2021 CPL-U SPORTS Draft: Meet Cavalry FC’s selections

January 29, 2021

CanPL.ca

Cavalry FC opted for young, local talent at the 2021 CPL-U SPORTS Draft Friday afternoon.

On a live broadcast played between CanPL.ca and OneSoccer, coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. picked two Calgary natives with experience in the Calgary Foothills program: Victor Loturi (1st round, 6th overall) and Ethan Keen (2nd round, 11th overall), both from Mount Royal University.

Loturi has already played for Cavalry, suiting up for the inaugural season before switching to university. Keen, meanwhile, comes with experience with the Foothills, Wheeldon Jr.’s former program.

All draft picks are invited to CPL training camp and, if retained by the club, can sign U SPORTS Development Contracts or fully-fledged professional deals, with the former allowing players to keep their university eligibility.

Here are Cavalry FC’s two picks at the 2021 CPL-U SPORTS Draft.

RELATED READING: 2021 CPL-U SPORTS Draft results

Victor Loturi (1st round, 6th overall) –Position: Midfielder
University: Mount Royal (1st year)
Age: 19
Notable former clubs: Calgary Foothills (USL2), Cavalry

Canadian Premier League - Cavalry FC v Halifax Wanderers FC - Calgary, Alberta, Canada Oct. 5, 2019 Mohamed Kourouma of HFX Wanderers FC and Elliot Simmons of HFX Wanderers FC vie for the ball with Victor Loturi of Cavalry FC. Mike Sturk/CPL — Canadian Premier League – Cavalry FC v Halifax Wanderers FC – Calgary, Alberta, Canada Oct. 5, 2019 Mohamed Kourouma of HFX Wanderers FC and Elliot Simmons of HFX Wanderers FC vie for the ball with Victor Loturi of Cavalry FC. Mike Sturk/CPL

That’s right – former Cavalry midfielder Victor Loturi is set to return to the Cavs! The 19-year-old made four appearances in Cavalry’s inaugural season – including two league matches against Pacific FC and HFX Wanderers FC – before joining the Mount Royal Cougars.

Native to Calgary, Loturi has represented Alberta Soccer at numerous age groups through his youth development, including the 2017 Canada Summer Games, and was coached by former Cavalry defender Jay Wheeldon in the Calgary Foothills FC Generation Program.

Ethan Keen (2nd round, 11th overall) – Position: Left Fullback
University: Mount Royal (1st year)
Age: 18
Notable former clubs: Calgary Foothills (USL2)

First-year Mount Royal fullback Ethan Keen was the youngest player picked at the 2021 CPL-U SPORTS Draft. Another Calgary local and Foothills product, Keen made seven appearances for the Foothills USL League Two side in 2019, racking up 133 minutes in the process. A quick fullback, Keen is described as technical, efficient in 1v1 situations, and tends to get forward and contribute in attacks with forward passes and crosses.