WATERLOO, Ont. - Laurier Golden Hawks pitcher Gavin McLean will add further experience to his baseball resume this summer, joining the Kitchener Panthers for the upcoming Canadian Baseball League (CBL) season.

McLean will join the squad in a bullpen role before returning to Laurier for his third Ontario University Athletics (OUA) season this fall.

His opportunity comes as part of a growing pathway for university and college athletes, with players from the OUA and OCAA able to compete in the revamped CBL without impacting their remaining collegiate eligibility in Ontario.

The league's evolution into its current form was formalized last November, when the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) announced it had become a fully professional circuit and would operate as the CBL.

This season marks the league's 108th year of operation, as it remains the top independent professional baseball league in Canada, featuring former MLB and MiLB talent, along with players from countries including the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Panama and Japan.

The 6'3", 205-pound right-hander from Elmira, Ont., has been a steady presence in the Golden Hawks rotation, logging 40 innings as a starter while recording 42 strikeouts. He posted an earned run average just over 4.00 and consistently generated weak contact at a rate of 67 percent.

A 22 year-old psychology major and 2024/25 U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian, McLean has also emerged as a leader within the program.

Prior to joining Laurier for the start of the 2024 season, McLean spent two years with Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. He pitched 21.2 innings across 16 appearances for the Yellowjackets, who compete in the NAIA's Heart of America Athletic Conference.

For McLean, the opportunity to play close to home marks a significant milestone in his baseball journey.

"I've had the goal of playing baseball professionally for a long time, and to be able to make it a reality so close to home with Kitchener is an amazing opportunity," McLean said.

"My time at Laurier prepared me to take this next step. After coming home from playing in the States, the coaching staff at Laurier helped me find myself as a pitcher again. I was able to compete and have fun playing the game again with a great group of teammates and coaches."

"As a team captain, Gavin sets the tone," said Laurier associate head coach Rob Hepplewhite. "He leads by example, holds a high standard, and puts in the work on the mound and in the clubhouse, all while mentoring our younger players and driving the performance of the entire staff."

It will not be McLean's first stint with Kitchener, as he made a pair of appearances with the Panthers during the 2024 season.

"I was able to watch Gavin closely with our U22 team last season, and he definitely put himself on our radar," Panthers general manager Shanif Hirani said in the team's announcement. "He's had a strong offseason so far, and I am looking forward to seeing it translate onto the mound with us this year."

The Panthers open their 48-game regular season on Sunday, May 10, on the road against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Dominico Field at Christie Pits.