Riders sign two Reginans
After signing with his hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders on Monday, receiver Jade Etienne reflected on an autograph of a different nature.
“I have a signed poster of Kerry Joseph from when he won,’’ Etienne said with a smile, referencing the Roughriders’ starting quarterback — and the CFL’s most outstanding player — from their championship season of 2007.
“I was in the crowd. I was a huge fan. It’s going to be great to actually play on the field and get cheered for instead of booed.’’
The Regina-born Etienne, 24, spent his first three CFL seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before his rights were dealt to Saskatchewan on Thursday. In return, the Bombers received the rights to another looming free agent — quarterback Drew Willy, who promptly signed a two-year deal with Winnipeg.
Etienne signed with Saskatchewan one day before he could have hit the open market. The CFL’s freeagency period is to begin today at 11 a.m.
Winnipeg selected the former University of Saskatchewan Huskies and Luther Lions speedster in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2011 draft.
The 6-foot-3, 188-pounder had his best season to date in 2013, making 19 catches for 265 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games.
“I’m getting to the age where I can produce, and I already showed it last year that I can play in this league,’’ Etienne said. “To be able to showcase my talents for a team like the Roughriders, I’m more than happy to do it.’’
Like Etienne, fellow Huskies alumnus and Regina product Paul Woldu began his CFL career elsewhere before signing with the Roughriders.
Woldu, who avoided free agency by re-signing with Saskatchewan on Monday, spent his first four CFL seasons with the Montreal Alouettes. The veteran defensive back, who is noted for his excellence on special teams, first signed with the Roughriders in 2012.
What can Etienne expect as he follows a path similar to that of Woldu?
“Obviously, being a Saskatchewan kid, (Etienne) got a chance to go away like I did coming out of college,’’ said Woldu, 29. “Whatever you’ve expected or you’ve seen, it’s still not going to compare to the type of experience he’s going to have here.
“I’m excited for him and it’s going to be pretty awesome.’’
Woldu had a team-high 21 special-teams tackles for the Roughriders during the 2013 season. He is a three-time Grey Cup champion, having won it all with the 2009 and 2010 Alouettes and the 2013 Roughriders.
“After what we’ve experienced this last year, it’s the best organization arguably in sports, period, across the world,’’ Woldu said of the Roughriders. “It’s pretty amazing to re-sign here and get a chance to look forward to (winning a title) again next year.’’
The Roughriders also announced moves involving four other players on Monday.
Linebacker Diamond Ferri, defensive back Milt Collins and running back Chris Garrett were released. Fullback Graeme Bell, another former Huskies player, has retired. Bell was to become a free agent today.
■ The Roughriders’ preseason schedule is to begin June 14 with a home game — sort of — against the expansion Ottawa Redblacks.
Ottawa’s stadium, TD Place, will not be available until the regular-season home opener in July. Therefore, the Redblacks’ “home” exhibition game will be played on the road at Mosaic Stadium. Technically, the Roughriders will be the visiting team for that game.
“We’re going to have a lot of fun with this game,” Roughriders president/CEO Jim Hopson said in a media release. “The Redblacks will be on the home side of the field, introduced from their own inflatable helmet, and we’re working on a whole series of fan entertainment features to make it really seem like their home game.”
The CFL’s exhibition and regular-season schedules are expected to be announced this week.