To rewatch Thursday's 2022 CPL-U SPORTS Draft, click the player above.

The next class of U SPORTS athletes making the leap to the professional ranks was unveiled Thursday in the 2022 CPL-U SPORTS Draft, as seen on CanPL.ca, OneSoccer, and CBC Gem. From eight Canadian Premier League teams came 16 picks in the two-round draft – kicked off by Atletico Ottawa and the selection of second-year Cape Breton University centreback Jose Cunha, as announced by Atletico Madrid superstar Joao Felix, first overall. Cunha, a left-footed defender raised at prestigious Portuguese club Sporting CP, was the first of three Cape Breton Capers taken in the opening round; FC Edmonton snatched up 15-goal striker Kairo Coore, who moved to Cape Breton from NCAA Div. II school Saginaw Valley State to enter the CPL-U SPORTS Draft, and midfielder Raine Lyn was selected by Valour FC in fourth. All told, the fourth annual CPL-U SPORTS Draft was a surprising bit of business with clubs selecting players from across the country. Here are all 16 picks.


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