CNPL Draft Trade: Detroit-Windsor Drive Moves Up to No. 3 Pick
What’s the Score?
The Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) C4 offseason opened with a notable first trade, as the Detroit-Windsor Drive and the Northern Lights exchanged key draft picks ahead of the January 27 draft. The headline move saw the Drive jump two spots to secure the #3 pick in Round 3, signalling a deliberate push to land a specific target early.
Hit it deeper!
The full trade terms reveal a clear contrast in team strategy.
Detroit-Windsor Drive received:
• Round 3, pick 6 (overall #3)
• Round 5, pick 6 (overall #17)
• Round 6, pick 6 (overall #25)
Northern Lights received:
• Round 4, pick 2 (overall #5)
• Round 5, pick 2 (overall #13)
• Round 6, pick 2 (overall #21)
For the Drive, the move reflects a focus on quality over volume. With Stevie Petropouleas (#6 in 2025) already secured in free agency, the roster still requires one female player and two open players. The climb to the #3 slot suggests the team has identified a high-impact fit and is willing to slide back in later rounds to secure that player.
The Northern Lights approached the exchange differently. By accumulating extra picks, they gain the flexibility needed to rebuild around Joel Pelletier and Danielle Boss. Their roster gaps are wider—two female and two open players—and the added mid-round selections support a balanced approach. Sliding to the #5 pick indicates confidence in the available talent pool and a desire to maximise total value.
With trading now active, this move sets an assertive tone for the C4 offseason. More roster shifts are expected as teams prepare for the high-stakes January draft.
The World Pickleball Verdict
This early CNPL trade signals a more strategic and analytical era for Canadian pickleball. The Drive’s targeted climb shows a franchise thinking in terms of precision and roster fit, while the Lights’ pick accumulation mirrors the long-game strategies seen in established pro leagues. As the draft approaches, teams will be judged on their ability to balance value, depth, and positional need—an encouraging sign of the sport’s growing professional sophistication in Canada.