FOOTBALL running back Ilnicki claims Trophy

Nov. 23, 2017

HAMILTON (U SPORTS) – running back Ed Ilnicki was honoured with the as the Most Outstanding Player in Thursday night, as the national award winners were celebrated at the annual All- Canadian Gala.

Official website: www.vaniercup.com

Laval Adam Auclair was named the stand-up Defensive Player of the Year, Rouge et Or teammate was voted the Outstanding Down Lineman for the second straight season, Regina linebacker Nick Cross merited top rookie honours, Western linebacker Nick Vanin claimed the Award recognizing excellence in football, academics and citizenship, and Acadia bench boss was selected Coach of the Year for the second time in his career.

The gala held at the Hamilton Convention Centre officially kicked off the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Vanier Cup festivities, which will culminate on Saturday at , where the and are set to battle for Canadian university football supremacy starting at 1 p.m. Eastern / 10 a.m. Pacific.

Television coverage on 360, Sportsnet ONE and TVA Sports gets under way at 12:30 p.m. with half-hour pre-game shows. The 53rd U SPORTS championship game is also available online through Sportsnet NOW and TVASports.ca and on the radio at AM900 CHML in Hamilton.

HEC CRIGHTON TROPHY – ED ILNICKI (Alberta)

Ilnicki, a 5-foot-10, 220-pound running back from Spruce Grove, Alta., became only the third Golden Bears standout to claim the Hec Crighton Trophy and the first since receiver , who was honoured back in 1975. Another U of A receiver, Mel Smith, had previously captured the award in 1971.

His selection puts an end to a 10-year domination by , who had won the trophy every year since the crowning of Windsor running back in 2006.

In his fifth and final university campaign, Ilnicki, a seventh-round pick of the CFL’s REDBLACKS last May (62nd overall), set a single-season Canada West record with 1,468 yards on the ground, good for fifth on the U SPORTS all-time list. In addition to leading the country by more than 300 rushing yards, he was tops in the nation in runs (11) and carries (196) as he helped the Bears reach the post-season for the first time since 2010.

The 22-year-old concluded his five-year career as Alberta’s all-time rushing leader with 4,145 yards – the second most in Canada West history and fifth in U SPORTS annals.

In addition to being a leader on the field, the business student is a true example of what it means to be a student-athlete, as he was also the Canada West recipient of the Student-Athlete Community Service Award and the conference’s nominee for the . The four-time Academic All-Canadian became the first University of Alberta student-athlete to study at the school’s Peter Lougheed Leadership College.

“Ed embodies everything that is good about university athletics,” says head coach Chris Morris. “He is a true scholar and has been a four-time Academic All-Canadian. He’s been a dominating and relentless competitor, who in 2017 ran for more yards than anyone in Canada West history. He is a young man of impeccable character who tirelessly serves his team and community.”

Other nominees: OUA: Kurleigh Gittens Jr., Wilfrid Laurier (receiver) RSEQ: , Laval () AUS: Dale Wright, Acadia (running back)

PRESIDENTS’ TROPHY – ADAM AUCLAIR (Laval)

Auclair, who hails from Notre-Dame-des-Pins, Que., is only the second Laval player to merit the Presidents’ Trophy. Linebacker Frédéric Plesius, a five-year CFL veteran now with the Alouettes, was the first Rouge et Or to claim the honour in 2012.

Voted the RSEQ conference rookie of the year as a in 2016, the 6-foot- 2, 196-pound sophomore was moved to hybrid linebacker this season and simply dominated at his new position, racking up a team-leading 41 tackles, including 32 solo, as part of the stingiest defensive unit in the country (9.6 points per game). For the second year in a row, the physical education and health student started in each of Laval’s eight league contests.

Despite his imposing stature, the product of the Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars remains fast and extremely efficient in coverage, as reflected by his three – good for second on the team - and two pass breakups.

“I’ve had a good feeling about Adam since the start of the season because he is all over the field,” says head coach . “He grabs interceptions, breaks up passes, excels at stopping the run, he does a lot of work from sideline to sideline. He is a smart player who has a very good football IQ. For me, he was a logical choice.”

