HFX Wanderers end of season report cards: like the club, multiple players defied expectations in 2023

Some Wanderers have surpassed expectations, with several players earning nominations for league awards, while others will need to earn their spots for next year

Looking back at March's projected starters for head coach Patrice Gheisar's rebuilt Halifax Wanderers is an exercise in hindsight.

Injuries, clashing personalities and moments of brilliance ensure what's predicted will almost never completely come to pass. This is certainly true for the Wanderers — and really all football clubs ranging from the CPL up to the highest echelons of the sport.

Wanderers captain Andre Rampersad was as sure a bet to feature in Gheisar's starting XI as any on the club; centre-back Cristian Campagna, often mentioned as a bright spot from 2022's failed campaign, looked poised to build upon his promising beginning; Wesley Timoteo, back from a successful loan at FC Edmonton, was marked to strengthen the wings.

Fast forward to October and Rampersad found himself playing second fiddle to midfielder Mo Omar when not on national team duty; Timoteo had proven himself a capable left-back and a fellow by the name of Daniel Nimick — some have called him Newfoundland and Labrador's John Stones — was nominated as the Defender and Player's Player of the Year.

Add in a surprise cameo from former Golden Boot winner João Morelli, now retired, and exciting transfer additions in the form of Doneil Henry and Jordan Perruzza and suddenly, nothing on the lineup sheet was within the realm of expectation.

So how did all these players perform? And who has something to prove for next year?

Josh Healey of the Wanderers Notebook sat down to give each Wanderers roster player their end of season report card. The letter grades are based on each player's expectations going into the year and their respective roles on the squad. Players who have played less than 40 per cent of the matches have been given an incomplete grade.

The players are sorted by their natural positions.

The rankings are based accordingly:

A = Excellent

B = Good

C = Okay

D= Poor

Let's get grading!

Forwards

Tiago Coimbra: B

The 19-year old striker quickly established himself as a fan favourite and, for a tantalizing moment, seemed set to light the league on fire thanks to a goal scoring spree in June. Sadly, Coimbra's impressive form was interrupted by a thigh injury suffered July 8 versus Vancouver FC; he would miss four of the next six matches and was hampered by the injury for much of the remainder of the season. When healthy, Coimbra was a horse upfront and displayed power, an attacking mindset and buckets of energy. He finished with three goals and an assist — a decent haul for his first professional season — so look for him to build on that going forward. I expect Coimbra to have a good shot at leading the Wanderers' lines next year. The club is very, very excited by the youngster.

Wesley Timoteo: B+

Bit strange to have him listed as an attacker but I submit to the roster sheet: Timoteo had a peculiar year, playing the role of a nomadic footballer (or should I say Wanderer?) who set up camp all over the pitch. Gheisar clearly struggled to find a place for the 23-year old Portuguese-Canadian to start the year so, despite his offensive prowess at FC Edmonton, Timoteo often found himself coming in as a sub. That all changed on June 30: Timoteo made his debut as a left-back and, well, never looked back. For me, Timoteo's biggest asset is his football IQ and playing deeper gave him time and space to distribute. He logged four assists, was an asset on set pieces and featured in 24 matches. The Wanderers will be happy they signed him to a guaranteed contract until the end of 2024.

Théo Collomb: B-

For the second year in a row, Collomb is headed back home to France wondering where he'll be playing next. Injuries limited his time with the Vancouver Whitecaps development squad in 2022 but he seemed poised early in the season to fight for a spot in Gheisar's starting XI. Comfortable playing as the tip of the spear or as a left winger, the quick-footed Frenchman showed potential and played 243 of his 584 minutes through the first six matches and netted two important goals at a time when the Wanderers couldn't score.  However, his role on the squad shifted dramatically in August with the arrival of Jordan Perruzza and, despite his natural finishing ability, which I rank amongst the best on the squad, he was dropped. Collomb finished with only two appearances in final 10 matches of the season. My sources say he won't be back.

