Atlético Ottawa midfielder, and 2023 Canadian Premier League Golden Boot winner Ollie Bassett, has been shortlisted for the Players’ Player of the Year award.
The 25-year-old collected the award last year, picking up the Player of the Year award along the way as well, and has a chance to make it back-to-back wins during the award ceremony which will take place in Hamilton on October 26, 2023.
Bassett scored 11 goals this season, tying with Cavalry FC striker Myer Bevan in the hunt for the Golden Boot, whilst also registering three assists along the way.
Atlético Ottawa’s devoted fanbase has shown vocal support for the British midfielder, with TD Place Stadium nicknamed “Olliewood” following stunning individual performances in 2022 which followed into this latest season.
“I’m extremely happy to be named as a finalist for this award again this season,” said Bassett. “It was an honour to win the first-ever players player of the year award in 2022. It means a lot to be recognized by your fellow professionals for your performances over the course of the season so, of course, I’m happy to get the recognition again this year.”
Ten players from five CPL clubs were named to the 10-man shortlist for Players’ Player of the Year:
- Manny Aparicio (Pacific FC)
- Ollie Bassett (Atlético Ottawa)
- Kyle Bekker (Forge FC)
- Lorenzo Callegari (Halifax Wanderers)
- Terran Campbell (Forge FC)
- Massimo Ferrin (Halifax Wanderers)
- Ali Musse (Cavalry FC)
- Daan Klomp (Cavalry FC)
- Dan Nimick (Halifax Wanderers)
- Ayman Seelouf (Pacific FC)
The Players’ Player of the Year award was introduced in 2022 with every player in the Canadian Premier League voting for who they thought stood out amongst the vast array of talent throughout the league. Players are asked to vote for their top three players, in order, and cannot vote for teammates.
The winner of the Players’ Player of the Year award will receive a unique piece of Inuit soapstone art, carved by artist Ruben Komangapik. The Muskox statue was chosen to honour the Players’ Player of the Year award winner because the animal earns the respect of his heard through his leadership and organization and gains recognition from his peers for his commanding presence in the heat of battle.
The winner of the Players’ Player of the Year award will be announced alongside the league’s other end-of-year award winners at an in-person CPL awards ceremony on Thursday, October 26 at 7 PM ET in Hamilton, ON. The awards ceremony will be broadcast in full by OneSoccer.
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