Posted: Feb 06, 2013
Montreal - The Montreal Alouettes announced on Wednesday the signings of quarterback Kyle Graves, long snapper Jerod Zaleski and defensive back Dylan Hollohan. All three non-import players signed two-year deals with the club.
Graves (6'3'', 220 lbs.) attended training camp with the Alouettes last summer, learning the ropes from veteran pivot Anthony Calvillo before returning to school in the fall for his final year of CIS eligibility.
In his final season with the Acadia University Axemen, the Barrie, ON native led his team to a 7-1 record, losing only to the eventual Vanier Cup champion Laval Rouge et Or. In 2012, Graves led all Atlantic Conference quarterbacks in passing yards (2,012), touchdown passes (14) and completion percentage (57.1), while throwing only four interceptions in eight games. On his feet, Graves rushed for not only 167 yards and two TDs on 28 carries, but was also the conference's best punter with an average of 40.3 yards per kick. At this year's training camp, he will get a chance to prove himself at free safety, slotback and punter.
Zaleski (6'4'', 235 lbs.) is one of two players the Alouettes protected following the 2012 CFL Canadian Draft and rejoins the team after participating in last year's training camp. The Kelowna, BC native suited up for both preseason games, handling most of the long-snapping duties against Winnipeg on June 14, 2012 at Percival Molson Stadium. Prior to joining the Alouettes, the 23-year-old played for the Surrey Rams in junior football and spent three seasons at Simon Fraser University. In his last season with the Clan, who compete in NCAA Division II, he played as a tight end and was used mostly for his blocking skills, paving the way for one of his teammates to rush for over a 1,000 yards that year.
Hollohan (5'10'', 183 lbs.) rejoins the club following a brief stint during the Alouettes' 2012 training camp. The fourth-year engineering student who played for the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men had a solid 2011 CFL E-Camp and was named a team captain for the East squad during the 2011 CIS East-West Bowl. The Moncton, N.B. native had a breakthrough year in 2009 where he led the Atlantic Conference in interceptions with five. Last season, in seven regular season games with the X-Men, he recorded 27 defensive tackles and three pass break-ups while returning six punts for a total of 110 yards. In four seasons with the X-Men, Hollohan amassed 70 defensive tackles as well as seven interceptions, including two for touchdowns.