Groulx headed to Edmonton

Laval  – Offensive lineman Danny Groulx was the first Laval Rouge et Or player to be selected on Tuesday night at the draft 2015 Canadian Football League (CFL).

Groulx heard his name called in 7th overall by the Edmonton Eskimos. The native of Gatineau was ranked fifth  according to the CFL’sCentral Scouting Bureau Final Rankings It was also the first choice of Eskimos from the Rouge et Or since Michael Jean-Louis in 2007 (4th round, 26th overall).

Besides the 6 foot 6 inch giant, four other Rouge et Or athletes were chosen – Karl Lavoie, Matthew Norzil, Christophe Normand and Brandon Tennant. Lavoie, an offensive lineman was chosen in the first round, 9th overall by the reigning Grey Cup Champions, the Calgary Stampeders. Norzil, a receiver was selected in the fourth round (30th overall) by the Toronto Argonauts. Running back Normand was chosen by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, also in the fourth round (33rd overall).

Without expectations

Although the last few days rumors spread that he selected more quickly – perhaps in the forefront – Groulx indicated that the rank did not matter.

“I did not really have expectations,” said Groulx.  “My goal was to go in the first round and on the part of a team that wanted me.”
“I am happy to land in Edmonton and I will go there to compete.”

“I can not wait. There were at least six or seven offensive line guys who were going among the top selections so it was hard to predict what would happen. Once there, you can not wait. I’m just happy to have been chosen.”

Groulx, who joined the Rouge et Or in 2011 after a stint with the Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars was dominant during his four seasons in Laval, despite injuries that limited his playing time at each the last two seasons. After starting in each of the 12 games he took part as a rookie at the guard position, he ended up as a tackle in its second year and has again started 12 games before being limited to seven games in 2013 and six last fall.

The 6’6 and 325 pound giant leaves the Quebec campus after helping Laval to win the Dunsmore Cup three times and the Vanier Cup on two occasions. In 2014, he was part of an offensive unit that has dominated the RSEQ conference for points (47.9 per game), the passing game (330.4), the ground game (235.4), total offensive yards (565.8) and fewest sacks allowed (10) in eight games of the regular season. In 2012 and 2013, the Rouge et Or had established a consecutive Vanier Cup record with 373 receiving and 449 rushing yards.

After taking part in the CIS East-West Bowl last year, Groulx was ranked among the 10 top prospects on all three of the CFL’s Scouting Bureau rankings published in 2014-2015, including fourth in September the eighth in December as well as fifth last month.

Lavoie joins Lavertu

Karl Lavoie was thrilled for his part, to hear his name two ranking positions after that of his former Rouge et Or teammate, especially since Calgary’s selection allows him to reuniter with his good friend Pierre Lavertu.

“It’s a surprise, yes, because we had not had a lot of discussions with them during the process,” recalled Lavoie who did not hesitate in ranking his draft selection as the highest accomplishment of his career.  “Shortly before the selection, the Stampeders assistant general manager asked for my number from Pierre Lavertu to text message, then we began to suspect something.”

“Peter has been involved from the beginning; he is a very good friend and this is the scenario we had been from the start. That’s incredible. I was also very happy for Danny. It’s indescribable what I feel right now.”

Since arriving to the Rouge et Or in 2011, Lavoie missed only four games and played 44 contests. The Quebec native was selected to the CIS First All-Canadian team in 2013 and 2014 as well as a RSEQ offensive All-Star  in 2011, 2013 and 2014.

Normand with Pontbriand

Christophe Normand was delighted with his selection by Winnipeg as he will join former Rouge et Or Michel-Pierre Pontbriand, also a fullback with the Blue Bombers.

“I’m really happy,” said Normand, who also joins former Rouge et Or players Dominic Picard and Julian Feoli-Gudino in the Manitoba capital. “It is a bit of a surprise, since the interview I had with Winnipeg to Toronto had not been very well.”

“I have a great challenge before me. To work alongside a former Rouge et Or in Pontbriand who is an established star, as a great opportunity to learn.”

Normand lived his best moments in Laval during his second campaign in 2012. The number 39 had accumulated 240 yards in nine games. He also scored two touchdowns.

Tennant wants to prove his worth

Brandon Tennant wants to put the past months behind him and show what he is capable at a professional camp.

“I’m glad I was drafted,” said Tennant.  “I have not had the best past eight months I wanted.”

“I’m just happy to have a chance with the Riders. After talking to teams in recent days, I still believed in my chances. Everything will start again in training camp. I’ll take this opportunity to give everything I have.”

Tennant had his best season in 2013, he had amassed 14 solo tackles and 10 assisted which earned him a First Team RSEQ All-Star and CIS Second Team All-Canadian.

