SHERBROOKE – After an extremely loaded schedule on Thursday, which included consecutive practices and individual headshots, the Alouettes players took to Coulter Field Friday morning for a light walkthrough. Players and coaches alike were in good spirits all morning long, as the team is less than 24 hours away from playing an intrasquad scrimmage in front of its fans at Coulter Field.
2015 Draft: One year later
Year in and year out, the Alouettes scouting department works tirelessly to draft and groom the right players that will help the organization win games and remain competitive for years to come. Canadian talent is key in the CFL.
Despite the draft’s unpredictability, it seems as though the 2015 Canadian Draft is already paying dividends for the Alouettes, who are looking for their second-year players to fill in at key positions. Jacob Ruby is currently auditioning for a spot along the offensive line, where he’s been turning in a solid training camp performance and improving every day.
Linebackers Chris Ackie and Nicholas Shortill showed up to training camp with some added muscle to their respective frames, which they hope can help elevate their play. Selected 4th and 13th overall respectively, Ackie and Shortill are looking to fulfill their potential, as they learn from fellow star linebackers Bear Woods, Chip Cox, Winston Venable and Kyries Hebert. The young backers are currently key cogs of the Alouettes’ special teams units.
Brandon Bridge is also a second-year Canadian who has been turning heads since he entered the league. His imposing figure and strong arm have allowed him to have an impressive camp in 2016. The Alouettes’ 4th round draft pick (31st overall) in 2015 was a risk according to some analysts, but all signs point to yet another draft steal by general manager and head coach Jim Popp. Also among the Canadian draft picks enjoying early success is local wide receiver Mikhaïl Davidson. In one of the strongest wide receiver classes ever, Davidson has found a way to stand out, as he has been making spectacular plays all over the field, while also returning kicks. The quick rise of the Alouettes’ 2015 Canadian draft class is giving Montreal fans tons of hope and optimism for both the near future and further down the line.
Happy Birthday Nik!
On Thursday, Stefan Logan celebrated his 35th birthday, and Friday it was Nik Lewis’ turn. The future hall of fame receiver turned 34 years old, and has showed no signs of age becoming a factor. His hands remain as sure as ever, and he remains a security blanket for any quarterback throwing his way.
Picard retires
Montreal Alouettes centre Dominic Picard announced on Friday his retirement from professional football, following an accomplished and impressive ten-season career in the Canadian Football League. The Sainte-Foy, QC native suited up for the Toronto Argonauts, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, raising the Grey Cup with the latter in 2013.
Intrasquad game – the weekend is finally here!
The Alouettes will play their intrasquad game presented by Telus on Saturday morning from 9:00-11:00 AM at Bishop’s University’s Coulter Field. Entrance is free just as it has been throughout training camp, and it provides a great opportunity for sports fans in the Eastern Townships to watch high-quality professional football.
The Alouettes’ brass is excited to see what their players have in store for them, as the atmosphere will be intense on the field and joyful in the crowd. Fans are invited to come out in large numbers, as the game experience will be recreated, as the national anthem will be performed by Andria Piperni and a number on the bagpipes will be performed.
Amateur coaches on site
On June 4 and 5, CIS and amateur coaches are invited to watch the team practice, and meet with coaches and players as the session concludes. This presents a great opportunity for any coaches who want to learn from the best and soak in the CFL coaching experience.
Tomorrow
The 2016 Alouettes training camp continues tomorrow on Coulter Field, as the team will play its annual intrasquad game presented by Telus starting at 9:00 a.m.
