Edmonton Sports News

A graduate of Simon Fraser University, Walters spent his first five seasons (1994-1998) as a pro with Saskatchewan. In 2001, Rick received the Tom Pate Memorial Award for his charitable work. Eskimo Head Coach Tom Higgins says "Rick's been a consummate pro on and off the field and we wish him the best."

During his brilliant 13 year CFL career (1971-’83) , Highbaugh played in 9 Grey Cups, winning 6 times and was a six time Western All-Star and four time CFL All-Star. He entered the league in 1971 with the BC Lions, but it wasn’t he joined Edmonton in 1972 that Highbaugh emerged as one of the CFL’s premier kick returners and defensive backs.

“At one point in Larry’s career he was the best kick return man in all of football. As a defensive back, he always knew the game situation and played smart, “ said Eskimo President and CEO Hugh Campbell, who coached Highbaugh from 1977 to ’82. “Larry Highbaugh was definitely one of the CFL’s all-time greats.”

Highbaugh’s 4,189 kick off return yards is second on the Eskimos all-time list, while his 118 yard TD return (vs Wpg Oct 17, 1976) and 109 yard return (vs Wpg Oct 26, 1975) remain first and second respectively in club history. Highbaugh is the only player in club history with more than one kick-off return for a touchdown (3). He also caught 80 passes for 1,364 yards and 14 TDs. Highbaugh is second on the CFL’s all-time list with 66 interceptions. In 1996, Highbaugh’s name was added to the Eskimos Wall of Honour at Commonwealth Stadium.

Coleman, who is entering his third full year with the Esks is coming off his best season as a pro with 33 defensive tackles, 6 special teams tackles, 7 pass knockdowns, 3 INTs and 1 fumble recovery. Coleman posted a season high 6 tackles Week #7 at Ottawa.

Eskimo Head Coach Tom Higgins says “Quincy really found a home at free safety last year and we hope he’ll continue his development.”

Ray was entering his option year and under the terms of the existing NFL/CFL agreement had until Sunday, February 29th to sign with an NFL team.

Eskimo President and CEO Hugh Campbell stated, “The Eskimo players and coaches take pride in helping Ricky fulfill his dream of playing in the NFL. Ricky Ray is a tremendous young man with a bright future and we wish him great success.”

Campbell continued, “The Eskimos are very fortunate to have two excellent young quarterbacks in Jason Maas and Bart Hendricks. Jason Maas has already led the Eskimos to a first place finish and was the Eskimo nominee for CFL Outstanding Player in 2001. Jason has been a team leader throughout his 4-year Eskimo career. Bart Hendricks has great credentials including leading Boise State to a league championship and bowl game victory. Bart, now entering his 3rd Eskimo season, will have a better opportunity to show his talents.”

This is Higgins’ second nomination as the CFL’s Coach of the Year, and his first win. Just a three-year veteran in the job, he has surpassed all expectations. His career record-to-date stands at 35-19-0 ( 9-9-0 , 2001; 13-5-0 , 2002; 13-5-0 , 2003), which translates into an impeccable .650 winning percentage. Coach Higgins’ team has never finished the regular season without a first place standing in the West Division and has charged to the Grey Cup in two of the past three seasons, including a Championship in 2003.

Higgins led his club to the top of a very competitive West Division. The Eskimos ended their regular season campaign with an outstanding 13-5-0 record, good enough for 2nd in the League (just behind Montreal , based on League tie-breaking procedures). The West was wild this past season, and the Division leader changed as many as five times before Edmonton secured the top spot, holding it from Week 13 through Week 19. Edmonton ’s offence tallied a League high 569 points and their defence allowed a Division low 414 points. The Green and Gold posed a mighty challenge for the opposition all season long, especially at home where they were defeated just once. Edmonton exacted their revenge on Montreal in the 2003 Grey Cup at Taylor Field when Higgins and his crew reached the CFL pinnacle. The Eskimos handed The City of Champions its first Grey Cup since 1993 with a stirring 34-22 victory.

Breaking into the CFL with Shreveport in 1994 Nash, 33 also spent time in Montreal and Winnipeg. Last year with the Bombers he recorded 41 defensive tackles, 11 special teams tackles, 2 interceptions and 4 pass knockdowns. He departs the Bombers as the club's all-time leader in pass knockdowns (27). A consistent performer, Nash was an East All-Star in 1997 and 2001, a CFL All-Star in 2001, and a West All-Star in 2002.

