Article content continued

The previous year, Bridge finished 92-of-138 passing (66.7 per cent) for 1,236 yards with 10 TDs and four interceptions.

Bridge also started a game for Montreal in 2015. That made him the first Canadian quarterback to do so since Giulio Caravatta of the B.C. Lions in 1996.

Calgary native Andrew Buckley spent two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders before retiring prior to last season to enter medical school.

Richard understands the scrutiny he’ll face trying to crack Montreal’s roster as a Canadian quarterback.

“If I’m able to get the chance to do something and show that Canadian quarterbacks belong in the league, then obviously it’s going to open doors for other guys,” Richard said. “That would really be a good thing.”

Richard said growing up he always dreamed about having the chance to play professional football.

“It’s been on my radar more seriously obviously since I got to college,” he said. “But I’ve always wanted to do this or at least try to do this.

“Being paid to play a sport that you love so much is a really cool thing.”

Richard believes his time at Laval has helped prepare him for the CFL, allowing him to develop from a run-first quarterback into one who can still take off when needed but also comfortably drop back and look down field.

“I think the key for me will be to stay composed, try to be sharp and really be on the ball and able to adapt really quickly if changes are made,” he said. “I think they (Alouettes) have seen everything I can do on tape.

“They just don’t really know me as a person yet. They’ll see I’m a good teammate, I try to help everyone I can, I work hard and like to put my best foot forward.”

Richard will juggle his workouts with completing his mechanical engineering internship en route to securing his degree. Once football is over, Richard plans to enter that profession full time.

“It’s going to require some discipline (combining workouts with internship),” he said. “But it’s doable.”