

2016, a year of hellos and goodbyes. Hello to a new era of CFL Football, from the three stripes of adidas and the moonlit skies at Toronto’s BMO Field to the star-struck newcomers who later became stars themselves. Also, the teary-eyed goodbyes. A so long to Mosaic Stadium, the heartbeat of the province of Saskatchewan and so many generations of Riders fans. Old friends turned enemies, who soon found themselves changing colours and crossing battle lines. Goodbyes from Tyron Brackenridge, Jonathan Hefney and Ben Heenan, who, among others, started life in retirement. And the most painful, agonizing farewell of all, those from Mylan Hicks and Joe McKnight, young men who left the world far too soon. Heroism. Pain. A love of the game. From sweating at those March and April mini-camps to hoisting the Grey Cup in November, these are the emotions we’re so familiar with. 2016? That was a year we won’t soon forget. Redemption was John White and Solomon Elimimian returning from the Achilles injuries that put their careers in jeopardy — and picking up right where they left off. Vindication was Henry Burris, the Most Outstanding Player, benched for Trevor Harris amid whispers he was too old and just not good enough anymore — calling out his critics and then, by the end of it all, calling his shot on the way to the top. Sorrow, the ultimate sorrow — that was the Calgary Stampeders, remembering the life of their fallen teammate in everything they did. In a year of hellos and goodbyes, we once again say goodbye. And then hello, to something new and unknown.

JANUARY WINNIPEG — JAN. 27, 2016 Weston Dressler is introduced as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the first time. After eight years wearing green, the Bombers’ blue and gold is still a strange look for No. 7. Photos: John Woods (The Canadian Press)

The late December dust hadn’t even settled when Chris Jones was back at it again.

Jones made the last big waves of 2015 when he left the Eskimos to become the head coach and general manager of the Roughriders only weeks after winning the Grey Cup. Then, weeks later, he made the first big waves of 2016.

Weston Dressler and John Chick were larger than life in Saskatchewan and on a Thursday afternoon in the second week of January, the team’s new boss announced both players had been released.

Tears across Riderville. Tears. But Jones was going to build a winner and he was going to do it his way.

On Jan. 14, Chick and Dressler were released. Dressler was a Blue Bomber 12 days later while a day after that, Chick agreed to terms with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Also in January: Juwan Simpson was released by the Calgary Stampeders, ending the middle linebacker’s eight-year tenure with the team, while former BC Lions head coach Mike Benevides was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Grey Cup Champion Edmonton Eskimos.

FEBRUARY

REGINA — FEB. 10, 2016 Chris Jones wasted no time re-shaping the Riders in his own mold, making a big splash in the first two days of free agency. Photo: Saskatchewan Roughriders

The free agent frenzy hit hard and fast when the clock struck noon eastern time on Feb. 9 as a handful of the top available names found new homes.

Trevor Harris, Andrew Harris and Justin Medlock were among stars changing area codes, while no team made bigger shockwaves on the first day of free agency than the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

While everyone expected the Winnipeg native Harris to return home, which he did, the Bombers also signed the best kicker in the CFL in Medlock along with two run-stuffing defensive tackles in Euclid Cummings and Keith Shologan and another pass-catching threat to complement Weston Dressler in Ryan Smith.

After a short reprieve, Chris Jones was back to stealing the headlines on day two of free agency when he signed Justin Capicciotti, Otha Foster, Kendial Lawrence and Ed Gainey, bolstering a young Riders team with some much-needed veteran talent.

The strangest sight of 2016 may have come when Chad Owens slipped on a black and gold Ticats jersey after walking away from the Argos, while the Montreal Alouettes were busy signing Jovon Johnson and Vaughn Martin and releasing former first overall pick Henoc Muamba.

Also in February: the CFL announced more stringent anti-doping rules for draft-eligible prospects hoping to enter the league.

MARCH TORONTO — MARCH 12, 2016 TOP: Offensive guard Philippe Gagnon put up 40 reps on the bench press, setting the third-highest mark of all time at the CFL Combine and helping him become a first round pick in May. Photos: Pawel Dwulit, CFL.ca (top); Johany Jutras, CFL.ca (middle and bottom);

With free agency settling down, Canada’s most promising amateur football players had the spotlight at the 2016 CFL Combine from March 11 to 13.

Three offensive linemen from Laval positioned themselves to become first round picks, starting with their success on the bench press where all of them recorded 20 or more reps — including Philippe Gagnon’s 40.

Felix Faubert-Lussier and 6-foot-4 receiver Brian Jones also turned heads, while regional combine invite Shaquille Johnson also continued his surge up the pre-draft rankings.

Prospects participated in three regional combines in Edmonton, Montreal and Toronto while the best were invited to the national combine days later.