“We have had our eye on Harold for a while now and we are excited about what he brings to our organization. His veteran leadership and ability will add depth to our defence,” said Head Coach Tom Higgins.

-Players who remove their helmets on thhe field of play will now be assessed a 10-yard penalty.
-In past seasons any contact with a Leaague Official (accidental or otherwise) resulted in an Objectional Conduct with an Official penalty, which is a 25-yard penalty and immediate ejection of that player. Now an Official can use their discretion when dealing with a contact situation. A 25-yard penalty and an ejection can still be handed out, in the case of accidental contact however, the on-field officiating crew can now assess a 10-yard penatly against the offending player if they choose.

Another rule amendment was also tabeled, but rejected, during the meeting. It was proposed that a ball downed within the 1-yard line be placed whereever it was downed. Currently a ball downed within the 1-yard line is pushed back to the one yard line.

We're Back!!
Now that some bugs are worked out, SIE will continue regular updates from now on, thanks for sticking with us!

Matching his career-high 62 defensive tackles in 2003, Malcolm also posted 1 forced fumble, 1 interception and 6 pass knockdowns. Frank also led the Eskimo defense with 8 defensive tackles in the CFL West Final and had four more in the Grey Cup victory over Montreal .

Malcolm returned to the gridiron in 2002 after a three-year retirement and quickly re-established himself as one of the CFL’s top defenders. “Malcolm is a quiet guy who lets his play do the talking. I will sleep well at night knowing that one of the league’s best cover men will be back with us for another season,” said Eskimo Defensive Coordinator Greg Marshall. Esks.com.

In 2003, the 25 year-old Bertrand dominated on the field completing 141-of-218 passes for 2,395 yards with 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions. His outstanding play earned Mathieu his second straight Quebec conference MVP award and a Hec Crighton Trophy nomination as Canadian university football's outstanding player.

After a being drafted in the fifth round by the Montreal Alouettes in 2003, Bertrand was later released and returned to university football last fall.

“We plan to move him to receiver,” said Eskimo Head Coach Tom Higgins. “He’s an exceptional athlete we think he might be a strong contributor on special teams.” Esks.com.

In 44 career games (1997-2000) at TU, Burnette posted outstanding numbers with 170 receptions for 2,459 yards and 24 TDs. In 2000, he caught a school record 14 touchdowns and had six 100+ yard receiving games. In 1999, Burnette’s 79 catches put his him second on Tulane’s all-time list, while his 1,095 receiving yards placed him fourth on the schools’ career list. Burnette was a two time (1999-2000) All-Conference selection and team MVP.

In 2001, Burnette attended the training camps of both the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. He spent the 2003 season with the Memphis Xplorers of Arena2 Football. CFL.ca.

In 2003, the 25 year-old Bertrand dominated on the field completing 141-of-218 passes for 2,395 yards with 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions. His outstanding play earned Mathieu his second straight Quebec conference MVP award and a Hec Crighton Trophy nomination as Canadian university football's outstanding player. Bertrand highlighted the year by carrying his team to the Vanier Cup Championship held at Toronto's SkyDome on November 22, 2003. The Rouge et Or defeated the Saint Mary's Huskies 14-7.

After a being drafted in the fifth round by the Montreal Alouettes in 2003, Bertrand was later released and returned to university football last fall.

“We plan to move him to receiver,” said Eskimo Head Coach Tom Higgins. “He’s an exceptional athlete we think he might be a strong contributor on special teams.”

York suffered the fractured left index finger in the second period of the Oilers 3-1 loss at Colorado on Tuesday. The team also recalled forwards Jani Rita and Mike Bishai from the AHL's Toronto Roadrunners.

Rita is second in scoring on the Roadrunners this season with 13 goals and 18 assists in 40 games.

Bishai will be making his NHL debut with the Oilers. The Edmonton native has 11 goals and nine assists in 30 games with Toronto this season.

Pandas Basketball (8-17 overall, 4-10 Canada West)

Friday, Jan. 30
Trinity Western (1-13) vs. Alberta, 6:30 p.m. Main Gym

Sunday, Feb. 1
#7 Simon Fraser (7-7) at Alberta, noon

Golden Bears Basketball (16-5 overall, 9-5 Canada West)

Friday, Jan. 30
Trinity Western (9-5) vs. #4 Alberta, 8:15 p.m. Main Gym

Sunday, Feb. 1
#10 Simon Fraser (10-4) at Alberta, 2 p.m.

