Montreal, December 17, 2020 – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Thursday that the club has added three local players to the roster, as offensive lineman Philippe Gagnon, fullback Christophe Normand and defensive lineman Junior Luke have all signed contracts for the 2021 season.
Gagnon (6’4″, 311 lbs.) spent the 2019 season with the Ottawa REDBLACKS after playing his first three professional seasons with the Alouettes. Drafted in the first round (second overall) by Montreal in 2016, the 28-year-old played 45-career games in the CFL, including 36 as a starter.
In 2019, the L’Ancienne-Lorette, QC native played nine games with Ottawa, including eight as a starter. During his last season in Montreal in 2018, Gagnon was part of an offensive line which allowed running back Tyrell Sutton to gain 843 rushing yards on 152 carries, while scoring five majors. In 2017, along with his teammates on the offensive line, he helped create openings which allowed the Alouettes to finish in third place in the CFL with 1,718 rushing yards, averaging 95.4 rushing yards per game. Gagnon helped the Université Laval Rouge et Or win back-to-back Vanier Cups in 2012 and 2013.
Normand (6’2″, 230 lbs.) helped the Alouettes’ offensive line in 2019 when he was used as a fullback on offence, on top of being an important cog on special teams, where he finished fourth on the team with 11 tackles, including three in one game against Ottawa in week four. The 29-year-old Bromont, QC native joined Montreal in 2019, following stops in Winnipeg and Edmonton. The former Université Laval Rouge et Or has played 75 games in the CFL, recording 25 special teams tackles.
Luke (6’3″, 291 lbs.) was the BC Lions first round draft pick (seventh overall) in 2017. He played in 53 games with the Lions, registering 25 defensive tackles and four quarterback sacks. In 2019, the former Université de Montréal Carabin amassed nine defensive tackles, one sack, on top of intercepting one pass and knocking down another. The 29-year-old was a member of the Carabins when the team won the Vanier Cup in 2014 at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium.
“We are extremely happy to continue spreading out the good news and to be able to count on established local players on our roster,” said Alouettes General Manager Danny Maciocia. “These guys are real hard workers for who wearing their hometown team’s jersey represents something special.”
