Weekly DID YOU KNOW (19): CFC 100 & McGill watches, Canucks making NFL noise

CFC INSIDER

Each week, CanadaFootballChat.com will bring you some of the fascinating stories from Canadian amateur football

We introduce to you the next weekly installment of CFC’s “Did you know”:

DID YOU KNOW (18): JANUARY 30th:

DID YOU KNOW (17): JANUARY 23RD:

DID YOU KNOW (16): JANUARY 16th:

DID YOU KNOW (15): JANUARY 9th:

DID YOU KNOW (14): DECEMBER 12th:

DID YOU KNOW (13): DECEMBER 5th:

DID YOU KNOW (12): NOVEMBER 29th:

DID YOU KNOW (11):  NOVEMBER 21st:

DID YOU KNOW (10): NOVEMBER 16th:

DID YOU KNOW (9): NOVEMBER 9TH:

DID YOU KNOW (BONUS): NOVEMBER 9TH:

DID YOU KNOW (8): NOVEMBER 1ST

DID YOU KNOW (7): OCTOBER 24th

DID YOU KNOW (6): OCTOBER 17TH

DID YOU KNOW (5): OCTOBER 10TH

DID YOU KNOW (4) – OCTOBER 3RD

DID YOU KNOW (3) – SEPTEMBER 26th

DID YOU KNOW (2) – SEPTEMBER 19th

DID YOU KNOW (1) – SEPTEMBER 12th

4) BISONS MANITOBA RECRUITING COORDINATOR:

This past week, the Manitoba Bisons announced that Greg Graceffo has been hired as Manitoba Recruiting Coordinator. Graceffo comes with an abundance of experience coaching at the community, high school and junior level in Manitoba.  He is also on the Football Manitoba Board. Among the teams he has been involved with include Winnipeg Rifles of the Prairie Football Conference (PFC) in Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL), St. Vital Mustangs and St. John’s Tigers of the Winnipeg High School Football League.

I’m very pleased to announce the addition of Greg Graceffo to the football staff with the University of Manitoba Bisons,” commented Bisons Head Coach Brian Dobie in a media release. “As a highly respected member of the Manitoba football community, Greg brings tremendous leadership, experience, and the utmost integrity as he joins our staff.”

“His friendships and insight with respect to the Manitoba football community will prove a great asset in his role as Manitoba recruiting coordinator. This added role in Bison Football will enhance our ability to identify and hopefully recruit the best young student-athletes that Manitoba produces. We welcome Greg to our staff.”

#1 through #3

Touchette

3) LATEST MCGILL HEAD COACH VACANCY RUMOURS:

While there is still no official word as to who will be the next Head Coach of the McGill Redmen, a couple of tidbits emerged this past week. On twitter, a name making the rounds was former player Denis Touchette. Recently, Touchette completed stint as Defensive Coordinator of CEGEP Division 1’s Vieux-Montreal Spartiates as well as instructed the Montreal Carabins and RSEQ Juvenile Division 1’s Notre Dame Cactus.  His gridiron acumen would make him a perfect fit for the position.

Randy-Chevrier2 (1)

Earlier this week, Journal de Quebec’s Richard Boutin reported that Randy Chevrier was approached about the position but turned it down.  Chevrier is also a former Redmen player who is still under contract with Grey Cup Champions, CFL’s Calgary Stampeders. He was drafted in 2001 by the Jacksonville Jaguars and also had previous stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnatti Bengals. Chrevrier was also involved with St. Francis Browns of the Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association (CSHSAA).

Mathieu Betts

2) CFC 100 BETTS WATCH:

Another week passed by with the watch continuing about CFC 100 Mathieu Betts.  The 6’3, 245 pound defensive end from Montreal, Quebec has received three NCAA Division 1 offers – Purdue, Temple and Buffalo).  Reports have surfaced that Betts has turned down the offer from Purdue but is still contemplating the one from Temple.  While Betts was going to wait until May to make a decision, Temple is willing to wait and they have leg room – the maximum number of players they can sign is 25 and with Wednesday’s #SigningDay, the team is at 20.

However, in a RIVALS.com article about Purdue, it is reported that Betts has declined their offer and will remain with a “top-flight program in Canada” (Laval Rouge et Or). Also earlier this morning, Journal de Quebec’s Boutin is echoing the sentiments of RIVALS.com in an article.

Vaughn Martin

1) MORE CANUCKS SIGN WITH NFL TEAMS:

In the past few days a number of Canadian players have inked contracts with NFL teams.  Vaughn Martin will be joining Laurent Duvernay-Tardif as he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.  The 6’4, 300 pound defensive end previously had brief NFL stints with both the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers.  North of the border, Martin has suited up in the past for the Western Mustangs and South London Lions of the Thames Valley Region Athletic Association (TVRAA).

Matt O'Donnell pic

Matt O’Donnell signed with week with the Cincinnatti Bengals.  The 6’11, 340 pound offensive lineman from Comox, British Columbia was previously on the Bengals practice squad back in 2011. For the past two seasons, he has suited up for the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos.  O’Donnell has previously had stints with both the Queen’s Golden Gaels as well as Holy Cross Crusaders of the Kingston Area Secondary Athletic Association (KASSAA).

HeenanPic

On very fitting on NCAA #SigningDay, Ben Heenan signed with the Indianapolis Colts.  The 6’4, 316 pound offensive lineman from Regina, Saskatchewan joins fellow Canadian Henoc  Muamba with his signing.  Heenan was the top pick of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2012 CFL Draft and played CIS football for Saskatchewan Huskies. He did win a Grey Cup with the Roughriders in 2013. Reports indicate that Heenan signed a three year deal with the Colts.

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