Pacific FC has known success with University of Toronto graduates, most notably defender Lukas MacNaughton currently of Nashville SC of MLS, who was capped and part of Canada’s final pre-camp before the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
PFC has dipped into the Varsity Blues well again by selecting forward Michael Maslanka sixth overall Thursday in the first round of the 2024 Canadian Premier League/U Sports soccer draft.
The native of Mississauga, Ont., scored seven goals in 11 regular-season games this season as a freshman with the U of T Varsity Blues and was named to the 2023 U Sports all-rookie team.
“Michael [Maslanka] scored as a rookie and that’s not easy to do in U Sports,” said PFC head coach James Merriman.
“He has scored at every level he has played in.”
The professional CPL, and pro Canadian Elite Basketball League, both have similar arrangements in which U Sports players can be drafted and play pro over the summer without losing their university eligibility.
Striker Owen Sheppard of Cape Breton University went first overall Thursday in the 2024 CPL/U Sports draft to Valour FC of Winnipeg.
“This is a big development opportunity where U Sports players get invaluable experience,” said Merriman.
Island-based PFC selected defender Ibrahem Saadi from the University of Western Ontario Mustangs 12th overall in the second round of the two-round draft. Saadi also made the 2023 U Sports all-rookie team.
“Ibrahem is a very strong presence on the pitch, and is very calm and comfortable on the ball, and fits in well with our possession-based system,” said Merriman.
PFC got good mileage last summer out of its 2023 first-round draft selection as defender Eric Lajeunesse, out of the UBC Thunderbirds, made six promising CPL appearances for the Tridents before returning to the T-Birds in the fall and being named to the U Sports national first all-star team. PFC has protected Lajeunesse and he will return to training camp in the spring.
“Eric played valuable minutes for us,” said Merriman.
“You just have to look at Eric, Lukas and Joel Waterman [Canada-capped and with CF Montreal in MLS after playing in the CPL with Cavalry FC following his career at Trinity Western University] to see the value of players coming out of U Sports,” said Merriman.
Caden Rogozinski, a standout defender last summer with the 2023 League1 B.C. regular-season champion Victoria Highlanders, was selected seventh overall in the first round Thursday by Cavalry FC out of Mount Royal University.
“Caden’s development is a testament to his dedication and hard work,” said Highlanders owner Brett Large, in a statement.
“We are thrilled to see him take this next step in his career with his hometown [Calgary] team, where we believe he will make a significant impact.”
The Highlanders, in a release, cited Rogozinski for his “dominant defensive skills, exceptional speed and notable physicality. His ability to read the game effectively and maintain composure under pressure, especially during build-up play, caught the eyes of many.”
