VICTORIA – University of Victoria men's soccer player Fin Tugwell has been drafted by Canadian Premier League-side Pacific FC, Dec. 5, in the 2025 CPL-U SPORTS Draft.

Tugwell is one of 16 players out of 179 draft-eligible U SPORTS soccer players selected to a CPL club, being taken with the 12th pick in the second round.

"We have a great relationship with UVic and we're always tracking their players. You've seen Fin's progression over the past three years, he's now a captain [at UVic] and helped them keep nine or ten clean sheets this season. He's got good composure and big potential. We're really excited about Fin and hopefully he can push on and find a spot on the roster," said Pacific FC head coach James Merriman during the televised draft. 

This season, Tugwell earned the Canada West Defensive Player of the Year title, the conference's top defensive honour, while securing his first U SPORTS All-Canadian selection. A two-time Canada West All-Star, he started all 15 games for the Vikes, scoring one goal and adding one assist. Tugwell anchored the back line with authority, logging over 1,380 minutes and playing a key role in limiting opponents to just five goals in the games he appeared.

The ultimate team player, Tugwell, is an intelligent defender who is very composed in possession, making positive contributions to the Vikes' offence with timely points.

"I'm obviously super excited for Fin, and we're all really proud of him. He is an excellent defender and a real leader—his play has taken off to another level, and it shows," said Larry Stefanek, UVic men's soccer coach . "He's the beginning of our offensive attack, and he's so good in possession, which separates him as a defender. He's a threat on set pieces, and he's truly the model of consistency, bringing our training environment to another level."  

The CPL-U SPORTS Draft is open to any U SPORTS underclassmen with one to four years of U SPORTS eligibility remaining, provided they are in good standing with their school's athletic program and educational institution and are planning to return to school the following year.

Once selected, players may be invited to pre-season training with their prospective club, where they can compete for a roster spot for the 2025 CPL season.

Based in nearby Langford, B.C., Pacific FC is actively strengthening its ties with UVic soccer to create a clear pathway for local players to grow and be identified by the club. With 13 Vancouver Island Wave alumni currently on the UVic men's soccer team, this partnership is expanding opportunities for young talent on the island to reach higher levels of the game.