Source: Western Mustangs Sports Information
LONDON, Ont. – While Western’s football season doesn’t open up until August 28, 12 former Mustangs will be stepping onto the gridiron early as the Canadian Football League kicks off its regular season on June 23.
Western has 12 former players listed on CFL rosters, tying for first place among all OUA schools alongside McMaster. Only Laval and Calgary were able to best the OUA leaders, with a respective 21 and 19 players listed at the start of the season.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats boast the largest purple and white contingent, with receiver Andy Fantuz, linebacker Beau Landry, and defensive back Craig Butler all returning to Steeltown for another season.
Coming in next with two players apiece are Edmonton, Toronto, and Montreal.
Fifth round draft pick Josh Woodman (DB) will suit up for his first year in the pros alongside Chris Greaves (G) in Edmonton, while former teammates Daryl Waud (DL) and Lirim Hajrullahu (K) will both don the double-blue of the Argos.
Over in Montreal, the Alouettes roster will feature the first Mustang alumni since 2011 when John Surla played in la belle province. Vaughn Martin (DT), returning after five seasons in the NFL, will break the drought alongside Sean Jamieson (OL) who is listed on the practice roster.
Jeff Keeping (C) is the sole Mustang in Winnipeg, while Shane Bergman (OL) represents Western with the Stampeders. Dylan Ainsworth also serves as the only Mustang ambassador in Saskatchewan as he returns for his third year with the Roughriders.
The first glimpses of purple and white on the field will come from the season opening June 23 matchup between Toronto and Hamilton.
Martin will get his first opportunity to play in regular season CFL action the following day, when Montreal opens up their season in Winnipeg. June 25 will be the first opportunity for Woodman to make an impact, as Edmonton hosts the Redblacks in Commonwealth Stadium. Calgary and B.C. will begin their regular season on the same day at BC Place.
While the former Mustangs begin their campaign for the Grey Cup in June, Western’s 2016 contingent kicks off their season on August 28 when they’ll host the Windsor Lancers at TD Stadium.
Mustangs on CFL rosters:
Calgary:
Shane Bergman (OL)
Edmonton:
Chris Greaves (G)
Josh Woodman (DB)
Saskatchewan:
Dylan Ainsworth (DL)
Winnipeg:
Jeff Keeping (C)
Hamilton:
Andy Fantuz (WR)
Beau Landry (LB)
Craig Butler (DB)
Toronto:
Daryl Waud (DL)
Lirim Hajrullahu (K)
Montreal:
Vaughn Martin (DT)
Sean Jamieson (OL)
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