Massimo Ferrin: A

Ferrin was one of the players who followed Gheisar from Vaughan Azzurri and like his coach, got better as the season progressed. He started brightly, scoring goals against Atlético Ottawa in the Canadian Championship and away at Forge, but was injured during Halifax's first home match. He worked to return to form after missing some time and caught fire in July and again in September as the club vied for a playoff spot. At season's end, Ferrin finished as the club's leading goal scorer with nine in all competitions, added five assists and earned a nomination for Player's Player of the Year. Ferrin was mostly deployed on the left flank but likes to cut into the middle, scoring a plethora of goals from the centre of the pitch. What I liked most about his game was even when he wasn't scoring, his work rate never changed and it was made all the more impressive by the fact that he nursed three different injuries over the course of the campaign. I wouldn't be surprised for Ferrin to compete for the Golden Boot next year if healthy.

Jordan Perruzza: C+

I reported in late June that the Wanderers were interested in adding a forward but was shocked when I learned that Perruzza was joining from TFC on loan. Although I follow TFC, I hadn't realized how few matches he had played. Perruzza started his Wanderers career very much looking like someone who hadn't played much recently. Although his instincts were there, his first touch left a lot to be desired. He improved over the course of his loan, no small part being he was fed the lion's share of the striker position's minutes: he started in eight out of his 10 CPL league appearances. He developed some chemistry with his teammates, especially Lorenzo Callegari, but failed to have the impact I would have expected for someone brought in as a goal scorer. Perruzza did score twice but too often, I felt he was disconnected from the rest of the Wanderers squad. Overall, I think if Perruzza had been in Halifax for training camp, he would have been more effective. He still has another year on his contract with TFC so it'll be interesting to see whether he breaks into the first team or is loaned out again.

Lifumpa Mwandwe: Incomplete

Mwandwe again didn't hit the necessary number of appearances to earn a letter grade and that's one of the reasons he won't be back next season. It's worth noting the 22-year old Englishman featured in seven matches and registered one assist and, be it in training or in play, did everything the coaching staff asked of him. He had his moments, mostly playing as a right-back in relief, but will most fondly be remembered for his work ethic, sense of humour and for mistakenly being called Mbappé.

João Morelli: Incomplete

A miraculous comeback; goals and glory; another injury; retirement. So went Morelli's brief yet inspiring return for the Wanderers. Now, his recovery has been well documented but it doesn't take away from the fact that the 27-year old Brazilian star needed to prove to himself that he could still play before closing out his footballing career. He dazzled and earned a well deserved return to the Wanderers Grounds before being shutdown due to injury. This time, he's walked away for good and returned to Brazil with his family at his side. Morelli may have only played eight matches for the Wanderers in 2023 but his impact was deeply felt.

Midfielders

Aidan Daniels: A-

Daniels' campaign is best described with a single word: dedication. After a disappointing 2022 season, the former TFC Academy product renewed his commitment to the beautiful game under Gheisar and staged a complete renaissance through his 29 matches — the most played of any Wanderer this season not named Yann Fillion. His creativity and vision made him amongst the squad's deadliest players, registering three goals and five assists through the regular season. He also came with a renewed passion for the defensive side of the game, tracking back and playing deeper than ever. During Halifax's heartbreaking playoff loss, Daniels in particular stood out as a leader on the pitch. I'd argue no returning player improved more than Daniels.

Lorenzo Callegari: A+

Nominations for both the CPL Player of the Year and Player's Player of the Year give some insight into how integral the 25-year old Frenchman was to Halifax's system. From his first Cruyff turn, Callegari's technical ability was on full display and Wanderers fans gorged themselves on his passing, passion and Parisian panache. By season's end, Callegari found himself amongst the league leaders for several categories, including a top of class 2,046 passes. What's perhaps most important is that for the first time in a long time, Callegari enjoyed his football. With his option for 2024 triggered, it looks like the former PSG-man has found a home.

Callum Watson: B

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Watson is about as steady as they come. The English midfielder possesses a motor which is the envy of most on the pitch and earned his minutes through determination and hard work. He was rewarded with a brace at the Wanderers Grounds against Valour in early June, helping the club to its first win of the campaign and continued to showcase his worker bee-mentality until the bitter end. His reliability in the middle of the pitch made him a tone setter for Gheisar and company. I think it's safe to say the club is happy to welcome Watson back for next season.

Tomas Giraldo: B

Similar to Collomb, Giraldo is a player who has often left observers yearning to see him healthy. Giraldo again battled the injury bug this year, missing time to start the campaign while battling knocks in the later half of the season. Still, when he was on the pitch, the Montréaler left it all out there, including a pair of goals (one of them a highlight winner against Atlético Ottawa) through 19 matches. The good news is Giraldo looked good for decent stretches and at the ripe age of 20-years old, is still eligible to earn the club U-21 minutes next year. Like Coimbra, I expect him to assume a larger role next year.

Mo Omar: B+

Omar faced adversity this year, struggling in his first appearances as a centre-back, before fighting his way back onto the pitch as Gheisar's preferred midfield partner for Callegari. This was no small feat, especially when you consider Omar beat out Mr. Halifax himself, captain Andre Rampersad. By season's end, Omar came to epitomize Gheisar-ball — often slipping passes with Callegari between pressing attackers in their own 18-yard box on the build up — while bringing an integral leadership element. He finished with the highest passing completion percentage in the league. However, after so much growth, Omar is moving on. Given his pedigree (hello, MLS SuperDraft), I believe he's currently in negotiations to move to a bigger league.

Andre Rampersad: C+

It was a strange season for Rampersad. On one hand, he finally received his first call up to the Trinidad and Tobago national squad in March and subsequently became a staple for his country. A goal in the Gold Cup stands amongst his greatest achievements as a footballer, not to overlook his side beating the U.S. Men's National Team on Nov. 20. On the other hand, he struggled at the club level to start the season and ultimately lost his place in the starting XI to Omar. With Omar gone, expect Rampersad to again slot in as a defensive midfielder and to rediscover the fine form Wanderers fans are accustomed to.

Armaan Wilson: C+

Wilson was key to helping the Wanderers scramble to complete their 2,000 required U-21 minutes. Having said that, he didn't seem to have Gheisar's confidence until well into the season, featuring sparingly through April, May and June. By September, the Ontario-native earned his first start and rewarded his coaches with a sound performance against Pacific with many regulars out. Overall, I like Wilson's profile and potential — in a lot of ways he reminds me of a younger Rampersad — but we have yet to hear if his option will be triggered.

Camilo Vasconcelos: Incomplete

The 18-year old Vasconcelos featured in a single match for the Wanderers following his two matches in the club's U-23 summer series and, to his immense credit, was a burst of energy through his 45-minute sojourn. Hard not to admire the kid's attitude.

Defenders

Zachary Fernandez: A

Fernandez followed up an impressive 2022 season with a brilliant, career defining campaign under Gheisar. Attacking, front-foot football suits him just fine and the Montréaler was put to work bombing down the right side of the pitch as a full-back turned winger. He showcased goal scoring and passing but most importantly, his play to set up the game winner against Atlético Ottawa put his ability to take control of a match front and centre. Given his age, it's no surprise he's drawn interest from North America and Europe. If things go well, the Wanderers will sell Fernandez for a handsome transfer fee.

Cale Loughrey: A-

Similar to Omar, Loughrey had to battle adversity to start the season. He was the odd fellow out on the defensive line but when he got his chance, he never looked back. Through 25 matches, the Ontario-native doubled his minutes from last year and proved a steady partner to Daniel Nimick. Their partnership proved to be the cornerstone of the club's defensive spine and was amongst the most consistent in the league. Even with the arrival of Doneil Henry, Loughrey kept his place and rewarded the Wanderers with steady play. Although his option hasn't been triggered yet, I expect he'll be back next year.

