In 2016, the organization decided to make the transition to the professional ranks by applying for membership in the Canadian Soccer League.

[5][6] After presenting a successful strategic business plan, the club received the necessary votes in order to be approved by the league ownership.

[9] Zayets assembled a roster with several key CSL veterans acquired primarily from FC Ukraine United.

The acquisitions included Sergiy Ivliev, Oleg Shutov, Mykhailo Bulkin, Vitaliy Dnistryan, Danylo Lazar, Vadym Gostiev, and Oleh Kerchu was assigned the team captain.

[12][13] Vorkuta made their professional debut on May 27, 2017 against Milton SC with a 7–0 victory with goals coming from Kerchu, Lazar, Shutov, Gostiev, and Yaroslav Svorak.

[3] On top of the crest was a barbed wire which symbolized the owner's birthplace Vorkuta in Siberia, Russia where a former Gulag labor camp was located.