Winnipeg's Kloppenborg brings intriguing size, talent to Griffins' goalkeeper position

EDMONTON – Bringing intriguing size to the goalkeeper position, Winnipeg's Ty Kloppenborg will have every opportunity to earn starts for the Griffins men's soccer team when he comes to MacEwan in 2026.

Announced Wednesday by head coach Adam Loga as the latest addition to his growing recruiting class, the keeper gives the Griffins something they haven't had in goal in years: size.

"I think he's 6-4 now," said Loga. "We haven't really had a taller goalkeeper probably since (Dylon) Powley, who was 6-2. Obviously set pieces have been an issue, not only this year, but years prior. The more you watch film over, there are moments if we had someone a little taller in that position, it could have negated some of those chances and goals that we conceded."

It was graduated former goalkeeper Oleksandr Popravka, who helped narrow down the search for his replacement.

"Oleks has watched a lot of film on a lot of keepers that has come into my inbox, and he liked him very much as well," said Loga, also including goalkeeper coach Armando Sanchez as a believer. "Oleks was the first to admit if he was 6-4, it would help on set pieces. So, we wanted to address that issue."

Kloppenborg has been a top keeper with his club team South End United and has back-stopped provincial champions in both U17 and U15. He was named E&E keeper of the year in both 2024 and 2025 and has been a starter in the Manitoba Major Soccer League.

"I think his development has been really quick," said Loga. "Even talking with (Griffins midfielder) Azar (El Khallaa), who has known him from high school, he wasn't always a goalkeeper. He was a field player. I believe he was a centre back up until about three-ish years ago. 

"So, to see his overall development at the position in such a short period of time shows the potential he has."

Loga is quick to point out Kloppenborg will have an opportunity to start, but he's also not under any pressure to do so right away.

"Coming in as a first year, obviously, we have experienced keepers in already, so there's no pressure on him to come in and take the starting role," said Loga. "He's got time to develop. But at the same time, if he develops quickly, obviously with our starter gone and graduated, it is a vacant net. So, he comes in with a good situation, I think, for a young keeper."