Melfort football player learning from the Riders ahead of final junior season

Ferland chose to take his coaches’ advice and continue his football career in Regina, where he could play for the Thunder and pursue a carpentry career off the field.

However, the main selling point for Ferland was the opportunity to start for his new team and make an immediate impact.

“It was more important to have film than to play for a university and possibly be on the bench for three or four years,” he said. “I just found a lot more importance in getting that playing experience.”

Playing in Regina, the thoughts of at least being seen the Roughriders crept into Ferland’s mind. In the meantime, all he could do during his rookie year was pick the minds of veterans on the Thunder and not lose his personal standard of play during the jump from high school to junior.

“Going on the field I never wanted to lose a rep,” he said. “If I even lost one rep that was a bad game for me.”

Ferland’s goal of getting noticed by the Riders would be achieved. Thunder Head Coach Scott MacAulay landed Ferland a try out with Saskatchewan’s Canadian Football League (CFL) team before sticking around on the practice roster.

As a junior football player, Ferland doesn’t take up one of the Riders’ roster spots, and he’s still eligible to play for the Thunder unless he dresses up for his first CFL game.

After nearly a year of working out with the Riders, Ferland has a greater understanding of what will be need from him if he reaches the professional level.

“In a CFL practice they’re only allowed to have you for four and a half hours,” he said. “That isn’t nearly enough time you need to spend in the film room, weight room, and on the field working on your craft. It’s finding time to work on myself personally and not just watching film – but how to watch film.”

Ferland shouted out Regina Thunder Alumni, Grey Cup champion, and Rider veteran Dan Clark – who also spent two seasons on the practice roster – for assisting him with questions and reviewing film.

With a similar career path in front of him, Ferland doesn’t intend to lose focus ahead of his final junior season.

“My goal is to give everything I can to the Regina Thunder,” he said. “They’re the reason why I even have the shot with the Roughriders. I’m not going to take this season off; it’s going to be the best season I’ve had and I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s very tough having to know two different playbooks, but my goal is to have that on and off switch, practice, and just stay calm and collected during the season no matter how stressed I get.”

Even with a common Saskatchewan football player’s dream – to wear the Riders’ green and white – right in front of him, Ferland can’t help but look back at his MUCC playing days and be thankful.

“I don’t think Melfort realizes the talented coaches it has and how lucky we are to have that coaching staff to send guys to the next level,” he said. “These coaches we have are better than some city leagues, and that is pretty incredible coming from a small-town guy. Any young guys in Melfort or another small-town team, just listen to coaches and they’ll take you as far as you want to go.”

The Thunder begin their season on the road against the Edmonton Wildcats on Aug. 18, while the Roughriders host the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, July 6 at 8 p.m. on Saskatchewan’s new Beach Radio.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow

by Aaron Schulze

Melfort football player learning from the Riders ahead of final junior season

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