Huskies Make Their Mark In The CFL

CFL Football Huskies Top Stories

Thirteen former University of Saskatchewan Huskies have earned a spot on CFL rosters for the 2013 season. 

The Edmonton Eskimos, Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Toronto Argonauts and Montreal Alouettes all feature Huskie alumni on their rosters entering the 2013 season. The University of Saskatchewan is tied for the second most active players on CFL rosters.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders roster boasts the most former Huskies with six players on the team to start the campaign. Veteran fullback Graeme Bell will start the season on the 9-game injured list as will third year Rider offensive lineman Patrick Neufeld. Neufeld started 13 of 17 games for the Riders last season, but suffered a leg injury during training camp in June.

After being selected first overall in the Canadian Player Draft in 2012, Ben Heenan started 12 games at multiple positions on the offensive line last season. Heenan will take on a larger role in 2013 with the injury to Neufeld. Levi Steinhauer will join his former teammate for his rookie season after securing a spot on the squad in training camp. Steinhauer was drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 Draft and will look to contribute on special teams.

Scott McHenry will look to build on his season a year ago in which he set career highs in both receptions and yards. McHenry played in all 18 regular season games and suited up for the green and white in the playoffs. Paul Woldu will look to make an impact in his second year with the squad. Woldu has been to two Grey Cups as part of the Montreal Alouettes secondary.

After adding Charlie Power in the 2013 Canadian Player Draft, the Calgary Stampeders have a pair of Huskies on the roster this summer. Power has been added to the practice roster as a fullback to begin the season. Defensive back Keenan MacDougall returns for his second season with the club after being drafted by the Stamps in 2012. MacDougall’s rookie season was highlighted by a 63-yard fumble return for a touchdown in his CFL debut.

Three-time Grey Cup champion Scott Flory will suit up for his 15th season with the Alouettes. Flory has been named a CFL All-Star nine times and the CFL’s Most Outstanding Lineman in 2008 and 2009. Most recently, he was named to the Top 50 CFL Players of 2013 unveiled by TSN. Flory was voted #49 on the list by the media.

Grant Shaw enters his second season with the Eskimos after being acquired from the Argonauts in a blockbuster trade last summer. The 2009 Canada West All-Star will handle kickoff and field goal duties for the green and gold.

The Blue Bombers receiving corps will feature a duo of former Huskies in Rory Kohlert and Jade Etienne. Kohlert returns for his second season with the squad after starting five games last year. Etienne is in his third season with the Bombers.

CFL veteran Chad Rempel will hit the field with the Argonauts fresh off winning his first Grey Cup ring. Rempel handles the long snapping duties for the Boatmen and has seen spot duty at receiver over his career.

Former player turned coach, Kelly Bates, enters his third year on the B.C. Lions sideline as a running backs coach and draft coordinator. The 11-year CFL veteran and All-Star won one Grey Cup as a player with the Lions in 2006. Bates’ CIS career was highlighted by a Vanier Cup championship in 1998 with the Huskies.

The season kicks off Thursday, June 27th in Winnipeg as the Blue Bombers host the Montreal Alouettes at the brand new Investors Group Field.

HUSKIES IN THE CFL (Years played for the Huskies)

Saskatchewan Roughriders:
Graeme Bell – FB (1999-2000, 2002-04)
Ben Heenan – OL (2008-11)
Scott McHenry – WR (2005-09)
Patrick Neufeld – OL (2006-10)
Levi Steinhauer – DL (2010-12)
Paul Woldu – DB (2006-07)

Edmonton Eskimos:
Grant Shaw – K (2008)

Calgary Stampeders:
Keenan MacDougall – DB (2008-11)
Charlie Power – FB (2009-12)

Winnipeg Blue Bombers:
Rory Kohlert – SB (2006, 2009-11)
Jade Etienne – WR (2007-10)

Toronto Argonauts:
Chad Rempel – SB (2000-04)

Montreal Alouettes:
Scott Flory – OL (1994-98)

B.C. Lions
*Kelly Bates – RB Coach (1997-2000)

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