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Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Rider All-Stars and Signings

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are pleased to announce that two players have been chosen to the West Division All-Star team. One player from the Green and White was selected to the West offence while one was selected to the West defence. The West Division All-Stars were selected by the voting members from the West Division markets, the West Division head coaches and the National Chapter.

BRENDON LABATTE (OL): LaBatte just completed his eighth CFL season and fourth with the Riders. The University of Regina product played 18 regular season games at left guard, helping pave the way for the team’s league leading ground attack. This is LaBatte’s seventh consecutive Division All-Star nomination after previously being selected to the West Division from 2012-2014, and the East Division team from 2009-2011 while with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

JEFF KNOX Jr. (LB): Knox has picked up West Division All-Star recognition following an outstanding rookie season. The 23-year-old Pittsburgh native set a Roughriders single season franchise record with 114 defensive tackles. Knox also added 10 special teams tackles, two tackles for loss, two fumble returns and an interception to round out an impressive debut season.

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The Saskatchewan Roughriders have announced fullback Carl Fitzgerald, linebacker Nathan Kanya, linebacker Kyle Norris, defensive lineman Levi Steinhauer, and offensive lineman Matt Vonk have all re-signed with the team. As per club policy, terms of the contracts were not released.

Fitzgerald (6’5 – 250) played 13 regular season games with the Riders after joining the team in July. The three year CFL veteran spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Kanya (6’2 – 234) just completed his fifth CFL season, and first with the Riders. The 28-year-old picked up three special teams tackles in eight regular season games. Kanya has played 71 career games, previously spending time with the Edmonton Eskimos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Norris (6’3 – 232) is a three year CFL veteran. The 25-year-old played six regular season games as a rookie after being selected by the Edmonton Eskimos in the 3rd round (24th overall) in the 2013 CFL Draft. He joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a free agent in 2014 where he played 10 games before being plucked off the practice roster and inserted into the Montreal Alouettes lineup.

Steinhauer (6’3 – 235) will return for his third season after originally being selected by the Riders in 5th round (40th overall) of the 2013 CFL Draft. The Moose Jaw native played three regular season games in 2015 before suffering a season ending knee injury. He has recorded 17 special teams tackles in 27 career games.

Vonk (6’4 – 305) just completed his second CFL season, playing nine games as a backup offensive lineman. The 25-year-old product of Waterloo was originally selected by the Riders in the 5th round (38th overall) in the 2013 CFL Draft.

All five players were eligible to become free agents in February.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maintaining Canadian depth and he hasn't been given the job full time. Great move by O'Day. Nothing fancy, just making sure the cupboard is stocked.

Two thumbs up!

peter dalla riva

Anonymous said...

Labatte? Who picked these! The only all-star on this sad sack team should have been Knox and that is it!

Anonymous said...

Steinhauer might be the only one of these 5 around when the opening day 2016 roster is announced. Big deal! Training camp cuts.

Anonymous said...

Labatte got on there out of pity to Roughriders losing organization.