Forge FC's Daniel Nimick (right) tries to settle down a ball with pressure from Vancouver Whitecaps' Jeevan Singh Badwal (59) during second half Canadian Championship semifinal soccer action in Hamilton, on Thursday, August 13, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

By The Canadian Press

Forge’s Nimick and Rama, Ottawa’s Abatneh up for CPL top defender award

Oct 29, 2025 | 10:01 AM

Forge FC’s Daniel Nimick and Rezart Rama and Atletico Ottawa’s Noah Abatneh are the finalists for the Canadian Premier League’s Defender of the Year award.

Abatneh is also nominated for the league’s Best Canadian U-21 Player award.

The 21-year-old topped the league in successful passes (1,855) and passing accuracy (95.6 percent). His lone goal of the campaign was a timely one, a 96-minute winner against York United in April.

Nimick, 25, led the CPL in blocks (24) and possessions won in the defensive third (99) and ranked second among all defenders with at least 500 minutes played in goals conceded per 90 minutes (0.83). At the other end of the field, he scored two goals and added four assists in his first season with Forge.

Nimick was also nominated for the award in 2023.

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Rama, 24, led all defenders in interceptions made (39) and duels won (143), and finished second in tackles won (46).

The winner, decided in a vote of the eight CPL club’s technical leadership plus select media members, will be announced Nov. 7 in Ottawa as part of the CPL championship game festivities.

Cavalry FC’s Daan Klomp won the award the last two years.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 29, 2025

The Canadian Press