At the 2022 Canadian Premier League (CPL) – U Sports Draft on Thursday evening, HFX Wanderers FC, Atlantic Canada’s lone club, selected Ontario Tech University Midfielder Christopher Campoli (Woodbridge, ON) third overall and University of Guelph Left Back Colin Gander (Kitchener, ON) with the 11th overall pick.
Campoli finished the 2021 U Sports men’s soccer season tied for first in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) in goals scored, and second nationally. The 6’0 midfielder scored 12 goals on 30 shots in 10 games, adding two assists.
(Photo via USports.ca)
He especially stood out in the Ridgebacks’ home-and-home meetings with the Royal Military College of Canada, scoring four times in a 6-0 home win and adding another hat trick in a 7-0 win on the road.
“Going into the draft, we knew we wanted to bring in another attacking option as well as one more on the left side of the line up. Chris can play a number of attacking positions across the top of the pitch. He’s also still under 21 which is an important factor for us to complete at least 2500 CPL minutes with U21s this season. He has done well not only in his U SPORT career but also in League 1 Ontario with Woodbridge Strikers”
HFX Wanderers FC Head Coach Stephen Hart
In 2019, Campoli played in a total of 16 games, registering six goals and six assists before the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One year ago, Campoli was selected fourth overall in the 2021 CPL-U Sports Draft by York United FC, but returned to Ontario Tech for another season without signing.
But Campoli sounds ready to make the trip to the Maritimes, saying:
“I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m ready to work hard and be a part of the winning culture your team is building there.”
Christopher Campoli
The Guelph Gryphon’s men’s soccer program was also represented in the draft, with Colin Gander hearing his name called by the Wanderers. In the 2021 OUA season, the defender started in all 15 games he played, scoring one goal and three assists.
(Photo via Guelph United FC)
“Out of all the teams, I know Halifax has the best atmosphere and it seems the city is really engaged with the club – it’s been my number one if I could choose so this is a dream come true. I’m just so excited to come out and show you what I got and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
Colin Gander
His lone goal of the season came in a 1-0 win over Brock University, while he registered one assist in Waterloo and a pair against Laurier.
Gander was also was once a part of the Toronto FC Academy.
Campoli and Gander are looking to join a prestigious list of Wanderers draft picks who have cracked the roster. See below for the clubs draft history with their school in ( ) and matches played for Halifax in [ ].
2018: Round 1-Pick 5 – Peter Schaale (Cape Breton University) [43]
2018: Round 2-Pick 10 – André Bona (Université du Québec à Montréal) [25]
2018: Round 3-Pick 19 – Christian Oxner (Saint Mary’s University) [42]
2019: Round 1-Pick 1 – Cory Bent (Cape Breton University) [27]
2019: Round 2-Pick 14 – Jake Ruby (Trinity Western University) [24]
2021: Round 1-Pick 7 – Stefan Karajovanovic (Carleton University) [26]
2021: Round 1-Pick 10 – Kareem Sow (Université de Montréal) [11]
To date, every Wanderers draft pick have played in at least a double digit number of games with the club.
North Atlantic Football 