Contents 6 MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM PRESIDENT 7 MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD COACH 8 MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 9 EDMONTON HUSKIES GAME SCHEDULE 11 CJFL RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCE 13 OSHANE SAMUELS: STILL GOING STRONG 16 GRADUATING PLAYERS 17 PLAYER PHOTOS On the COver 24 TEAM ROSTER: NUMERICAL 20/20 Photographic has been involved with the Edmonton 25 TEAM ROSTER: ALPHABETICAL Huskies for the past thirteen seasons. A couple of years ago, we were approached by the Huskies Alumni to assist with the annual program. Over the past four or five years the program has grown in size with HUSKIES COACHING STAFF 28 contributions from past players, coaches, as well as businesses within our community. We are proud to be part of this very worthwhile project. 29 HUSKIES SUPPORT TEAM The cover this year features the long term current Huskie players that are returning for their fifth year of eligibility in 2019. Top Row (L - R) Skylar ALUMNI COMMUNITY SERVICE – THE BIG BIKE RIDE Schellenberg, Sandy Walker, Justin Hodinsky, Joel Cardinal. Bottom Row 33 (L - R) Brett Van der Korput, Morgen Runge, Head Coach Iain MacLean, Sam Clayton, Luca Cupelli. The bottom shows the 2018 team as they made their 34 ALUMNI SOCIETY PAGE entrance in Mosaic Stadium in Regina to play the Regina Thunder. A game that positioned them to host the 2018 PJFC semi-final in Commonwealth Stadium. 35 DAN BUTCHER: A BIG MAN, A BIGGER HEART Gord Mellor 38 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Owner/Operator 20/20 Photographic Inc. HUSKIES TEAMS OF THE DECADES (780) 490-8045 39 [email protected] 45 BOARDS OF DIRECTORS [TEAM & ALUMNI] 45 HUSKIE TO HUSKIE 46 SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION Design & Printing burkegroup.ca 1-800-837-1395 04 Edmonton Huskies 2019 Game Day Edmonton Huskies 2019 Game Day 05 Message from the Team President THE EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP OF OUR COACHING STAFF CONTINUES TO BRING STABILITY AND PRIDE TO OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAM Curtis Craig On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to 1979-80; and Builder 1982-86, 2017-current). The Dinner was thank all of you for joining us in supporting and cheering on the very successful with the ticket proceeds funding scholarship Huskies in the 2019 season. Without the continued support of the opportunities for Huskies’ players and a portion of the proceeds directors, coaches, support staff, alumni, sponsors, volunteers, and being directed to the Gender Based Violence Prevention Program our fans, we could not continue to provide the local community (GBVPP). with the high level of entertainment that we see from the The next Gala Dinner will be held in the Spring of 2020, when we Edmonton Huskies each week. Special thanks to the Edmonton will celebrate the next HOF class, with the proceeds again funding Eskimos for their generous support through the 50.50 at Eskimo’s scholarship opportunities for Huskies’ players. We hope our alumni, home games. sponsors and fans will continue to support this event. The success of the Huskies’ program is exemplified by the vast On the field, the Huskies have become stronger and stronger achievements of our alumni. While some enjoyed the privilege of over the past few years and 2018 saw the Huskies again finish in playing in the CFL, many have become leaders in the community. second place in the PFC with a 6-2 record. The PFC semi-final had The alumni are the backbone of the Huskies’ organization; some the Huskies host the Regina Thunder at Commonwealth Stadium have returned as directors or coaches, others loyal supporters, but and the Huskies avenged last season’s playoff loss with a thrilling all have ensured of the continued success of the program. The 39-36 overtime win. The following weekend the Huskies travelled culture of our team is one of family, respect and commitment. to Saskatoon to meet the Hilltops in the PFC final. The injury These are not just strong values to follow on a football field but riddled Huskies put up a good fight but fell to the eventual CJFL values these young men will use as they grow and become champions 28-9. We are pleased that Head Coach Iain MacLean is active members of our society. The discipline of training, learning returning with most of his coaching staff intact as their exceptional teamwork, following the leadership of coaches and captains, and leadership continues to bring stability and pride to our football learning to lose, provide invaluable lifelong skills for athletes. As the program. Iain and his experienced coaching staff have done a great legendary John Wooden stated, “Sports do not build character, they job recruiting in the off-season and we are certain that this year’s reveal it.” team