Five Edmonton-grown ballplayers will be taking the field for the Edmonton Riverhawks in 2021. In Part One of this series, we met Lacombe product RHP Myles Pallister. Today, we will be meeting three more of the Riverhawks’ hometown heroes.
Taylor Jans, Pitcher
School: University of Louisiana Monroe (Sun Belt) Hometown: St. Albert, AB Class: Junior
Height: 6’4″ Weight: 225 lbs. Bats: Right Throws: Right Major: Kinesiology
Career Stats @ Cloud County Community: 36.0 IP, 4.75 ERA, 33 strikeouts
The St. Albert Cardinals star is playing his first season at ULM after spending two years at Cloud County Community College (home to local Major League hopeful Erik Sabrowski for two years). During his time with the Cardinals, Jans was a member of the 2018 Provincial Champion squad. He also pitched at the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg.
Shaun Atamanchuk, Pitcher
School: Colby Community (KJCCC) Hometown: Beaumont, AB Class: Freshman
Height: 6’4″ Weight: 250 lbs. Bats: Right Throws: Right
Career Stats @ Colby Community: 26.0 IP, 12.46 ERA, 20 strikeouts
As a redshirt in 2019, Atamanchuk took a while to get acclimated to the college game, posting less-than-ideal numbers. One encouraging sign is that he won both of his starts, and posted seven strikeouts over five innings in his second start vs. McCook.
Michael Brisson, Infielder
School: Niagara (MAAC) Hometown: St. Albert, AB Class: Sophomore
Height: 6’2″ Weight: 180 lbs. Bats: Right Throws: Right Major: Criminal Justice
Career Stats @ Niagara: 13 GP, .313 OBP, .469 SLG%, 4 RBI, 1 2B, 2 3B, 3 SB
Mike’s got wheels. He was 3-for-3 in stolen bases and collected two triples in 2019, which no doubt contributed to his .469 slugging percentage. His career so far includes a couple of provincial championships with the St. Albert Cardinals, a .500 average at the Canada Cup, and an appearance at Tournament 12. This guy can play any spot on the infield, so expect so see a lot of him down at RE/MAX.
Edmonton Sports Fan 