Other nominees: CW: Stavros Katsantonis, UBC (free safety) OUA: , Ottawa (halfback) AUS: Bailey Feltmate (linebacker)

J.P. METRAS TROPHY – MATHIEU BETTS (Laval)

Betts captured his third national award in as many seasons with Laval, as he had also been named the Most Outstanding Down Lineman a year ago, after claiming top rookie honours in 2015. The Montreal native became only the second player in history to earn back-to-back J.P. Metras Trophies, joining another Rouge et Or standout, current Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, who won the trophy in both 2010 and 2011.

Other previous Laval recipients include defensive lineman Étienne Légaré (2008) as well as offensive linemen (2005) and Carl Gourgues (2001).

Despite being double-teamed more often than not this season, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end still managed to lead the RSEQ conference in quarterback sacks with 5.5 in eight league games, which was good enough for 10th in the nation. The physical education and health student tallied 12.5 total tackles – including eight solo and six for losses – while breaking up six passes and recovering a pair of fumbles.

In only three university campaigns, the product of CEGEP Vieux-Montréal has already tied the school record with 26.5 career sacks and is only five shy of the conference mark set over five seasons by Queen’s Jim Aru in the mid-1990s.

“His statistics might not be as eye-popping as in past years, but it’s simply because our opponents’ game plans are very often built around him, to try and contain him,” says head coach Glen Constantin. “We saw all sorts of protection schemes to block him and, despite all that, he still led the conference in sacks. More importantly though, his domination creates more room for his teammates. He really is a special player.”

Other nominees: CW: , Alberta (offensive tackle) OUA: Kene Onyeka, Carleton (defensive end) AUS: Jadarius Ceasar, Saint Mary’s (defensive end)

PETER GORMAN TROPHY – NICK CROSS (Regina)

Cross is the first Regina player to claim the since the Rams made their U SPORTS debut in 1999.

A product of Regina’s Dr. Martin Leboldus High School, the 6-foot, 185-pound linebacker became the first Rams rookie to start a season opener directly out of high school since defensive back Jamir Walker in 2008, and never looked back.

Named the Canada West defensive player of the week in his university debut after he posted 7.5 tackles, including one sack, the kinesiology and health studies student continued his strong play throughout the regular season and finished as the team leader with 46 total tackles, 33 of them solo and three for losses, to go with one sack, a forced fumble and an .

Thanks to his stellar play, he was selected as a conference all-star and was voted to the second all-Canadian team.

“Nick is just an outstanding football player and an extremely deserving recipient of this award,” says head coach Steve Bryce. “He plays at a level that’s far above one’s expectations for a rookie in this league. He’s a high-calibre kid that is going to play this game for a long time in the future. Nick’s quickness and attention to detail while watching film sets him apart. Even in those rare instances where he makes a mistake, he’s so quick he can recover quickly and make the necessary play.”

Other nominees: OUA: Tre Ford, Waterloo (quarterback) RSEQ: Khadeem Pierre, Concordia () AUS: Liam Patton, Bishop’s (halfback)

FRANK TINDALL TROPHY – JEFF CUMMINS (Acadia)

A five-time AUS coach of the year, Cummins had previously been honoured by his peers at the national level in 2011. , in 1981, is the only other Acadia winner of the Frank Tindall Trophy since it was first presented back in 1969.

In his 15th campaign at the helm of the Axemen, the former CFL defensive lineman led his troops to a 6-2 league record and a first-place finish in the AUS standings. Acadia topped the conference in a of statistical categories on both sides of the ball, including total defence (375.5 yards per game), rushing defence (117.3) and rushing attack (208.3)

The Axemen would go on to capture the AUS banner, their fifth under Cummins.

“I absolutely could not be happier for a coach, as the national award Jeff is receiving is so incredibly deserved. His leadership and ability to guide his program without flinching, through some adversity through the season, is something I've admired and been so proud of,” says executive director of athletics Kevin Dickie. “Jeff is a leader in our Athletic Department, and has become a good friend. So many discussions with him prior to and during the season, remind me how much he’s put into making this season so successful as our head coach. I’m so happy for Jeff and his family.”