will play a tough, disciplined brand of football. The return of The 2018 season brought us success on and off the field. In key veterans coupled with exciting new prospects will only bode September, the Huskies’ Hall of Fame (HOF) class was announced at well for an exciting 2019 season. Best of luck to the Edmonton the 2018 Gala Dinner. The Dinner celebrated the accomplishments Huskies and all other members of the Prairie Football Conference. of our 1962-63 National Championship Head Coach (and former We look forward to seeing our great alumni and our loyal fans at player 1956-58), Dr. Dennis Kadatz, who sadly passed away earlier games to cheer on a team with lots of promise. this year, together with the Huskies’ legendary trainer, Monty Curtis “the Merc” Ford (1954-1972), Mike Eurchuk (Builder 1967-69; 1997-current), Tom Richards (Player 1982-1983), Simeon Rottier (Player 2002-2005) and Larry Tibble (Player 1967-1969; Coach 06 Edmonton Huskies 2019 Game Day Message from the head coach WHETHER YOU ARE A FAN, PARENT, OR ALUMNI, WE COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT, ON AND OFF THE FIELD. Iain Maclean Welcome to another season of Huskies Football. This off season has been full of change, both on the roster and within the coaching staff. I am excited for what 2019 has in store for this team and thank you for being a part of it. Whether you are a fan, parent, or alumni, we could not do this without your support, on and off the field. The players have been busy getting ready for the year through team workouts, field sessions and their participation in multiple vol- unteer activities. It has been great to see this group come together. We are excited for the core group of players returning to the team and are thrilled with the new players that have come into the fold. This group has put in a tonne of time during the off season and it will be fun to watch them come together. With the leadership of our team coordinators Coaches Schwab (Offense), Marshall (Run Game/Protections), Tobert (Defence), and Modin (Special Teams), as well as all of our other great staff, I am confident that this group will be prepared and hungry this year Edmonton Huskies 2019 Game Day 07 Message from the Alumni President In a perfect world the concept of ‘family’ would understanding of what it means to be a part of the Huskies Family. have a positive connotation for everyone. I have loved the game This year is unique as I find myself stepping into a new key of football since my first crack of the pads. There is no experience leadership role within our Alumni Society. I am proud and quite like making controlled contact with a worthy opponent. The honoured to be working with such a talented and dedicated many fond memories and growth experiences I encountered with group of Board members. It is a humbling experience to be my ‘Huskies Family’ began during those Huskie Bantam Football tasked with stepping into the ‘big’ shoes of my predecessors. days when Coach Ross ‘Percy’ Bradford took me and my big Precious past memories of ‘the guys’ will soon be replaced by a brother (Dave) under his wing. He planted the first seeds of what I new brotherhood, with all the accomplishments that await the have come to embrace as the Huskie philosophy. Coach Bradford Society throughout 2019. It’s not too often that one gets a chance used the game to build character, resilience, commitment, to rekindle and further build upon the Huskie bonds which began excellence, and responsibility within each player. for me, over 45 years ago. It didn’t take much convincing to follow Dave into the city to play Best wishes to the Edmonton Huskies and the many other high school football when our respective Bantam days had drawn ‘families’ that form the Canadian Junior Football League and the to a close. The Huskies and the spectacular lure of playing football Prairie Football Conference, in 2019. May this season’s football in the River Valley was a natural progression. The seven decades of successes be part of a solid foundation for all that’s to come. Huskies rosters is embedded with plenty of evidence of the close If you would like to connect family ties that have been forged between brothers, fathers and with us, we are on Facebook sons, teammates, as the Edmonton Huskies staff, and the Football Alumni, on Twitter Edmonton Huskies’ @HuskiesAlumni, or you family. Football is can keep up to date with the medium, but the progress of the team by it’s the people I’ve subscribing to Mike’s Blog met as a player, a [[email protected]]. Board member, Enjoy the game! and my work with the Alumni Society which have been most significant Paul McCann in terms of my EMBEDDED WITHIN THE SEVEN DECADES OF HUSKIES ROSTERS IS EVIDENCE OF THE CLOSE FAMILY TIES THAT HAVE BEEN FORGED BETWEEN BROTHERS, FATHERS AND SONS, TEAMMATES, STAFF, AND THE EDMONTON HUSKIES’ FAMILY.