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While it seems like a gaudy comparison, the numbers reveal the truth: the Calgary Stampeders are the New England Patriots of the CFL.

“We’ll take that as a compliment,” Stampeders general manager John Hufnagel told Postmedia this week.

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“I don’t know whether it’s fair or unfair. I’m not complaining about the comparison.”

The Stampeders lead the CFL with a 10-1-1 record this season and are 25-3-2 over the last two regular seasons.

That record is nothing new for a team that is now 127-44-3 since Hufnagel joined the organization in 2008. It compares with the record Bill Belichick has as head coach of the Patriots. Since 2000, New England is 201-71, for a winning percentage of .738. The Stampeders’ winning percentage since Hufnagel’s arrival is .730.

“Obviously, I had the privilege to work for that organization for a year,” said Hufnagel, who was quarterbacks coach with the Super Bowl champion Patriots in 2003. “I know what they promote and I honestly I have tried to instil some of that in the program that I started back in 2008.”