The U SPORTS season is fast approaching, which means it's time for CPL clubs to say goodbye to some of their players as they return to compete in Canadian university sports.
All CPL clubs were able to carry up to three players signed to CPL-U SPORTS contracts on their developmental roster in 2025, a mechanism that gives student athletes the chance to gain professional experience while maintaining their eligibility to compete in university soccer.
All CPL-U SPORTS contracts expired as of Aug. 15, unless extended through the end of the season.
Five players from across the league will remain with their CPL team through the end of the 2025 season:
- Jason Hartill, Atlético Ottawa
- Max Piepgrass, Cavalry FC
- Amadou Koné, Forge FC
- Jevontae Layne, Valour FC
- Thomas Powell, Vancouver FC
Clubs whose U SPORTS players have returned to school are able to retain the player’s rights, which gives teams the first opportunity to re-sign those players in 2026 without having to select them in the 2026 CPL-U SPORTS Draft.
All players whose rights are retained are guaranteed an invite to that club’s pre-season training camp.
Nine players from across the league have returned to their universities with their rights retained by their CPL club:
- Owen Antoniuk, Cavalry FC
- Dino Bontis, Forge FC
- Maxime Filion, Forge FC
- Joven Mann, Halifax Wanderers FC
- Sinclair Astridge, Halifax Wanderers FC
- Eric Lajeunesse, Pacific FC
- Fin Tugwell, Pacific FC
- Henri Godbout, Vancouver FC
- Mehdi Essoussi, Vancouver FC
Three players have had their rights released by their CPL clubs as they return to school. That means they will be eligible to re-enter the 2026 CPL-U SPORTS Draft next year:
- Daniel Clarke, Cavalry FC
- Wesley Wandje, Valour FC
- Christian Zeppieri, York United FC