The CPL-U SPORTS Draft will be held behind closed doors on Nov. 12 following the conclusion of the U SPORTS National Championship. The results of the draft will be formally announced on the morning of Nov. 13.
Here are 10 U SPORTS prospects who are receiving the most chatter ahead of Monday’s draft:
JACE KOTSOPOULOS, GUELPH
HOMETOWN: Burlington, Ont.
POSITION: Forward
YEAR: 4
TIDBIT: Became the second Guelph player in history to claim the Joe Johnson Memorial Trophy as the country’s best university player.
THOMAS GARDNER, UBC
HOMETOWN: North Vancouver, B.C.
POSITION: Forward
YEAR: 1
TIDBIT: Claimed Canada West Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honours.
GABRIEL BITAR, CARLETON
HOMETOWN: Ottawa, Ont.
POSITION: Forward
YEAR: 2
TIDBIT: Became the first Raven to be named U SPORTS Rookie of the Year (2017).
STEFAN KARAJOVANOVIC, CARLETON
HOMETOWN: Gatineau, Que.
POSITION: Midfielder
YEAR: 2
TIDBIT: Larson’s sleeper pick. Potentially the most underrated player in this inaugural CPL-U SPORTS Draft.
DANIEL GOGARTY, YORK
HOMETOWN: Scarborough, Ont.
POSITION: Defender
YEAR: 5
TIDBIT: Left-sided centre back who could transition to fullback at the CPL level.
PETER SCHAALE, CAPE BRETON
HOMETOWN: Bernkastel-Kues, Germany
POSITION: Defender
YEAR: 3
TIDBIT: The 6-foot-3 German centreback was arguably the most dominant defender during this weekend’s U SPORTS Championship.
CORY BENT, CAPE BRETON
HOMETOWN: Preston, England
POSITION: Forward
YEAR: 3
TIDBIT: Full of pace, Bent was one of the most electrifying players at this weekend’s U SPORTS Championship.
ANDRE BONA, UQAM
HOMETOWN: Marseille, France
POSITION: Defender
YEAR: 5
TIDBIT: Garnered interest from multiple CPL scouts during a pair of standout performances against Cape Breton and UBC.
OMAR KREIM, MONTREAL
HOMETOWN: Casablanca, Morocco
POSITION: Midfielder
YEAR: 3
TIDBIT: Showed outstanding work rate in midfield, with an ability to get on the ball and make good decisions in the final third.
NOAH CUNNINGHAM, ALBERTA
HOMETOWN: St. Albert, Alta.
POSITION: Defender
YEAR: 3
TIDBIT: A product of the FC Edmonton development system.
