The C4 season is already making history before a single ball has been struck. For the first time since the start of the Canadian National Pickleball League, free agency has become a reality. Five teams wasted no time capitalizing on the opportunity to add impact talent to their rosters. As the January 27 draft approaches, the league’s competitive landscape has been dramatically reshaped by player movement, championship ambitions, and strategic roster construction.

The Free Agency Five: Who Moved and Why It Matters

Five players changed uniforms during the inaugural CNPL free agency period, each move carrying significant implications for both their new teams and the ones they left behind.

Anne-Sophie Courteau: The Smash Make a Statement

The first domino to fall was Anne-Sophie Courteau’s move from the defending champion Montreal Lions to the London Smash. Courteau, who finished 4th in the 2025 league leaders, was a cornerstone of Montreal’s back-to-back championship runs and leaves a significant void in the Lions’ lineup.

Courteau’s addition to London is transformational. She joins a Smash roster that already features Ryan Torresin (the #1 ranked player in 2025) and Jessica Kawamoto (#2 in 2025), creating the most star-studded top three in the league. The Smash now boast three of the top four performers from 2025, a concentration of elite talent that immediately elevates them to championship favorites.

For Montreal, losing the 4th-ranked player in the league is a blow to their threepeat aspirations, but it also created the opportunity for them to make their own splash in free agency.

Christina Chin: Montreal’s Championship Counter-Move

The Lions’ response was swift and strategic. Within days of losing Courteau, Montreal signed Christina Chin, the 2025 draft’s first overall selection from the Vancouver Owls. Chin brings a unique advantage to Montreal; she has history playing alongside captain Ernesto Fajardo, creating built-in chemistry that will be invaluable as the Lions pursue their threepeat.

Chin joins a Lions core that includes Louis-Charles Amyot (#3 in 2025) and Fajardo (#8 in 2025). The pairing of two #1 overall picks in Chin and Fajardo gives Montreal an elite foundation built on familiarity and proven talent. The Lions have retooled with a player who knows the system and can step in seamlessly.

For Vancouver, losing Chin means they’ll head into the draft with Anna Dyachenko (#19 in 2025) and Armaan Jiwa Mawji (#9 in 2025) and will need to add significant talent to fill out their roster.

Stevie Petropouleas: Drive Add Championship DNA

One of the most significant moves of the free agency period was Stevie Petropouleas joining the Detroit-Windsor Drive. Petropouleas, ranked 6th in the 2025 league leaders, was a key contributor to Montreal’s championship core and formed the league’s top-ranked women’s doubles partnership with Courteau in 2025.

Petropouleas’ departure from Montreal represents the second major loss for the defending champions, as they’ve now lost two of their starters from 2025. For the Drive, however, this is a franchise-altering acquisition. Joining Evan Hollinsky (#33 in 2025) and Alexis Debol (#29 in 2025), Petropouleas immediately becomes the Drive’s highest-ranked player and brings proven championship experience to a team looking to build on their playoff appearance.

The addition of a top-six performer transforms Detroit-Windsor from a developing team into legitimate playoff contenders. Petropouleas’ championship pedigree and elite production will be invaluable as the Drive continue their ascent in the league.

Audrey Yeung: Brewers Add Young Talent

The Southwestern Ontario Brewers signed Audrey Yeung, who ranked 32nd in the 2025 league leaders while playing for the Drive last season. Yeung brings athleticism and versatility and drive to a Brewers roster that now features three young, high-character players in Yeung, Kyle Hermetz (#35 in 2025), and Ava Kalist (#38 in 2025). The chemistry and work ethic this trio brings will be critical as the Brewers look to build a sustainable winner.

With three players locked in who are committed to the team-first mentality the Brewers are building, they can now focus on adding complementary talent through the draft to round out their roster.

Lucas Wong: Pronghorns Make a Power Move

The Prairie Pronghorns made one of the shrewdest moves of the free agency period by signing Lucas Wong, who ranked 13th in the 2025 league leaders while playing for the Northern Lights. Wong’s departure represents a significant loss for the Lights, who finished third in the 2025 playoffs but now see one of their top performers leave for a rival.

For the Pronghorns, Wong pairs with Antoaneta Toskova (#10 in 2025) to create a formidable one-two punch. With two top-15 performers heading into the draft, the Pronghorns have positioned themselves as a team on the rise. With two of the top four picks in the upcoming draft they have the opportunity to add elite talent and quickly transform into legitimate championship contenders. Wong’s move signals the Pronghorns’ commitment to competing for a championship in C4 after a challenging 2025 campaign.

The Lights now focus on building around Joel Pelletier (#17 in 2025), one of the league’s career leaders who has been a consistent force across multiple seasons, and Danielle Boss (#21 in 2025), whose impressive growth throughout her rookie 2025 campaign showed she’s a rising star in the league. This veteran-rookie combination gives the Lights a strong foundation to build upon through the draft.

What It All Means for C4

The inaugural free agency period has fundamentally reshaped the competitive landscape. London has constructed what appears to be the league’s most dominant top-three, with the #1, #2, and #4 ranked players from 2025 all on the same roster. Montreal, despite losing two starters, remains formidable with championship experience, elite talent, and the chemistry advantage of reuniting Chin with Fajardo. Detroit-Windsor made the most dramatic leap, adding a top-six performer to transform their championship window.

The January 27 draft will be critical, particularly for teams like the Owls, Lights, and Pronghorns who need to add four players each to complete their rosters. With teams at the top loading up with proven talent, the draft class will need to deliver impact players who can compete at the highest level from day one. Free agency has delivered on its promise of creating player movement, competitive drama, and heightened stakes. The revolution has begun, and C4 is shaping up to be the most explosive, competitive season in CNPL history.