Riley Ferrazzo: B

Ferrazzo did a little bit of everything this year. He started strongly as part of a double pivot (can you say inverted full-back three times fast?) but at times played as a left-back, right-back and briefly, up forward when the Wanderers needed a kickstart. He was a utility knife in athlete's form and was a much used tool in Gheisar's arsenal when he wanted to shake things up. Overall, Ferrazzo's strongest asset — his football IQ — was highlighted by his ability to morph into whatever his coaches needed on the pitch. Although I haven't confirmed it with sources, I have a sneaking suspicion he'll return.

Daniel Nimick: A+

From unknown entity to Defender of the Year candidate; if you didn't know him before, you certainly know Daniel Nimick's name now. There's a lot that can be said about Nimick's rookie season but I think the biggest takeaway is his confidence; he's as cool as they come and judging by the way he takes penalties, has a mental strength that is rare at his age. This is a player who relishes the spotlight and prefers to have the ball at his feet. From beautiful diagonals to clinical one-on-one defending, the 22-year old Labrador-born but U.K. raised centre-back can do it all. His play has peaked interest in the MLS and abroad so it'll be interesting to see if we see him in a Wanderers shirt again. His club option was automatically triggered after his performance clause was met. At this time, things seem quiet.

Doneil Henry: C+

I was as shocked and delighted as anyone when the news broke that a former Canadian Men's National Team defender was signing for Halifax. Given his struggles at Minnesota United, the coaching staff took a slow but steady approach to feeding Henry minutes. In training, between drills, I literally watched Henry drop to do extra sit-ups or push-ups in his bid to get match fit. He mostly served as a closer but, compared to the player who helped Canada earn its place at the World Cup, something was off. He came to the Wanderers to help re-launch his career but found himself on the bench in favour of Loughrey and Nimick. I don't know what's next for Henry but I do believe he's going to do whatever gets him back playing his best on a football pitch.

Cristian Campagna: Incomplete

Campagna was penciled in as a starter in pre-season but quickly fell from Gheisar's graces as the Wanderers flailed for their first win. Once Loughrey found his place, Campagna's minutes plummeted and he never really had an opportunity to re-establish himself. It's a shame, really, as I like Campagna's profile; he moves well and has an underrated ball playing ability. However, the mere fact that he didn't register enough matches to earn a grade means he didn't meet the coaching staff's expectations.

Ryan James: Incomplete

Despite only playing a smattering of matches, James' leadership was still very much felt while he recovered from his knee injury. Instead of flying home to recuperate, he was a fixture of matchdays and was often seen in the pressbox; he was at all the training sessions I attended and he volunteered in the community. Although he didn't feature in many matches, he more than earned my respect as a human being.

Jake Ruby: Incomplete

Ruby looked good when he was on the pitch but similar to last year, he was again hampered by injury. He was a pop of energy whenever on the pitch and, for brief stretches, looked positively dominant. Sadly, he's only suited up 19 times over the last two years for the Wanderers. The club has until Dec. 31 to trigger his option.

Goalkeepers

Yann Fillion: B+

The Wanderers got exactly what they had hoped for with Fillion this year; he played every minute between the sticks and was a calming voice for a young backline. He stood tall when he needed to, including a flurry of important saves to help clinch the club's playoff berth versus Forge. In all, the Ottawa-native finished with 73 saves made and seven clean sheets (part of a three-way tie for third). Fillion is also signed for next year, giving the club further stability moving forward. If he performs similarly next year, I wouldn't be surprised if the club extended his stay on the East Coast.

Aiden Rushenas: Incomplete

Part of Fillion's success meant that Rushenas didn't see a single minute of CPL action this year. It's a testament to how much they trusted the older keeper but also leaves several questions about how they perceive Rushenas. I know the club wanted to get him a start but given the tight standings, they opted to play give the veteran keeper the go ahead. His contract is set to expire at the end of the year.

Feel free to share your player grades by tagging @WanderersNotes on Twitter or by leaving a comment on this page!

Cover Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan / Halifax Wanderers FC