LANGLEY, B.C. – Trinity Western University men's soccer fullback Jake Ruby (North Vancouver, B.C.) has signed a professional contract with HFX Wanderers FC of the Canadian Premier League.

Ruby, 21, inked a standard player contract – with options for 2022 and 2023 – after being on a U SPORTS Developmental Contract for the 2020 CPL season.

The former Spartans standout made eight appearances and logged 312 minutes at The Island Games last summer in PEI, emerging as a surprise package for the CPL Finals-bound Wanderers after being selected 16th overall in the 2019 CPL-U SPORTS Draft in Montreal.

"Signing on with Trinity Western, my goal was always to play professionally, so I was hoping it would open opportunities for me and that it would be a stepping stone to the professional pathway," Ruby said. "Once the CPL-U SPORTS Draft was introduced, it opened that door for me to finally earn a professional contract."

As a first-year defender with the Spartans in 2019, Rugby started all 16 regular season games and one playoff game, while scoring three goals and adding two assists, placing him fifth in team scoring. 

His rookie success earned him a Canada West Second Team All-Star nod as well as a spot on both the Canada West All-Rookie Team and the U SPORTS All-Rookie Team. 

Ruby is now amongst a trio of Spartans who have earned professional deals in the CPL, alongside Joel Waterman (Cavalry FC), who is now with CF Montreal of Major League Soccer, and Elijah Adekugbe (Cavalry FC).

Ruby is a former member of the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy and has represented Canada at the under-17 level, and appeared in USL League Two side TSS Rovers before joining the Wanderers.

Ruby will also continue his post-educational studies while in Halifax.

"We're pleased to support Jake in his pursuit of a professional career while encouraging his academic aspirations throughout his time in Halifax," HFX Wanderers VP of Football Operations Matt Fegan said in a media release. "We always believe players should have an eye on their future and education is an important part of setting themselves up properly."

About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 12 U SPORTS team championships and 29 Canada West team championships.

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