Vedvik once again learning new culture at CFL rookie camp

Kaare Vedvik isn’t a stranger to new lands.

“I took a trip to Nigeria when I was 16 and I really enjoyed being abroad. It was a different culture in Nigeria compared to Norway, it’s a different way of living and the social aspect of how people interact inspired me to wonder what living abroad would be like,” the Norwegian-born punter said Thursday as the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ rookie camp continued at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.

When it came down to where he wanted to visit next, sports played a role in his choice.

“I chose the U.S. over places like Australia mainly because you have sports incorporated into school and I always loved sports and wanted to keep doing sports,” Vedvik said.

“The U.S. is so different and it varies so much from state to state. It’s like every state is its own nation. Much like in Europe, we have Denmark, Sweden and Norway and we speak similar languages. They originate from each other in a way and our cultures are kind of similar but there is a lot of different aspects to each individual country and that’s how I feel about the U.S. too.”

And now he finds himself in Canada as he continues his career as a pro football player.

Vedvik, who joined the Riders on Oct. 10, became the CFL team’s starting punter just weeks later after Jon Ryan suffered a foot injury in an Oct. 23 game against the Calgary Stampeders.

Vedvik started the next six games, which included two playoff games, and averaged 46 yards a punt.

He has been impressing head coach Craig Dickenson with how he came into rookie camp.

“Physically, he looks like he has been lifting and training and running. He’s a highly motivated player — he wants to be great, not just good. I think the sky’s the limit for Kaare,” Dickenson said.

Much like moving between countries, Vedvik moved between sports and positions in his youth.

Growing up in Stavanger, Vedvik played soccer. But as a fan of all sports, he dipped his toes into other sports, including hockey.

But when he came to the U.S., he decided to give football a try and originally was placed at wide receiver. However, his team needed a new kicker and the coaches recalled Vedvik played a lot of soccer back home.

“I was reluctant at first. I wanted to score the touchdowns and everything but after a while I was kicking that thing and everyone was like, ‘Wow, you have a leg,’ ” Vedvik said.

That leg would be what would end up taking him to the next level, as he became a kicker at Marshall University.

While there, he once punted the ball 92 yards using a kick he learned from watching Australian rules football.

“I hit it like 65 (yards) in the air and it took like a 27-yard bounce. We almost got it down on the one-yard line,” Vedvik said.

After his time at Marshall, Vedvik signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Vedvik hopped around for the next few years, spending time with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars before signing with the Riders.

And now he’s getting used to another new culture as well.

“When I came to Canada, I got the impression it was like a mix between Europe and the U.S., a more similar government style to Europe and Norway than to the U.S. but then it also has some of that free-market economy,” Vedvik said.

Dickenson focusing on getting rookies ready for when vets arrive

Things picked up a bit on Day 2 of rookie camp with players feeling more comfortable after getting acclimated on Day 1.

While there were some one-on-one drills, those aren’t the main focus for Dickenson at this juncture.

“We’re trying to install our system and get them familiar with the drills and the terminology we use,” he said.

“We do have to evaluate the rookies because we are going to have to make some cuts, but we feel like we also want to give the guys a little bit of our offence, a little bit of our defence and special teams so when the vets come, they have a better chance to compete with the vets.”

While he isn’t picking out single players just yet, Dickenson said the defensive backs had a good showing Thursday.

“They’ve got good energy and that’s something we’ve talked about as a team. We want good body language and we want positive people out there,” Dickenson said.

He also liked the way the offensive line group performed, saying the defensive line looked good Wednesday.

Things will get a bit more exciting on the field Friday as the team straps on the pads.

“We will heat it up a little bit (Friday) and let them be a little bit more physical in the drill work and a little more physical in what we do,” Dickenson said.

There are a couple spots available for the rookies to try and prove they belong.

There will be new starters in the defensive backfield with Loucheiz Purifoy (B.C. Lions) and Ed Gainey (Edmonton Elks) leaving in the off-season, at running back after William Powell signed with the Ottawa Redblacks, and at receiver after Brayden Lenius signed with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and 2021 second-round pick Terrell Jana retired.

“We need to find a couple of good ones. Our offence is not the easiest offence to run so we need guys who are smart and also very explosive and can make plays with the ball in their hands. It’s going to be important for a few rookies (to separate) themselves,” Dickenson said.

Things could also be a bit tougher for the players Friday with rain in the forecast. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, according to Dickenson.

“It’s not bad because it will test them a little bit mentally …,” he said. “We will see who is out here on time or if anyone is walking in a little late because they don’t want to be out here. It’s good to see that before the vets come in.”

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Steve Seto