Other nominees: CW: , OUA: Chris Bertoia, Waterloo RSEQ: Glen Constantin, Laval

RUSS JACKSON AWARD – NICK VANIN (Western)

Vanin not only became the first Western student-athlete to win the Russ Jackson Award, he was also the school’s first-ever nominee for the prestigious trophy, which was first presented in 1986.

The fifth-year linebacker from London, Ont., was once again brilliant on the field this season, earning first-team OUA all-star honours for the second straight year thanks in large part to his 34 tackles in eight league games, good for second on the team.

Having already graduated from Western’s physiology program with a 91.3% average, Vanin is currently in his first year of Medical School. Putting his intelligence and passion into action, he is also a researcher at the Victoria Research Laboratories, Centre for Critical Illness Research.

His community involvement doesn’t stop there, however, as Vanin has also taken part in numerous football and sport-related activities, including the London Jr. Mustangs Football Club, Western Football Mentorship Program (which he created) and BMO Sports Day, to name a few. He has also been involved with the Women’s Community House and Sexual Assault Centre, Ronald McDonald House, and Andrew’s Legacy Fundraiser.

“Nick is a fantastic example of exactly who we want our student-athletes to be,” says head coach Greg Marshall. “Not only is he a standout player on the field, but he also excels in the classroom, managing the demands of both football and medical school and succeeding in both. Nick is also heavily involved in the community, helping with coaching youth teams, while also volunteering with a number of groups around London.”

Other nominees: CW: Ed Ilnicki, Alberta (running back) RSEQ: Joël Houle, McGill (offensive tackle) AUS: Brandon Jennings, Acadia (halfback)

ALL-TIME MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

HEC CRIGHTON TROPHY (Outstanding Player)

2017 Ed Ilnicki, Alberta, RB 2016 , Regina, QB 2015 Andrew Buckley, Calgary, QB 2014 Andrew Buckley, Calgary, QB 2013 Jordan Heather, Bishop’s, QB 2012 , McMaster, QB 2011 Billy Greene, UBC, QB 2010 , Ottawa, QB 2009 , Calgary, QB 2008 Benoît Groulx, Laval, QB 2007 Erik Glavic, Saint Mary’s, QB 2006 Daryl Stephenson, Windsor, RB 2005 , Western , REC 2004 , McMaster, RB 2003 Tommy Denison, Queen's, QB 2002 Tommy Denison, Queen's, QB 2001 Ben Chapdelaine, McMaster, QB 2000 , McMaster, RB 1999 Phil Côté, Ottawa, QB 1998 Éric Lapointe, Mount Allison, RB 1997 Mark Nohra, UBC, RB 1996 Éric Lapointe, Mount Allison, RB 1995 , Calgary, REC 1994 Bill Kubas, Wilfrid Laurier, QB 1993 Tim Tindale, Western, FB 1992 Eugene Buccigrossi, , QB 1991 Tim Tindale, Western, FB 1990 Chris Flynn, Saint Mary's, QB 1989 Chris Flynn, Saint Mary's, QB 1988 Chris Flynn, Saint Mary's, QB 1987 Jordan Gagner, UBC, QB 1986 , Western, RB 1985 Larry Mohr, Queen's, RB 1984 Phil Scarfone, McMaster, QB 1983 , Calgary, QB 1982 Rick Zmich, Ottawa, QB 1981 Dan Feraday, Toronto, QB 1980 Greg Marshall, Western, RB 1979 Scott Mallender, Windsor, QB 1978 Jamie Bone, Western, QB 1977 Bob Cameron, Acadia, QB/K 1976 Bob Stracina, Acadia, REC/K 1975 Brian Fryer, Alberta, REC 1974 Al Charuk, Acadia, FS 1973 Dave Pickett, , QB 1972 Andrew Parici, Windsor, QB 1971 Mel Smith, Alberta, REC 1970 Paul Paddon, Ottawa, QB 1969 Dave Fleiszer, McGill, FB 1968 Mike Raham, Toronto, RB 1967 , Toronto REC

PRESIDENTS’ TROPHY (Outstanding Defensive Player)

