A lot has changed in the Canadian Premier League since Dec. 11, 2018 when Valour FC revealed its second-ever signing in English striker Stephen Hoyle.

Since then, Valour’s roster has expanded to 18 players that are less than a month out from kicking off their first ever season in the CPL.

Inking an international forward with years of experience was a big deal for the club. And to be a part of what head coach Rob Gale is looking to do in Winnipeg was a big deal for Hoyle.

“What a fantastic opportunity in your career to build something from scratch,” Hoyle said after his first training session at Investors Group Field. “If we can set standards that last 20 years at Valour Football Club then we’re a part of something special, aren’t we?”

Hoyle arrived in Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon via Los Angeles, after completing his season in New Zealand with Canterbury United. The 26-year-old centre-forward scored 10 times in 17 appearances and led his team to the play-off semi-final.

Only 40 days will have passed between Hoyle’s last game in New Zealand and his first game in Canada when Valour visits Pacific FC on May 1. But the native of Barnsley, England isn’t worried about the quick turnaround.

“At Canterbury, they knew the situation and I’ve done a few back-to-back seasons so they managed my workload.

So straight to the training ground went Hoyle, less than 12 hours since landing in ‘the Peg’ as he looked to make up for lost time with his new teammates. Being thrown in a month into camp gave the forward a good chance to see what he was working with. After his first day, Hoyle was impressed.

“I liked what I saw, it’s a lot of what I would call ‘flavour’,” Hoyle said, focusing in on the ‘technical’ bunch of Canadians that don’t fit the old mould of North American players known more for their size and strength.

“Coming from England, the typical North American player you picture is like Jozy Altidore because you see them in the Premier League, but this group has a lot of South American influence and a lot of guys that can play.”

Most exciting for Hoyle were the players expected to line up on his flanks. Michael Petrasso joined Valour after a promising start to his pro career, while Ali Musse has turned heads in training camp. Gale has also been experimenting with an attacking 3-4-3 formation. All music to the ears of a player that scored 40 goals over his last 84 games.

“My dream is they beat three-four guys then give it to me three yards out and I finish it,” Hoyle said. “That’s an ideal scenario, the less you have to do to get your goals the better and I’m a penalty box player so they excite me with the chances they create.”

Along with creating goals, Hoyle is set on making some memories of his first year in Canada. He was one of the first established players to ‘buy-in’ to the upstart league and only the second international way back when the first player commitments were announced.

“I think I’m lucky, I know the calibre of Canadians out there and there are thousands of internationals who would love to have this opportunity.”

It almost sounds funny to hear that as back before anyone was under contract, skeptics wondered what quality of player would be interested in a first-year league that plays in a country known for winter sports. Hoyle says he has seen the perception of the CPL change ever since the day he signed.

“I asked (players) about this league really early on and they turned their nose at it a bit, they didn’t understand,” he said. “I’m a dreamer so I believed in it right away and now I get my opportunity, I take it, I sign early.”

Hoyle says some who didn’t take the league seriously are regretting it.

“These same boys who wanted to do USL or wanted something else are now onto me saying it’s coming together and they can’t get into the league.”

One opportunity that had Hoyle intrigued early on was when he learned that his team will have a chance to earn a place in the CONCACAF Champions League.

“It’s a dream for a kid from Barnsley to travel to the Caribbean to play football, I want to see what the culture looks like.”

Even without a potential meeting with CONCACAF’s best, Hoyle’s passport is getting its fair share of work. The Englishman will soon add a stamp from the Dominican Republic after his journey from New Zealand, then the United States, then Canada. Valour FC will join the rest of the Canadian Premier League in the Dominican Republic on Saturday.

For Hoyle, it means five days to get used to Winnipeg, and then get to work.

“I wanna win the whole thing, I believe in Rob and the organization so I think we will be right up there.”