JNT alum Pierre Lavertu selected first overall in CFL Draft
The 2014 CFL Draft opened with a bang on Monday night as the Calgary Stampeders struck a deal for the Ottawa Redblacks’ first overall pick, leading to the selection of 2009 Junior National Team alum, Pierre Lavertu, an offensive lineman from Université Laval.
The selection marked the second consecutive year that a member of Canada’s 2009 junior squad was selected 1st overall as Linden Gaydosh (Hamilton) accomplished the feat in 2013.
The next two picks saw a pair of Football Canada Cup and IFAF World Team alumni go off the board. Offensive lineman Mattias Goossen from Simon Fraser was selected 2nd overall by Winnipeg while Toronto traded up to select Manitoba Bisons’ standout Anthony Coombs.
Both players were teammates on the 2012 IFAF World Team that handed Team USA its first defeat in International competition. Coombs earned the game’s MVP honours rushing for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
Both also participated in the Football Canada Cup with Coombs first accomplishing the feat with Manitoba in the 2007 under-17 division while Goossen represented BC at the 2010 edition.
With the final pick of the first round, Hamilton selected another member of the 2012 IFAF World Team – Evan Gill who is also a three time Canada Cup participant. He twice participated in the under-17 division with Manitoba in 2008 and 2009 while he competed against Goossen in 2010.
Three additional members of the ‘09 JNT were selected on Monday night – Jesse Briggs (2nd round, 8th pick to Winnipeg), Adam Thibault (3rd round, 6th pick to Calgary), David Ménard (4th round, 5th pick to BC) and Guillaume Bourassa (7thround, 5th pick to BC).
A total of 5 members of Canada’s 2009 Junior National Team, 20 Football Canada Cup and 5 IFAF World Team alumni were selected in the 2014 CFL Draft on Monday night.
The 2014 draft was a record night for CIS football as 59 out of the 65 players selected are products of the Canadian university system.
Congratulations to all those selected and best of luck this upcoming season.
Draft results:
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