Team Canada adds 9 players including Haji-Rasouli and Adriano Belli (video)

Football Canada announced some big name Canadian football players including lineman Sherko Haji-Rasouli and Adriano Belli as additions to the Senior Men’s National team, representing Canada for the first time at the IFAF Senior World Championships.

No doubt, Belli will be the best lineman in the tournament. The new 9 include players from 4 provinces and brings the total provinces represented up to 6. Team Canada opens the tournament against France, coached by Canadian Larry Legault. Training camp opens this Saturday at the University of Western Ontario. The team flies to Austria the following Saturday. Here are the rest of the players announced today.

Lirim Hajrullahu (K/P)

He will be serving as the teams kicker / punter and it his second time representing Canada on the world stage. Lirim was apart of the silver medal winning squad at the 2009 IFAF Junior World championship where he was named to the all-tournament 2nd team. He now plays at the University of Western Ontario where he helped the Mustangs clinch a 26 to 25 road victory in the Yates cup.

Joel Lipinski (DB)

The Regina native played 9 games in the CFL in 2009 with the Saskatchwan Roughriders after signing as a undrafted rookie. Lipinski attended Saint Mary’s where he was named MVP and Atlantic University Sport (AUS) all star in 2008. He also played for the University of Regina Rams from 2004 to 2006 earning Canada West all-star and second team all-canadian in 2005.

Alex Daprato (DB)

Daprato helped Queen’s University win the 2009 Vanier Cup recording 21 solo and 9 assisted tackles

Peter Carriere (DB)

The hard-hitting university of Montreal Carabins recorded 15.5 tackles, 1 sack and recovered 3 fumbles for the Carabins in 2010.

Troy Adams (DB)

Is a defensive back from Toronto, ON who finished his senior season at Northeastern State University (Div2) where he registered 32 solo and 9 assisted tackles along with 1 interception in 11 games with the Riverhawks.

Steve Faoro (LB)

A native of Port Moody, BC and graduate of Acadia university, Steve currently plays for the Fairbanks Grizzlies of the Indoor Football League. He has experience with both the Hamilton Tiger Cats and BC Lions. Faoro was a two-time AUS defensive player of the year, and a three time conference all star and set a new school record in his 4-year career with over 200 tackles.

Alexandre Poirier (REC)

Alexandre was a 1st team all-canadian with the Sherbrooke vert et or in 2010 catching 57 football for 760 yards.

Sherko Haji-Rasouli

A native of Iran, who grew up in Toronto, Haji-Rasouli spend 8 years in the CFL, 6 with the BC Lions. The six foot six 326 pounder and former University of Miami star played in 92 regular season games and earned a Grey Cup ring in 2007.

Adrianno Belli

A 2001 first round pick of the BC Lions, Belli spent 10 seasons in the CFL. He amassed 213 career tackles, 28 sacks, and was twice an East Division all star and league all star in 2005. He warned a Grey Cup ring with the Als in 2002.

Troy Adams DB Toronto, ON
Adriano Belli DL Toronto, ON
Peter Carrière LB/ S Laval, QC
Alex Daprato DB/LB Toronto, ON
Steve Faoro LB Port Moody, B.C.
Sherko Haji-Rasouli OL Toronto, ON
Lirim Hajrullahu P/ K St. Catherines, ON
Joel Lipinski DB/ C Regina, SK
Alexandre Poirier REC Victoriaville, QC

Picture courtesy: Proplayers.ca

Game Schedule

Friday, July 8 – Innsbruck
USA vs. Australia

Germany vs. Mexico

Saturday, July 9 – Graz
Austria vs. Japan

France vs. Canada

Sunday, July 10 – Innsbruck
Mexico vs. Australia

Germany vs. USA

Monday, July 11 – Graz
Japan vs. France

Canada vs. Austria

Tuesday, July 12 – Innsbruck
Australia vs. Germany

USA vs. Mexico

Wednesday, July 13 – Graz
Austria vs. France

Canada vs. Japan

Friday, July 15 – Vienna
Bronze Medal Game

Fifth Place Game

Saturday, July 16 – Vienna
Gold Medal Game

Seventh Place Game