CALGARY – Canada West announced its 2008 football all-star team Wednesday, and seven members of the University of Calgary Dinos were selected.
The seven all-star selections for the Dinos marks the team's highest total since 1998, when eight players were named all-stars.
The Canada West all-stars are selected by the coaches of the seven teams making up the football conference.
Leading the group for Calgary is running back Matt Walter. The 2007 conference rookie of the year, Walter stepped in to replace the injured Anthony Woodson, a second team All-Canadian, following Week 2 of the season. Walter responded brilliantly, taking on a significant leadership role en route to winning the conference rushing title with 904 yards. He is the Dinos' nominee for most outstanding player in Canada West.
Linebacker Andrea Bonaventura is the key defensive all-star. The third-year student out of Hamilton, Ont. led Calgary with 51 tackles in 2008, adding five tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception. Bonaventura is Calgary's nominee for the Presidents' Award, given annually to the top defensive player in CIS football.
Three other members of Calgary's dominant defence were named to the conference all-star team. Defensive end Deji Oduwole makes his first appearance on the all-conference team after a stellar season, leading the team in sacks with five and adding 31 tackles. Safety James Green racked up 29 tackles and a pair of picks, good enough for the all-star selection at his position, and fifth-year halfback Jon Waldie makes his second straight appearance on the all-star team after recording 29.5 tackles, a sack, and two interceptions. Waldie made the transition from corner to halfback midway through the season.
In addition to Walter, two other offensive players were named to the all-conference team Wednesday. Offensive tackle Dylan Steenbergen, a fourth-year humanities student from Lethbridge, makes his first appearance. Steenbergen was rated No. 8 in the CFL's list of the top 10 draft-eligible players in CIS earlier this season and anchored a very young Dinos offensive line that improved steadily over the course of the season.
Nathan Coehoorn earned an all-star selection as the team's leading wide receiver. In seven games, Coehoorn averaged 11 yards per catch on 33 receptions for 363 yards, adding two touchdowns.
Just two players were unanimous selections to the all-conference team, down from four in 2007. Alberta offensive tackle Simeon Rottier, who was rated No. 1 in the CFL's list of draft-eligible players, was picked as an all-star by all seven coaches, as was UBC defensive end Scott McCuaig. McCuaig became the all-time conference sacks leader in 2008, adding 11 on the season to bring his four-year total to 29 – shattering the old mark of 22.
The 2008 Canada West major award winners will be announced Thursday, Nov. 6 at 1:30 p.m. MT. Canada West award winners become nominees for the CIS national awards, which will be handed out in conjunction with the Desjardins Vanier Cup in Hamilton, Ont. the week leading up to Nov. 22.
Calgary (6-3) hosts Simon Fraser (6-3) for the 72nd Hardy Cup championship, presented by Calgary Co-op, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 at McMahon Stadium. Tickets are available at any Calgary Co-op customer service location, online at goDINOS.com, and at the east gate of McMahon Stadium on game day.
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2008 Canada West Football All-Stars
*denotes unanimous selection
OFFENCE
Quarterback
Teale Orban, Regina (Business Administration, 5th year – Regina, Sask.)
Running Back
Matt Walter, Calgary (Science, 2nd year – Calgary, Alta.)
Luke Derkson, Regina (Campion Arts, 5th year – Regina, Sask.)
Wide Receiver
Nathan Coehoorn, Calgary (Open Studies, 2nd year – Redcliff, Alta.)
Jordan Sisco, Regina (Campion Arts – 3rd year – Regina, Sask.)
Inside Receiver
Blaine Kruger, UBC (Arts, 1st year – Cochrane, Alta.)
Scott McHenry, Saskatchewan (Arts & Science, 4th year – Saskatoon, Sask.)
Tackle
*Simeon Rottier, Alberta (Agriculture, Life & Enviro. Science, 4th year – Westlock, Alta.)
Dylan Steenbergen, Calgary (Humanities, 4th year – Lethbridge, Alta.)
Guard
Hubert Buydens, Saskatchewan (Arts & Science, 4th year – Saskatoon, Sask.)
Nick Hutchins, Regina (Campion Arts, 4th year – Regina, Sask.)
Centre
Kurtis Stolth, Manitoba (Social Work, 4th year – Port Alberni, B.C.)
DEFENCE
Safety
James Green, Calgary (Fine Arts/Humanities, 4th year – Vernon, B.C.)
Cornerback
Jonathon Krahenbil, Saskatchewan (Commerce, 4th year – Fort Qu'Appelle, Sask.)
Anthony DesLauriers, Simon Fraser (Arts, 3rd Year - Surrey, B.C.)
Halfback
Tyler Codron, UBC (Arts, 4th year – Port Coquitlam, B.C.)
Jon Waldie, Calgary (Communications, 5th Year – Victoria, B.C.)
Linebacker
Andrea Bonaventura, Calgary (Humanities, 3rd year – Hamilton, Ont.)
Kenton Onofrychuk, Manitoba (Extended Education, 5th year – Winnipeg, Man.)
Brandon Ganne, Regina (Engineering, 4th year – Regina, Sask.)
Interior Lineman
Don Oramasionwu, Manitoba (Asper School of Business, 4th year – Winnipeg, Man.)
Tommy Buchmann, UBC (Science, 3rd year – Burnaby, B.C.)
End
*Scott McCuaig, UBC Arts, 4th year – Surrey, B.C.)
Deji Oduwole, Calgary (Humanities, 3rd year – Coquitlam, B.C.)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kick Returner
Spencer Betts, UBC (Human Kinetics, 1st year – Surrey, B.C.)
Placekicker
Shawn McIsaac, UBC (Applied Science, 5th year – Chilliwack, B.C.)
Punter
Hugh O'Neill, Alberta (Science, 2nd year – Edmonton, Alta.)
