Posted: May 15, 2009
At the professional league’s annual amateur draft May 2, two members of the blue-and-white heard their names called.
The Calgary Stampeders selected offensive lineman Steve Myddelton in the fourth round. The fourth-year senior was the thirtieth overall selection.
Four picks later, the Toronto Argonauts picked offensive lineman Gordie Sawler of Dartmouth.
“It feels amazing to be given this opportunity. It’s a dream I’ve had my whole life. I never thought I would ever have a chance like this and I plan to give it my all and become a starter in the CFL,” Sawler said in an email interview.
X-Men head coach Gary Waterman said the two draft picks have drawn a lot of attention from their new teams. “It is a tremendous accomplishment for both young men,” he said.
Waterman said the Stampeders are excited about Myddelton’s run-blocking ability. “They think he is a terrific athlete who has a great upside.
“They also love his football IQ,” Waterman added.
“Upside” is a term the Argonauts are also using when describing Sawler. “They really like his punch in pass blocking,” Waterman said, noting the 6’4” senior’s athleticism caught Toronto’s attention.
A third veteran X-Men offensive lineman did not hear his name called on draft day, but it was not long before Christian Oberegger’s phone rang.
“The feeling is almost surreal for me. On draft day my emotions were like a rollercoaster ride,” the fourth-year X-Man said.
He added about 10 minutes or so after the draft, he received a call from the offensive line coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“We had a nice conversation which ended up with him saying that they wanted to sign me as a free agent. Needless to say I was fired up; it was nice because I got to share the experience with my family and friends,” Oberegger said.
Waterman said Oberegger’s “overall strength” impressed Winnipeg officials. “He really impressed them in the weight room.”
Oberegger’s combination of size and quickness appealed to the Blue Bombers. “They were struck by his athleticism,” Waterman said.
The post-CFL draft news continued for the X-Men with four players receiving training camp invitations from the Montreal Alouettes, including receiver Jeremy Marchand, linebacker Dave Skillen, defensive end Yahia Dalloul and cornerback Kwasi Nkansah.
Waterman said Marchand will finally receive a well-deserved shot at the professional ranks.
“We are so happy for him. Sometimes you have to look beyond the numbers and realize that someone is a great football player and should get a chance,” the X-Men mentor said, noting Marchand’s ability as a long snapper will be beneficial.
Waterman described Skillen as a “heck of an athlete."
“He has huge upside and that’s what I think Montreal realized.”
Dalloul, a former Halifax West Warrior, will bring “high energy” to the Alouettes camp, according to Waterman. “He has a great motor and he is tremendously athletic. He is all over the field.”
Waterman said Nkansah offers strength and speed to the Montreal team. “He is an outstanding athlete,” the X coach added.
Although these professional opportunities may mean some of the X-Men eligible to play in Antigonish next season will not return, Waterman said the entire program is excited.
“That’s the goal (pro football) and we are ecstatic for them. Replacing them will be difficult, but that’s why you recruit and develop players on an ongoing basis.”
Story courtesy Corey LeBlanc, The Casket newspaper