TORONTO — Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men's soccer players Noah Bickford and Luc Ihama were selected in the 2026 CPL-U SPORTS Draft on Friday, Nov. 28, live on OneSoccer and the CPL Soccer YouTube channel. Bickford, a centre-back from Milton, Ont., was chosen eighth overall in the first round by Forge FC, while Ihama, a right back from Barrie, Ont., was selected 14th overall (round two, pick five) by Cavalry FC.

Bickford, who transferred to TMU after two seasons at Oakland University in the United States, was a key figure in the Bold's backline this past season. He made nine starts, helped the team record four clean sheets, and contributed offensively with two goals, posing a strong aerial threat on set pieces.

Ihama also made nine starts for the Bold this season, creating dangerous runs on the right side of the pitch. This was his second year of eligibility with TMU, after beginning his post-graduate career with Centennial College FC, where he earned the club's 2024–25 Men's Soccer MVP award.

Both Bickford and Ihama have represented Simcoe County Rovers FC in League1 Ontario.

Bickford and Ihama become the fourth and fifth men's soccer players drafted from TMU, joining Jevontae Layne, Ameer Kinani, and Jacob Carlos. Layne was selected first overall by Valour FC in 2025, Kinani went second overall to Vancouver FC in 2023, and Carlos was picked 12th overall in 2022 by Valour FC. This marks the first time in program history that two TMU men's soccer players were selected in the same draft. Along with the University of British Columbia, TMU is the only school with two players in this year's draft.

Forge FC play their home matches at Hamilton Stadium in Hamilton, Ont., while Cavalry FC are based in Calgary, Alta., with home matches at ATCO Field on the grounds of Spruce Meadows.

The Canadian Premier League (CPL) is a professional soccer league and the highest level of the Canadian soccer league system. The league comprises eight teams from five of Canada's ten provinces. Each team plays 28 regular-season games, followed by playoffs culminating in the CPL Finals.