2017 Adam Auclair, Laval 2016 DJ Lalama, 2015 John Rush, 2014 Jonathan Langa, Saint Mary’s 2013 Pawel Kruba, Western 2012 Frédéric Plesius, Laval 2011 Max Caron, Concordia 2010 Henoc Muamba, StFX 2009 , Concordia 2008 Thaine Carter, Queen’s 2007 Mat Nesbitt, Regina 2006 Patrick Donovan, Concordia 2005 Patrick Donovan, Concordia 2004 Mickey Donovan, Concordia 2003 Neil McKinlay, Simon Fraser 2002 Adam MacDonald, StFX 2001 David Stipe, Bishop's 2000 Joey Mikawoz, Manitoba 1999 Mike Letendre, Saskatchewan 1998 Warren Muzika, Saskatchewan 1997 Jason Van Geel, Waterloo 1996 Derek Krete, Western 1995 Paul Frlan, StFX 1994 Cory Delaney, Waterloo 1993 Lou Tiro, Toronto 1992 Alex Eliopoulos, Saint Mary's 1991 Ray Bernard, Bishop's 1990 Randy Power, Mount Allison 1989 Mark Singer, Alberta 1988 , Bishop's 1987 Brent Lewis, Western 1986 Mark Norman, UBC 1985 Darcy Kopp, Calgary 1984 Larry Oglesby, Mount Allison 1983 Tom Timlin, Carleton 1982 Mike Emery, UBC 1981 Mike Emery, UBC 1980 Rich Payne, Wilfrid Laurier

J.P. METRAS TROPHY (Outstanding Down Lineman)

2017 Mathieu Betts, Laval 2016 Mathieu Betts, Laval 2015 , Manitoba 2014 , Ottawa 2013 Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, McGill 2012 Ben D’Aguilar, McMaster 2011 Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, Laval 2010 Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, Laval 2009 Matt Morencie, Windsor 2008 Étienne Légaré, Laval 2007 Scott Evans, Wilfrid Laurier 2006 , Waterloo 2005 Dominic Picard, Laval 2004 Troy Cunningham, Concordia 2003 Ibrahim Khan, Simon Fraser 2002 , Manitoba 2001 Carl Gourgues, Laval 2000 , McGill 1999 Tyson St. James, UBC 1998 Garret Everson, Calgary 1997 Mike Kushnir, StFX 1996 James Repesse, Saskatchewan 1995 Harry Van Hofwegen, Carleton 1994 Paul Connery, Bishop's 1993 Paul Chesser, Concordia 1992 Chris Konrad, Calgary 1991 Jason Rauhaus, Manitoba 1990 Chris Morris, Toronto 1989 Chris Gioskos, Ottawa 1988 Veron Stiliadis, Wilfrid Laurier 1987 Pierre Vercheval, Western 1986 Louie Godry, Guelph 1985 , Queen's 1984 Boyd Young, Ottawa 1983 Jim DeSilva, Carleton 1982 Peter Langford, Guelph 1981 Tony Grassa, StFX 1980 Scott McArthur, Calgary 1979 Jim Muller, Queen's 1978 Dave Willox, Alberta 1977 Dick Bakker, Queen's 1976 Gerry Inglis, Alberta 1975 Mark Pothier, Saint Mary's 1974 Bart Evans, Manitoba

PETER GORMAN TROPHY (Rookie of the Year)

2017 Nick Cross, Regina 2016 Jakob Loucks, Mount Allison 2015 Mathieu Betts, Laval 2014 Hugo Richard, Laval 2013 Daniel Vandervoort, McMaster 2012 Shaquille Johnson, McGill 2011 Tyler Varga, Western Ontario 2010 Eric Dzwilewski, Calgary 2009 , Calgary 2008 , Waterloo 2007 Liam Mahoney, Concordia 2006 Dalin Tollestrup, Calgary 2005 Martin Gagné, Montréal 2004 Kyle Williams, Bishop's 2003 Maxime Gagnier, Montréal 2002 Andy Fantuz, Western 2001 Jeremy Steeves, StFX 2000 Jean-Frédéric Tremblay, Laval 1999 Sébastien Roy, Mount Allison 1998 Kojo Aidoo, McMaster 1997 Paul Carty, StFX 1996 Jeff Johnson, York 1995 Éric Lapointe, Mount Allison 1994 Andre Arlain, StFX 1993 , Acadia 1992 Sean Reade, Western 1991 Dominic Zagari, Manitoba 1990 Bill Kubas, Wilfrid Laurier 1989 Chris Banton, Ottawa 1988 Grant Keaney, Mount Allison 1987 Dan Farthing, Saskatchewan 1986 , McGill 1985 Mark Brown, Carleton 1984 Jeff Funtasz, Alberta 1983 Paul Nastasiuk, Wilfrid Laurier 1982 Mike Fabilli, Ottawa 1981 Glenn Steele, UBC 1980 John Hutchinson, Mount Allison 1979 Joey Tynes, StFX 1978 John Lowe, Guelph 1977 Gord Goodwin, Calgary 1976 Jim Reid, Wilfrid Laurier

