LAVAL – Seydou Junior Haïdara was the first Laval Rouge et Or player to be selected at the draft of the Canadian Football League on Monday afternoon. Haidara heard his name being called by the BC Lions in the second round (12th overall) . His teammate at Laval, Yannick Morin-Plante took the road to Calgary.
Morin-Plante was chosen in the third round (25th overall) by the Stampeders. While available in this draft, Guillaume Rioux was overlooked.
“My dream was to play in the Canadian Football League, regardless of the rank selection,” admitted Haïdara after learning that he was now part of the Lions organization.
“Vancouver is a beautiful city and I loved playing in Lions Stadium (during the 47th Vanier Cup). I also like their attacking style, they like to throw the ball and they love Canadian players, which is a good thing for me, “said the native of Quebec.
This is the first time since 2005 that the British Columbia Lions went into the courtyard of the Rouge et Or eight years ago, they stopped with their second-round pick, 17 th overall, on offensive lineman Pierre Tremblay.
Seydou, like Yannick and William, has always put the team first. ”
We saw today success of personal goal he achieved with his team, and we’re happy for him, “said the head coach Glen Constantin Rouge et Or about Haidara, who played with the Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars college. “The Haïdara style will translate very well to the Canadian Football League.”
In his fourth year with the Rouge et Or, the young man who turned 24 last month caught 23 passes for gains of 394 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season. Haïdara added nine receptions for 289 yards and two majors in the postseason, including establishing the team record for the longest game with a touchdown pass for 103 yards.
Morin-Plante to Calgary:
For its part, it is with joy and astonishment that the receiver Yannick Morin-Plante received a call from the Stampeders.
“I am pleasantly surprised, since Calgary was one of only two teams with whom I had no discussion,” said Morin-Plante. “I’ve played in Calgary (in 2011 during the semifinal) and Stampeders appear to be an organization that takes care of its players. I can not wait to go to camp, “added the product of Vulkins Victoriaville.
“Yannick has qualities that can not be taught, or the speed and physical strength. He still needs to develop his skills to shine among the best, but its future is very promising, “said Glen Constantin.
In 2012, Yannick Morin-Plante caught 17 passes for gains of 150 yards and a touchdown. In the post-season, the 23-year cumulative six receptions for 106 yards and a major.
Disappointment for Guillaume Rioux:
As for Guillaume Rioux, he was optimistic despite the fact that CFL teams passed on him today.
“I’m disappointed, yes, but this is not the end, this is just another chapter. I still have one year to play in Laval, I will live out, and after it happens it happens, “said the No. 11 Red and Gold
“My thoughts are with Guillaume today, because I know he has worked hard,” said head coach Glen Constantin. “Its small size played against him, but he has everything to succeed, and we will help him achieve his goals.”
With these two players drafted in the 2013 session, the Rouge et Or remained the team with the most selected by CFL teams since 2000 in the CIS with 33 athletes. Calgary and Saint Mary’s followed with 31 each.
Rouge et Or players selected CFL draft over the years:
2013:
Seydou Junior Haïdara, Quebec, catcher, second round (12th), Lions British Columbia
Yannick Morin-Plante, Drummondville, catcher, third round (25th), Calgary Stampeders
2012:
Frédéric Plesius, Laval linebacker, second round (10th), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Patrick Lavoie, Ste-Flavie, fullback, second round (11th), Montreal Alouettes
Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, Montreal, defensive end, the third round (17th), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2011:
Marc-Antoine L. Fortin, Quebec, defensive line, third round (20th), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Pascal Baillargeon, St-Anselme, offensive line, third round (21st), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Christopher Milo, Montreal, kicker, fourth round (30th), Saskatchewan Roughriders
Julian Feoli-Gudiño, San José, Costa Rica, Receiver, 5th round (38th), Toronto Argonauts
2010:
Samuel Fournier, Lacolle, running back, third round (19th), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2009:
Étienne Légaré, St-Raymond de Portneuf, defensive line, 1st round (2nd), Toronto Argonauts
Guillaume Allard-Caméus, Laval, carrying balloons, fifth round (33rd), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2008:
Laurent Lavigne-Masse, Montreal, wide receiver, fifth round (33rd), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, St-Hyacinthe, offensive line, the sixth round (48th), Montreal Alouettes
2007:
Michael Jean-Louis, Granby, defensive line, the fourth round (26th), Edmonton Eskimos
Eric Maranda, Notre-Dame-des-Pins, linebacker, fourth round (29th), Toronto Argonauts
2006:
Dominic Picard, Sainte-Foy, offensive center, third round (23rd), Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Jean-Philippe Abraham, St. Augustine, linebacker, fourth round (34th), Edmonton Eskimos
Nicolas Bisaillon, La Tuque, tailback, 5th round (42nd), Edmonton Eskimos
2005:
Miguel Robede, Val-d’Or, defensive line, 1st round (1st), Calgary Stampeders
Matthieu Proulx, Gatineau, defensive back, 1st round (5th), Montreal Alouettes
Philippe Audet, Sainte-Justine, defensive end, the second round (14th), Toronto Argonauts
Phillip Gauthier, Gatineau, defensive back, second round (16th), Montreal Alouettes
Pierre Tremblay, Quebec, offensive line, second round (17th), Lions British Columbia
2004:
Jean-Frédéric Tremblay, Boischatel, pass receiver, 1st round (7th), Toronto Argonauts
Pascal Masson, Kanesatake, defensive back, second round (16th), Calgary Stampeders
Martin Gagnon Chicoutimi, linebacker, fifth round (44th), Edmonton Eskimos
2003:
Carl Gourgues, Cap-de-la-Madeleine, offensive line, third round (24th), Lions British Columbia
Mathieu Bertrand, Chambly, quarterback, fifth round (44th), Montreal Alouettes
2002:
Alexandre Gauthier, Maria, offensive line, 1st round (1st), Ottawa Renegades
Francois Boulianne, Jonquière, offensive line, second round (15th), Saskatchewan Roughriders
2000:
Benoit Meloche, Montreal, linebacker, fourth round (24th), Toronto Argonauts
Jean-Vincent Posy-Audette, Port-au-Prince (Haiti), defensive back, sixth round 42nd), Toronto Argonauts
1999:
André Trudel, Charlesbourg, offensive line, the fourth round (29th), Toronto Argonauts
Pascal Cheron, Charlesbourg, offensive line, the sixth round (45th), Hamilton Tiger Cats
1998:
Bernard Gravel, St-Georges de Beauce, defensive, 5th round (30th), Lions British Columbia
Francesco Pepe Esposito, Brindisi (Italy), linebacker, 5th round (31st), Lions of British Columbia
With files from Mathieu Tanguay
Photo Credits: Haidara – Remy Gendron, Morin-Plante – Jean Nadeau
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