Introducing Daniel Imhof

Daniel Wendel Imhof was born in 1977 in Wil, Switzerland, his parents moving to Canada when he was aged four. Daniel went on to become a professional soccer player in Europe, while both his two younger brothers had semi-professional careers in Switzerland, with his youngest brother Dominic also being capped for Canada.

Raised in Smithers, Daniel played as a youth in the Bulkley Valley and then played from 1996 to 1998 for the University of Victoria Vikes during his studies to become a teacher. In 1998, Imhof returned to Switzerland to pursue a pro soccer career, which he followed for 15 years, playing 380 games in all competitions in Switzerland and Germany as a midfielder. From 1998 to 1999, Imhof played with his hometown FC Wil, then spent six years at F.C. St. Gallen, winning the Swiss Super League in 2000. Imhof then spent four and a half seasons with VfL Bochum in the German Bundesliga, before returning to St. Gallen for his final two and a half playing seasons, 2010-2012.

Daniel Imhof’s representative career began with the 1997 BC team at the Canada Games, winning a silver medal. In 1999 he played for Canada’s U-23 Pan-Am Games team, following which he made 36 appearances for Canada’s men’s national team from 2000 to 2010. Included in those 36 MNT caps are nine World Cup qualifier games in 2000 and 2004, the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup and Concacaf Gold Cups in 2002 (4 games) and 2003 (2 games).

After his pro retirement in 2012, Daniel returned to live in Smithers with his wife and their three children. He operates soccer camps and a soccer academy in his home town, coaches community teams of all ages and calibres, outdoor and indoor, and serves as the Technical Lead for Bulkley Valley Soccer. Together with his wife, he also owns Dan's Sports, a sporting goods store in Smithers.

For his contribution to his community in the Bulkley Valley, Daniel Imhof received the BC Coach of the Year - Youth Award in 2020.