FRANK TINDALL TROPHY (coach of the year)

2017 Jeff Cummins, Acadia 2016 , Wilfrid Laurier 2015 Wayne Harris Jr., Calgary 2014 Kelly Jeffrey, Mount Allison 2013 Kevin Mackey, Bishop’s 2012 , McMaster 2011 Jeff Cummins, Acadia 2010 Glen Constantin, Laval 2009 Steve Sumarah, Saint Mary’s 2008 Pat Sheahan, Queen’s 2007 Frank McCrystal, Regina 2006 Denis Piché, Ottawa 2005 Glen Constantin, Laval 2004 Jerry Friesen, Alberta 2003 , Wilfrid Laurier 2002 Chuck McMann, McGill 2001 , Manitoba 2000 Greg Marshall, McMaster 1999 , Saint Mary's 1998 Larry Haylor, Western 1997 John Stevens, StFX 1996 Dan McNally, Guelph 1995 Rick Zmich, Wilfrid Laurier 1994 , Saskatchewan 1993 , Saint Mary's 1992 Ian Breck, Bishop's 1991 Rich Newbrough, Wilfrid Laurier 1990 Larry Haylor, Western 1989 Dave ‘Tuffy’ Knight, Waterloo 1988 Larry Uteck, Saint Mary's 1987 Frank Smith, UBC 1986 , Bishop's 1985 , Calgary 1984 Steve Bruno, Mount Allison 1983 Doug Hargreaves, Queen's 1982 , McMaster 1981 John Huard, Acadia 1980 Cam Innes, Ottawa 1979 Dave ‘Tuffy’ Knight, Wilfrid Laurier 1978 Frank Smith, UBC 1977 Peter Connellan, Calgary 1976 Darwin Semotiuk, Western 1975 Don Gilbert, Ottawa 1974 Ron Murphy, Toronto 1973 Ed Hilton, UPEI 1972 Dave ‘Tuffy’ Knight, Waterloo Lutheran 1971 Jim Donlevy, Alberta 1970 , Western 1969 Henry Janzen, Manitoba

RUSS JACKSON AWARD (football, academics & citizenship)

2017 Nick Vanin, Western 2016 Cam Teschuk, Manitoba 2015 Curtis Carmichael, Queen’s 2014 Andrew Buckley, Calgary 2013 Andrew Buckley, Calgary 2012 Zach Androschuk, Guelph 2011 Dillon Heap, Wilfrid Laurier 2010 Thomas Hall, Manitoba 2009 Thomas Hall, Manitoba 2008 David Hamilton, Toronto 2007 Clovis Langlois-Boucher, 2006 Naim El-Far, Ottawa 2005 Dan Parker, Mount Allison 2004 Nathan Beveridge, UBC 2003 Curt McLellan, Queen's 2002 Lincoln Blumell, Calgary 2001 Josh Alexander, Wilfrid Laurier 2000 Carlo Panaro, Alberta 1999 Carlo Panaro, Alberta 1998 Jean-Philippe Darche, McGill 1997 Sam Stetsko, Alberta 1996 Sean O'Neill, Carleton 1995 Ted MacLean, Saint Mary's 1994 Steve Papp, McGill 1993 David Sykes, Saint Mary's 1992 David Sykes, Saint Mary's 1991 J.P. Veri, McGill 1990 J.P. Veri, McGill 1989 , Queen's 1988 Andrew Allison, Mount Allison 1987 Elio Geremia, Calgary 1986 Charlie Galunic, Queen's

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