Locals getting opportunity of a lifetime at Riders’ main camp

Training camp often provides an opportunity for some local players to hit the field with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and this year is no different.

University of Regina Rams starting quarterback Noah Pelletier and University of Saskatchewan Huskies kicker David Solie were both invited to participate in the CFL team’s main camp this season.

“I was super-excited when I heard I had an opportunity to be with the Riders,” the Regina-born Pelletier, who was invited via the CFL’s QB Internship program, said after Tuesday’s practice at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.

“I’ve been a Rider fan my whole life — my family has always had season tickets, so I’ve been to a lot of games — but when I heard I got the opportunity, I jumped right on it and haven’t been back since.”

Solie started out at rookie camp last week and was eventually told he could join the players for main camp.

“Obviously you hope you’re going to make it,” the Saskatoon product said. “I got a text on that last day (of rookie camp) that I’d be sticking around, but you’ve just got to take it day by day. You don’t take anything for granted. You make your kicks and hopefully you stick around for the long haul.

“It’s been a great opportunity,” Solie added. “Hopefully I can just learn as much as I can and be with them for a season. It’s everyone’s dream to play in that CFL, especially growing up in Canada, so if I can stick with these guys for the whole year, that’s going to be the goal.”

Both men spoke glowingly about how the first three days of camp have been.

“It’s been awesome. I’m super-grateful to have the opportunity to be out here and just be surrounded by a bunch of great athletes and guys,” said Pelletier, who started for the Rams in his first season of eligibility. “Everyone on the offensive side has been really welcoming.

“It’s been great to learn from them and I’ll have a lot to bring back when I go back to university.”

Solie said he’s excited about the competition that awaits him.

“It was a little bit lonely during rookie camp being the only specialist here, but once Brett (Lauther), Kaare (Vedvik) and Jorgen (Hus) came in, they’ve made me feel right at home,” said Solie, who played four seasons with the Huskies. “It made for a quick and easy transition and it’s been really good.”

Both of the university players say they’ve been picking the brains of veterans like Lauther and Trevor Harris.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to come to the Riders, especially with (Harris) here. Being around him, whether it’s talking to him, learning from him or just watching him from afar, is an amazing thing,” said Pelletier. “He’s a great leader and quarterback, so learning from him is going to be a big thing for me.”

Pelletier noted that while it’s a new team for Harris, he already is making his leadership known inside the locker room, weight room and classroom.

Solie said Lauther has been helping him create a good mindset when it comes to kicking field goals.

“He’s done a lot for me already and I know if I’m still with them during the season there will be a lot more to learn,” he explained. “(He’s taught me) the little nuances. Trusting your line (and) trusting what you’ve been working on for however many years you’ve been kicking is a big key component to it.

“(There has been) a lot of mental stuff (like) knowing what you do well and sticking to it. Obviously, there’s going to be little things you’ve got to get better at, but if you have a bad kick, he just says ‘One for one,’ so if you’re missing that kick, don’t worry about it. You have another kick and just go out and make that next one.”

Training Camp Day 3

The third day of Roughriders training camp saw the pads get strapped on for the first time.

The players got the message, as it was physical from the start. There were a couple of big hits at the start, which resulted in some talking between players, but no fights broke out.

Unfortunately, the physicality on one of the drills resulted in offensive lineman Jordan Tucker suffering a leg injury. Tucker stayed down for several minutes before getting back onto his feet.

After practice, head coach Craig Dickenson sounded hopeful the injury might not be as severe as initially thought.

“You hate to see it happen,” said Dickenson. “We’re optimistic. We did some preliminary stuff and we don’t know what exactly it is, but we’re optimistic that it’s not going to be too bad. We’ll know more in a day or so and see how much swelling there is.”

While there was that injury, Dickenson was pleased with the intensity he saw between the players.

“It was intense and we want that. Iron sharpens iron and it’s the truth,” he said. “We’ve got to go hard at each other to get better and I thought it was pretty good for the most part. We’ll do it again (Wednesday).”

Tevin Jones was the only receiver on the field who didn’t take any reps, and Dickenson suggested it could be a while until Jones straps the pads on again.

Dickenson said Jones is still recovering from a knee injury last season.

“He had a procedure over the off-season and he just hasn’t come back as good as we’d hoped, so we’re going to lay off him probably for most of camp,” Dickenson added.

The Riders’ training camp roster must be reduced by 10 players by midnight Tuesday.