The CNPL C4 Draft has officially set the table for the 2026 season.
With rosters finalized at 8 teams × 6 players (48 athletes), this draft emphasized depth, chemistry, and format intelligence over star chasing—a hallmark of CNPL competition.
The result? Eight balanced rosters with legitimate championship aspirations and no clear favorite heading into the season.
Winners of the Draft
London Smash
London exits C4 with arguably the highest ceiling roster. Anchored by proven CNPL performers Ryan Torresin and Anne-Sophie Courteau, Smash added offensive punch and athletic upside across the lineup.
Their ability to apply pressure in both gendered and mixed matches makes them a legitimate title contender.
Vancouver Owls
Vancouver prioritized balance and matchup flexibility, assembling a roster that can adapt pairings without sacrificing stability.
This is the type of team that outperforms expectations deep into the season.
Grand River Rapids
The Rapids didn't chase flash—they built six playable athletes. In a team format where every point matters, depth wins weekends, and Grand River may have assembled one of the most resilient lineups in the league.
X-Factors to Watch
- Ryan Torresin (London Smash): A known CNPL difference-maker whose doubles instincts consistently tilt close matches
- Armaan Jiwa Mawji (Vancouver Owls): Athletic, adaptable, and capable of swinging momentum in mixed play
- Kyle Hermetz (York Yeti): Brings leadership and net presence that could stabilize high-pressure lineups
- Matthew Kawamoto (Toronto United): Tactical IQ and consistency make him a quiet matchup weapon
- Ernesto Fajardo (Montreal Lions): Momentum player—when he's rolling, Montreal rolls with him
Team-by-Team Breakdown
Grand River Rapids
- Roster: Antoaneta Toskova, Lucas Wong, Bruno Faletto, Marie-Christine Salvas, Darrin Harnandan-Wang, Carolina Hack
- Identity: Built for consistency and endurance. This roster thrives in extended rallies and late-match scenarios.
Detroit-Windsor Drive
- Roster: Evan Hollinsky, Alexis Debol, Stevie Petropouleas, Una Pandurevic, Brad Chapman, Nicolas Tran
- Identity: Veteran-heavy and fundamentally sound, Detroit-Windsor is positioned to steal points through discipline and execution.
Vancouver Owls
- Roster: Armaan Jiwa Mawji, Anna Dyachenko, Kim Layton, Kelsey Grambeau, Mackonner Dy, Eugene Mak
- Identity: Balanced, athletic, and matchup-flexible—a team with serious upside.
London Smash
- Roster: Ryan Torresin, Anne-Sophie Courteau, Mark Cleminson, Aibika Kalsarieva, Natalie Araya, Xavier Richard
- Identity: Explosive and aggressive. Smash can overwhelm opponents if they control errors.
York Yeti
- Roster: Kyle Hermetz, Ava Kalist, Audrey Yeung, Tara Di Giuseppe, Mikaël Gaumond, Jacob Pearce
- Identity: Adaptable roster with strong net play and lineup versatility—dangerous in playoffs.
Northern Lights
- Roster: Joel Pelletier, Danielle Boss, Jessica Kawamoto, Louise Kwong, Ben Davis, Corey Osborne
- Identity: A chemistry-first team designed to win tight, grind-it-out matches. The addition of Jessica Kawamoto in a draft-day trade gives the Lights an elite performer to build around.
Toronto United
- Roster: Matthew Kawamoto, Maximilian Wild, Jada Bui, Maria Klokotzky, Michael Rizzo, Tiffany Au
- Identity: Precision, speed, and structure define Toronto's approach.
Montreal Lions
- Roster: Ernesto Fajardo, Louis-Charles Amyot, Christina Chin, Ariana Rodriguez, Michael McCaffrey, Maxine Joly-Chevrier
- Identity: High-tempo and momentum-driven, capable of overwhelming teams in short bursts.
The Season Ahead
The C4 Draft didn't produce a runaway favorite and that's exactly the point.
CNPL's format rewards depth, adaptability, and chemistry, and this draft reinforced those values across all eight teams.
The margins will be thin. The pressure will be real. And this season will be the most competitive yet.