Caelan Sampson Joins Vancouver Rush: Chilliwack’s Caelan Sampson has been selected by the Vancouver Rush in the 2025 Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) draft. The former University of the Fraser Valley athlete was picked in the fifth round of the draft, which was streamed live on YouTube on April 2.
A Rising Talent Joins the Rush
Sampson, a well-known player in the Abbotsford pickleball scene, has built an impressive resume. A graduate of Chilliwack Secondary School in 2016, he represented Canada at the 2024 Pickleball World Cup in Peru and won a national doubles title in Regina in 2023.
Draft analysts praised the pick, highlighting Sampson’s previous experience with the Rush’s third-round selection, Armaan Jiwa Mawji. “Caelan’s an amazingly good player,” said draft co-host Andrew Gorman. “He’s very athletic, very, very quick and dynamic.”
Excitement for the Upcoming Season
The CNPL, which enters its third season in 2025, runs from May to August and features top talent from across the country. Competing against the Rush are teams including Toronto United Pickleball Club, the Prairie Pronghorns, the Southwestern Ontario Brewers, the London Smash, the Montreal Lions, the Northern Lights, and the Detroit-Windsor Drive.
Sampson expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Rush. “Super excited for the upcoming CNPL season,” he posted on Facebook. “Can’t wait to represent Vancouver.”
News in Brief: Caelan Sampson Joins Vancouver Rush
Chilliwack’s Caelan Sampson was drafted by the Vancouver Rush in the 2025 CNPL draft on April 2. The national doubles champion and former baseball player was selected in the fifth round. The CNPL season begins in May, with eight teams competing for the league title.
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