Golden Bears Hockey (28-0-1 overall, 19-0-1 Canada West)

Friday, Jan. 30
#6 Saskatchewan (13-5-4) vs. #1 Alberta, 7:30 p.m. at Clare Drake Arena (FM88-CJSR)

Saturday, Jan. 31
Saskatchewan at Alberta, 7:30 p.m. (www.anysportanytime.com)

Both games can be heard live starting 15 minutes prior to faceoff, with play-by-play by Bob Stauffer and colour commentary from Edmonton Sun writer Scott Zerr.

Conference: Away

Pandas Hockey (24-0-0 overall, 16-0-0 Canada West)

Friday, Jan. 30
#1 Alberta vs. #10 Saskatchewan (7-8-0), 7 p.m. in Saskatoon

Saturday, Jan. 31
Alberta at Saskatchewan, 7 p.m.

Pandas Volleyball (27-5 overall, 12-2 Canada West)

Friday, Jan. 30
#2 Alberta vs. Trinity Western (3-11), 7 p.m. MST at Langley, BC

Saturday, Jan. 31
Alberta at Trinity Western, 7 p.m.

Golden Bears Volleyball (25-8 overall, 11-3 Canada West)

Friday, Jan. 30
#1 Alberta vs. #9 UBC (5-9), 8 p.m. MST in Vancouver

Saturday, Jan. 31
Alberta at UBC, 8 p.m. MST

Non-Conference: Away

Golden Bears & Pandas Wrestling

Friday and Saturday (Jan. 30-31)
The #7 Alberta men and #8 women travel to Winnipeg for the Bison Invitational at the University of Manitoba.

Golden Bears & Pandas Track and Field

Saturday, Jan. 31
The #5 Alberta men and #4 women are at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg for a one-day meet.
source: http://www.bears.ualberta.ca

The Avs haven't lost in four games (3-0-1) and are fresh off of an undefeated road trip. At home, Colorado has been tough to beat -- going 14-8-2 this season.

Meanwhile, the Oilers are winless in their last three road games (0-2-1) and are 8-11-5-1 away from home this season.

Oilers coach Craig MacTavish will try to mix up his lines to get the offence going again. MacT has opted to put Adam Oates and Ryan Smyth on different lines tonight.

Smyth, who has just two goals in his last 11 games, will stay on left wing but will play with Shawn Horcoff and Fernando Pisani. Oates, who has just seven assists in 28 games, will play between Ethan Moreau and Ales Hemsky.

"They're working extremely hard and doing a lot of things well," MacT said of Oates and Smyth. "But we want to try to get some offence going and jump-start both those guys in terms of giving them different linemates."

Colorado has won two of three meetings with Edmonton this season, including a 6-1 win here on October 23. The Avalanche are 7-1-1 in their last nine home games against the Oilers.

New England Patriots struggle with wind during Super Bowl practice
HOUSTON (AP) - The Patriots didn't quite get away from the foul weather when they left New England for the Super Bowl.

Heavy wind buffeted the AFC champions' practice at Rice Stadium on Monday as they tried to prepare for Sunday's Super Bowl against the Carolina Panthers. "It would have been tough kicking into that wind today," coach Bill Belichick told a pool reporter who was allowed to witness the practice.

The one hour 45 minute session began with a walkthrough and concluded with a few field goals by Adam Vinatieri and a conditioning run, before Belichick brought the team together for a brief talk.

Every player participated in practice, including linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who hurt his leg in the conference title game against Indianapolis. The Patriots practised in helmets, windbreakers and shorts; it was still better than the single-digit temperatures and negative wind-chills in Boston.

The Super Bowl will be played in Reliant Stadium, which has a retractable roof that will be closed if the weather is bad.

SEMENOV & TORRES SELECTED AS YOUNG STARS
Two Oilers will be on the ice for the NHL's young stars game. Alexei Semenov (D) and Raffi Torres were selected to the Western Conference roster. The game will be telecast live, as part of All-Star Saturday on ESPN in the United States and on CBC andRDS in Canada, beginning at 6 p.m., MST.

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