By Jack Bedell
MontrealAlouettes.com
Since the advent of the CFL Canadian Draft in 1970, the Alouettes have selected nearly 250 players in the annual event, and while many of these draft picks failed to make much of a dent in the CFL record books, some went on to become indelible parts of the club’s history of excellence as well as league stalwarts.
Ranking the top draft picks in Alouettes history would be an impossible task. The team has become such an integral part of the football community in both Quebec and in the success of the Canadian Football League in general, that there would be no way to separate on-field accomplishments from off-field contributions.
Taking a look through the Als’ inventory of draft picks to make a list of some of the most noteworthy, though, now that’s right up my alley.
From first draft to last, here’s my take on ten of the Montreal Alouettes’ prime picks:
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A multiple CFL All-Star and Grey Cup champion, Proudfoot went on to epitomize Alouette class. |
1. Tony Proudfoot, 1971 (4th Round, 36th overall), LB, New Brunswick
There’s not enough space here to adequately address the example Proudfoot set for effort and courage throughout his life. A multiple CFL All-Star and Grey Cup champion, Proudfoot went on to epitomize Alouette class.
2. Larry Smith, 1972 (1st Round, 1st overall), RB, Bishop’s
The only first-overall pick in Als’ franchise history, Smith had a solid career as a running back in Montreal, helping the team win two Grey Cups in the 70s.
3. Chris Walby, 1981 (1st Round, 4th overall), DT, Dickinson State
The big man only played five games for the Als before embarking on a Hall of Fame career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Over the course of his 16-year career, Walby was a 9-time CFL All-Star, two-time CFL Most Outstanding Lineman, and three-time Grey Cup champion.
4. Dave Ridgway, 1981 (7th Round, 58th overall), K, Toledo
Who could’ve imagined that one draft would produce two players who would go on to earn Hall of Fame honours with other teams? For a player who failed to even make the Als’ roster, Ridgway went on to a distinguished, record-breaking career in Saskatchewan, earning the nickname “Robokicker” for his uncanny accuracy and steely nerves.
5. Bryan Chiu, 1996 (2nd Round, 18th overall), G, Washington State
An all-time favourite of mine, Chiu anchored the Alouettes’ offensive line for 14 years, earning CFL All-Star honours eight times. He was also the foundation for two Grey Cup championship squads, and a tireless worker in the community representing the organization.
6. Bruno Heppell, 1997 (3rd Round, 21st overall), FB, Western Michigan
Another player who stood as large off the field representing the team and the sport of football in the community as he did on the field, Heppell was a two-time East Division all-star and an integral cog in the Alouettes championship run in 2002. Without his lead blocking, Hall of Famer Mike Pringle might have had a shorter stat sheet!
7. Ben Cahoon, 1998 (1st Round, 6th overall), WR, Brigham Young
It’s hard for me to imagine the Alouettes game-day experience without the familiar refrain of “Cahoooooooooooon” coming out of the P.A. speakers after one of Ben’s highlight-reel grabs. From a humble start, Cahoon rewrote the CFL record books by the time he hung up the cleats after the 2010 season, and he redefined class and determination for generations of fans around the league.
8. Scott Flory, 1998 (3rd Round, 15th overall), T, Saskatchewan
What a draft haul the first two picks of 1998 brought! With Cahoon a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame, you can bet Flory won’t be far behind when his playing days are over. A two-time CFL Most Outstanding Lineman and six-time CFL All-Star, Flory has been a bedrock in the middle of the Als’ offensive line and an excellent ambassador for the club in many of its outreach programs.
9. Davis Sanchez, 1999 (1st Round, 6th overall), CB, Oregon
An absolute ball-hawk behind Don Matthews’ aggressive defensive fronts, Sanchez led the league in picks in 2000 and was named a CFL All-Star on three occasions with the Als. I can’t think of another cornerback I’d trust to cut the legs out from under a receiver in the open field and limit yards after the catch than Davis.
10. Étienne Boulay, 2006 (2nd Round, 16th overall), DB, New Hampshire
Named the East Division’s Outstanding Rookie after his inaugural season, Boulay came out of the gates fast as an Alouette. Effective as a cover corner and as a safety, Boulay is as good an athlete in the Als’ secondary as you’ll find in the CFL. He’s also a sterling example of a young man off the field and in the press.
