MUCC alumni Logan Ferland signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders shortly after concluding his fifth and final year of junior football with the Regina Thunder (Facebook/Regina Thunder Football Club).

By Aaron Schulze

Year in Review

Sports Year in Review: Melfort’s Logan Ferland signs with the Riders

Dec 27, 2019 | 3:26 PM

northeastNOW is taking a look back at the biggest and most interesting sports stories of 2019, as selected by our sports reporters Mat Barrett and Aaron Schulze:

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Logan Ferland’s expectations for himself ahead of 2019 were high.

The 22-year-old offensive lineman and Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate alumni concluded his fifth and final season of junior football with the Regina Thunder in 2019.

One of his goals was to be named the Prairie Football Conference’s (PFC) Outstanding Offensive Lineman and a Canadian Junior Football League Offensive All-Canadian, which he accomplished in October and November respectively.

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“At this point in my career, as cocky as it sounds, I was kind of expecting it,” Ferland told northeastNOW. “I felt I had a really good season and looking across the league I felt like I was one of the more dominant linemen this year. It was definitely an honour to get, but I was pretty hopeful and confident I would receive it.”

Following the end of Ferland’s junior football – the Thunder’s 20-17 PFC post-season semi-final defeat at home on Oct. 20 against the Edmonton Huskies – he only had a few moments to take it all in before setting his sights elsewhere.

Ferland had been on the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ practice roster for over a full calendar year. He wanted to work out hard during the final weeks of the Canadian Football League (CFL) season to impress the coaching staff and management

With his accolades and effort over the 2019 season, the Riders didn’t wait long to keep Ferland in their system, signing him to their main roster.

“I’m feeling very excited,” he said. “It’s been a heck of a long journey and it’s a big weight off my shoulders. But at the same time the journey is just beginning. It’s exciting and I’m looking forward to the future.”

Along with his family and friends being ecstatic over his signing with Saskatchewan’s football team, Ferland said some of his fellow offensive lineman – from Dan Clark to Brendon LaBatte – extended their congratulations. He noted how happy they were to see him sticking around in the green and white.

In terms of his off-season training regime, Ferland noted he’ll have access to film, the Riders’ facilities, and his teammates’ advice to use whenever he needs.

With the CFL’s free agency period set for Feb. 11, Ferland feels the Riders can stay as a top three team in the league and improve on their Western Final finish if they can retain most of their roster. He’s unsure where exactly he’ll fit on the 2020 team, but he’s setting his goals high.

“I don’t really look at it as different opportunities I’ll be given. I try to find that most challenging spot and fight for that spot,” he said. “A reach for the moon and you’ll land in the stars type thing. I have some goals in mind that keep me motivated, I set those very high, and just go for those and hope for the best.”

What could be the most challenging aspect of Ferland’s transition to becoming a full-time Rider is ensuring all his loved ones get their fix of tickets.

“Well, it depends on how many I can get free or can snag from the Riders or other players,” Ferland said with a laugh. “Maybe use my words and try to talk my way through that. I’ll need at least 10 for sure.”

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow