MontrealAlouettes.com

MONTREAL - The Montreal Alouettes announced on Thursday that the team has extended the contract of non-import guard Kristian Matte.

Matte (6'4, 296 lbs.) has been signed to a new 3-year deal with Montreal following a season in which the St. Hubert, QC native made significant strides to solidify his position at guard.

The 27-year-old earned extensive playing time and developed along the interior line in relief of starters last season. Matte’s first game in 2012 came against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on August 3 as the third-year guard played primarily in short-yardage situations allowing the running game to pick up seven of the teams’ 21 first downs.

“Kristian is developing nicely in our system,” said Alouettes General Manager Jim Popp. “He really contributed this past year and we expect him to continue playing more and more.  He is ready to be a full time starter in the near future, if not now.”

Matte dressed in 11 regular season games in 2012, providing the Alouettes with the flexibility to cover both guard positions. In his second game, Matte helped pave the way for rookie running back Victor Anderson to rush for over 100 yards. He was also part of a Montreal offensive line which allowed only 30 sacks, tied for fewest in the league with the B.C. Lions.

The Alouettes’ first round pick (7th overall) at the 2010 CFL Canadian Draft, Matte also won the Grey Cup in his first season with the team that year.

His impact will also continue to be felt off the field and in the community as he will be participating in the Together at School with CN and the Alouettes program for the second consecutive year. He will continue visiting students in Quebec schools to encourage them to stay in school while focusing on a wide array of challenges they face today, ranging from bullying and academic performance to peer pressure and the importance of staying active.