The Canadian Premier League (CPL) today announced the five nominees for the 2026 U-21 Canadian Player of the Year award, presented by Degree, which recognizes the league's top Canadian player aged 21 or under.
The nominees — FC Supra du Québec's Alessandro Biello, 20; Atlético Ottawa's Sergei Kozlovskiy, 18; Forge FC's Hoce Massunda, 21; Cavalry FC's Adam Pearlman, 21; and Vancouver FC's Kian Proctor, 21 — make up this year's five-man ballot. With five different CPL clubs represented, this year's nominees once again highlight the depth of young Canadian talent developing across the league.
The winner will be determined by votes cast by technical leadership from all eight CPL clubs, alongside select media members from local and national outlets who regularly covered the 2026 CPL Regular Season. The award will be presented at the 2026 CPL Awards ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 19, as part of the 2026 CPL Final festivities.
Voting for the CPL's U-21 Canadian of the Year award is based on performances during the 2026 Regular Season, not including the TELUS Canadian Championship, Concacaf Champions Cup or 2026 CPL Playoffs.
Biello emerged as a standout presence for Supra during the club's inaugural CPL season, leading all U-21 players in interceptions (50) and tackles won (46), with both totals ranking among the top three league-wide. His contributions extended into possession, recording an 86.3 per cent passing accuracy into the final third, the highest among U-21 players. Biello also ranked second among U-21 players in duels won (117) and progressive carries (146), while placing third in passes into the final third (147) and chances created (18).
Kozlovskiy, the youngest nominee in CPL Awards history, made his mark for Atlético after turning 18 in June. The young defender ranked second among all U-21 players in clearances (57) and fourth in both passes into the final third (118) and progressive carries (128). He also led U-21 players in progressive carries (10.1) and clearances (4.5) per 90 minutes, while ranking second in passes into the final third per 90 (9.3) and tackle success rate (84.6 per cent).
Massunda continued to establish himself as one of the CPL's most promising young attacking talents, earning a second consecutive nomination for the U-21 award. The Forge attacker recorded six goal contributions — including four goals and two assists — tied for the most among U-21 players during the 2026 Regular Season. Massunda led all U-21 players with 102 touches in the opposition penalty area, averaging a league-best 5.14 per 90 minutes among U-21 players. He also led the category in goals per 90 (0.20) and combined goals and assists per 90 (0.30), while ranking second in chances created (28) and expected goals (3.76).
Pearlman played a significant role in Cavalry’s CPL Shield-winning campaign, leading all U-21 players in minutes played (2,233) and standing as the only player in the age category to start 27 Regular Season matches. The defender distinguished himself with his creativity and ability to advance play, leading all U-21 players in chances created (36), expected assists (4.22) and progressive carries (164). His three assists were tied for the most among U-21 players, while he also led his age group in duels won (126). Pearlman ranked second among U-21 players in tackles won (37) and passes into the final third (160), highlighting his contributions on both sides of the ball.
Proctor was a dependable presence in Vancouver’s backline throughout the 2026 Regular Season, showcasing his defensive abilities across 1,903 minutes, the second-highest total among U-21 players. His 83 clearances and 33 aerial duels won led all players in the age category, while his 32 interceptions and 29 successful tackles ranked third and fourth, respectively. Proctor's effectiveness in one-on-one situations was equally notable, posting a 62 per cent duel success rate, the third-highest among U-21 players, while averaging a category-leading 1.56 aerial duels won per 90 minutes.
The winner of the U-21 Canadian of the Year award will receive a unique piece of Inuit soapstone art, conceived by artist Taqialuk Nuna and carved by Ruben Komangapik. The Polar Bear statue is awarded annually to the CPL’s U-21 Canadian of the Year because, much like a developing young player, the animal grows from a playful cub into one of the most respected and formidable creatures roaming Canada’s North.
Previous Winners:
2019: Tristan Borges, Forge FC
2020: Mo Farsi, Cavalry FC
2021: Alessandro Hojabrpour, Pacific FC
2022: Sean Rea, Valour FC
2023: Matteo de Brienne, Valour FC
2024: Kwasi Poku, Forge FC
2025: Tiago Coimbra, Halifax Wanderers FC