Rouge et Or players selected in the CFL Draft over the years

2015

Danny Groulx, Gatineau, offensive line, Round 1 (7th), Edmonton Eskimos

Karl Lavoie, Quebec offensive line, Round 1 (9th), Calgary Stampeders

Matthew Norzil, Montreal, receiver, 4 th round (30th), Toronto Argonauts

Christophe Normand, Bromont, running back, 4th round (33rd), Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Brandon Tennant, Montreal, defensive line, 7 th round (59th), Saskatchewan Roughriders

2014

Pierre Lavertu, Quebec offensive line, Round 1 (1), Calgary Stampeders

Pascal Lochard, Montreal, running back, 2nd round (14th), BC Lions

Adam Thibault, Quebec, defensive back, 3rd round (24th), Calgary Stampeders

Hugo Desmarais, Valleyfield, offensive line, 5th round (37th), Red and Black Ottawa

Vincent Desloges, St-Augustin-de-Desmaures, defensive line, 7 th round (55th), Red and Black Ottawa

Guillaume Bourassa, La Tuque, running back, 7 th round (59th), BC Lions

2013

Seydou Junior Haidara, Quebec, receiver, Round 2 e (12 th), BC Lions

Yannick Morin-Plante, Drummondville, receiver, Round 3 e (25th), Calgary Stampeders

2012

Frédéric Plesius, Laval, linebacker, Round 2 e (10 th), Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Patrick Lavoie, Ste-Flavie, fullback, 2nd round (11th), Montreal Alouettes

Arnaud Gascon-Nadon Montreal, defensive end, Round 3 e (17 th), Hamilton Tiger-Cats

2011

Marc-Antoine L. Fortin, Quebec, defensive line, 3 th round (20th), Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Pascal Baillargeon, St-Anselme, offensive line, 3rd round (21 th), Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Christopher Milo, Montreal, kicker, 4 th round (30th), Saskatchewan Roughriders

Julian Feoli-Gudiño, San José, Costa Rica, receiver, 5th round (38th), Toronto Argonauts

2010

Samuel Fournier, Lacolle, running back, 3rd round (19th), Hamilton Tiger-Cats

2009

Étienne Légaré, St-Raymond de Portneuf, defensive lineman, 1st round (2nd), Toronto Argonauts

Guillaume Allard-Cameus, Laval, running back, 5th round (33rd), Tiger-Cats

2008

Laurent Lavigne-Masse, Montreal, wide receiver, 5th round (33rd), Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, St-Hyacinthe, offensive line, 6th round (48th), Montreal Alouettes

2007

Michaël Jean-Louis, Granby, defensive lineman, 4th round (26th), Edmonton Eskimos

Éric Maranda, Notre-Dame-des-Pins, linebacker, 4th round (29th), Toronto Argonauts

2006

Dominic Picard, Sainte-Foy, offensive center, 3 th round (23rd), Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Jean-Philippe Abraham, St-Augustin, linebacker, 4 th round (34th), Edmonton Eskimos

Nicolas Bisaillon, La Tuque, running back, 5th round (42nd), Edmonton Eskimos

2005

Miguel Robede, Val-D’Or, defensive line, Round 1 (1), Calgary Stampeders

Matthieu Proulx, Gatineau, defensive back, Round 1 (5th), Montreal Alouettes

Philippe Audet, Sainte-Justine, defensive end, 2nd round (14th), Toronto Argonauts

Phillip Gauthier, Gatineau, defensive back, Round 2 e (16 th), Montreal Alouettes

Pierre Tremblay, Quebec offensive line, Round 2 e (17 th), BC Lions

2004

Jean-Frederic Tremblay, Boischatel, wide receiver, Round 1 (7th), Toronto Argonauts

Pascal Masson, Kanesatake, defensive, Round 2 e (16 th), Calgary Stampeders

Martin Gagnon, Chicoutimi, linebacker, 5th round (44th), Edmonton Eskimos


2003

Carl Gourgues, Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, offensive line, 3 th round (24th), BC Lions

Mathieu Bertrand, Chambly, quarterback, 5th round (44th), Montreal Alouettes

2002

Alexandre Gauthier, Maria, offensive line, Round 1 (1), Ottawa Renegades

François Boulianne, Jonquière, offensive line, 2nd round (15th), the Saskatchewan Rough Riders

2000

Benoit Meloche, Montreal, linebacker, 4 th round (24th), Toronto Argonauts

Jean-Vincent-Posy Audette, Port-au-Prince (Haiti), defensive back, 6th 42nd round), Toronto Argonauts

1999

André Trudel, Charlesbourg, offensive line, 4th round (29th), Toronto Argonauts

Pascal Cheron, Charlesbourg, offensive line, 6 th round (45th), Hamilton Tiger Cats

1998

Bernard Gravel, St-Georges de Beauce, defensive, 5th round (30th), BC Lions

Francesco Pepe Esposito, Brindisi (Italy), linebacker, 5th round (31st), BC Lions

With files from Stephane Jobin

Photo creditl Stephane Gaudreau

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