On Thursday, Dec. 5, the 2025 edition of the CPL-U SPORTS Draft takes place, live on the OneSoccer YouTube channel, as well as CBC’s digital platforms.

This year’s list of players who declared for the draft features a number of those who have been selected in past CPL-U SPORTS Drafts, and a few who have significant experience in the league in past seasons.

Players who are drafted but go unsigned, or whose CPL club declines to retain their rights when they return to U SPORTS can be selected again under the league’s unique draft process.

Here are five former CPL players, or CPL-U SPORTS Draft picks, to look out for in this year’s edition.

Owen Antoniuk

University: Calgary
Position: Attacker
Year: 2nd

Antoniuk will be a name familiar to CPL fans for his loan stint with Atlético Ottawa back in 2022, helping them to a regular season title. The former Vancouver Whitecaps academy player starred for the University of Calgary this season as one of the most prolific players in U SPORTS, scoring eight goals and adding five assists.

He has also been scoring at an incredible rate at the League1 level over the past few seasons. In 2023, he bagged 13 for Windsor City in League1 Ontario. This past summer, he won the Golden Boot in League1 Alberta, scoring ten goals for Calgary Foothills. With a body of work like that, he could be a solid addition to any CPL team looking for an influx of offence.

Jason Hartill

University: Cape Breton
Position: Central midfielder
Year: 2nd

Last year’s 12th overall selection in the CPL-U SPORTS Draft made two appearances with York United before returning to Cape Breton University in August. In his second year with the Capers, the midfielder appeared in all 12 games, scoring once.

The former Toronto FC academy player also has connections to another Ontario CPL club, as his father, Bruce, is the Lead Equipment Manager for Atlético Ottawa.

Ryan Robinson

University: York University
Position: Central midfielder
Year: 1st

The 23-year-old from Hamilton was a member of the Halifax Wanderers during the 2022 season, making 18 appearances. In his first year with the York Lions, he scored three goals and added an assist in the OUA. He also had a pair of assists during the U SPORTS National Championship bronze medal match, in which York defeated McGill 3-1 and was a second-team All-Star in the OUA’s East Division.

Robinson has played for Vaughan Azzuri the past two seasons in League1 Ontario, scoring five goals in all competitions this year for the 2024 runners-up. It was while playing for Vaughan back in 2021 that he initially caught the eye of the Halifax Wanderers.

Owen Sheppard

University: Cape Breton
Position: Attacker
Year: 4th

The first overall pick in last year’s CPL – U SPORTS Draft by Valour FC, Sheppard is once again available for selection for 2025. Sheppard had five goals and five assists for the Cape Breton Capers this season, finishing the year with the third most assists in the AUS.

Sheppard also played with the Halifax Wanderers U-23 team over the summer during their International Summer Series, including a match in his home province of Newfoundland against Ipswich Town’s U-21 team, which they won 2-1.

Obeng Tabi

University: Concordia
Position: Fullback
Year: 1st

Another former Halifax Wanderer, the 24-year-old fullback played 19 matches for the club back in 2022, and has one of the most impressive resumés of any player on the draft list. Now following his first year with Concordia University, he is looking for another CPL opportunity through the 2025 draft.

He also spent the past two years playing for CS Saint-Laurent in League1 Québec, helping them win the league in 2023. He was part of the side that defeated the Wanderers on penalties this season in the first round of the Canadian Championship, before facing Toronto FC in the quarter-finals. Tabi also represented Canada at the 2024 Concacaf Futsal Championship.