. They’re going to be a very tough team, and I think they’re going to be one of the better teams in the league. Now, I also think we’re going to be the best team in the league. In saying that, I think we’ll get off to a great start. We want to impress our fans and give them a product where they want to tell friends and bring friends to the stadium and share that feeling.