Teen striker Kaylee Hunter the latest to join Toronto entry in Northern Super League

The hits keep coming for teenage striker Kaylee Hunter.

Last year the Calgary native — then 16 — was the youngest player invited to a Canadian under-20 camp in Germany. At club level, she was honoured as the Most Promising Female Player as part of the Vancouver Whitecaps annual player awards.

Playing for the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite team, Hunter saw action in CONCACAF W Champions Cup games in Mexico and Panama. The tournament also saw her face Christine Sinclair and the Portland Thorns at B.C. Place Stadium.

"That was a dream come true for me," Hunter said in an interview. "I've always looked up to her since I was a little girl. So many people in Canada looked up to her. So getting to play alongside my idol, the GOAT of the game, [that's] something most people do not get to do. So I'm really fortunate to have that experience."

Sinclair scored in the 6-0 Portland win.

Hunter, who turned 17 on Jan. 22, will be rubbing shoulders with more Canadian talent come April, having signed with AFC Toronto of the new Northern Super League.

"We believe Kaylee is undoubtedly one of the best emerging players in the country and we are ecstatic that she has decided to take the first steps of her professional career with AFC Toronto," Toronto sporting director Billy Wilson said in a statement.

Hunter said the decision to go pro took some time.

"Obviously school is a really big opportunity and life experience that everyone should get to go through. But in my eyes, the way I viewed this new league, I think it's a very good opportunity for younger players to realize that you can play professionally in your country — at a young age.

"I took this opportunity when I got the chance and now I'm just excited to get started and kind of make a name