Fans will be able to see even more of the combine in 2017 when CFL Week debuts in Regina.

Also in March: the Hamilton Tiger-Cats promoted Eric Tillman to general manager.

APRIL WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. — APRIL 29, 2016 TOP AND MIDDLE: The Alouettes hit the field in West Palm Beach. The first sure sign that spring is in the air comes in April when the cleats find fresh grass at mini-camp. Photos: Montreal Alouettes (top, middle); Ottawa REDBLACKS (bottom)

The CFL off-season is long and cold for players and fans, and the first sign of a thaw arrives in April.

All nine teams laced up the cleats in various capacities at different times throughout April this year, including the Montreal Alouettes (pictured above). This is when the CBA allows a window for teams to hold organized off-season activities.

While some teams use this time to get rookies up to speed, others invite their entire roster with the aim of getting a head start on the upcoming season.

April was also a busy month for retirements as former Riders first overall pick Ben Heenan called it a career along with another ex-Rider in safety Tyron Brackenridge. Lions receiver Austin Collie also said goodbye.

Also in April: Ticats offensive coordinator Tommy Condell resigned; Manitoba’s David Onyemata topped the CFL’s list of the top 20 draft eligible prospects (the final one before the draft); while the CFL and NFL partnered up to form an officiating development program.

MAY TORONTO — MAY 12, 2016 TOP: Mike Reilly displays new gear gear for the first time at a secret warehouse in Toronto. The CFL and adidas launched the new look in May. Photos: Johany Jutras, CFL.ca (top, middle); CFL.ca (bottom)

The last month on the calendar without meaningful football, May still brought plenty of importance to the CFL off-season calendar. That of course started with the 2016 CFL Draft.

Oklahoma big man Josiah St. John was the first overall pick for Chris Jones and the Saskatchewan Roughriders while three Laval offensive linemen were selected in the first nine picks — including second overall pick Philippe Gagnon to Montreal.

In a month devastated by forest fires in Fort McMurray, Alta., the CFL donated proceeds made from its new line of products launched on May 12 in Toronto while the arrival of the new adidas threads marked a new era of Canadian football.

Adding to the list of retirements in 2016, Jonathan Hefney signed with Winnipeg and retired a Blue Bomber on May 5 while on the same day, the Edmonton Eskimos and the CFL mourned the death of former offensive line coach Bill MacDermott.

Jonathon Jennings signed a contract extension with the Lions while the Alouettes may have made the biggest move, giving up a first round pick for the rights to Vernon Adams Jr. from BC’s negotiation list. The Als signed Adams Jr. days later, locking up a 23-year-old quarterback prospect for the long haul.

Also in May: the West prevailed 29-14 in the 14th annual CIS East-West Bowl; the Riders gave up a third round pick in 2017 to nab Kevin Francis in the supplemental draft; and, at long last, training camps opened up across the league on May 29.

JUNE TORONTO — JUNE 23, 2016 The wait is over; the Argos have a home. 2016 didn’t go the way the Argos hoped but new ownership and a new facility provide stability, a starting point and some momentum for football in Toronto. Photos: Adam Gagnon, CFL.ca (top); Dave Chidley, CFL.ca (middle); Johany Jutras/Argonauts.ca (bottom)

The month circled on everyone’s calendar had arrived as training camps were under way and the countdown to the regular season was on.

While players competed and waited on edge in hopes of surviving final cuts, fans eagerly awaited meaningful football. That arrived on June 23 when the Argos kicked off a brand new era of football in their city at Toronto’s beautiful BMO Field.

While the Boatmen lost their opener in disappointing fashion, off the field it was a long-awaited victory for fans, players and management alike because finally, the Argos felt at home.

Previous to that, Mitchell White and Brett Smith were among final cuts as teams looked to trim their rosters to 46 active players by June 18.

Also in June: the CFL announced a partnership with DraftKings, a world leader in daily fantasy sports, on June 20, while a day later, Eskimos quarterback Mike Reilly topped TSN’s list of the top 50 players in the CFL heading into 2016.

Above all, football was officially back.

JULY OTTAWA — JULY 8, 2016 The Ottawa REDBLACKS were on top of the football world in July, off to a 3-1-1 start and, to top it off, earning the chance to host the 105th Grey Cup. Photo: Johany Jutras, CFL.ca

With the season in full swing, July was a good month for Ottawa REDBLACKS fans, their team off to a 3-0-1 start and their offence the best in the CFL — despite injuries to Henry Burris and Trevor Harris along with the ensuing quarterback controversy.

Harris and Chris Williams caught fire and Ottawa’s offence was unstoppable, while topping it all off was the announcement on July 31 that Ottawa would host the 105th Grey Cup Championship in 2017.

With sellouts every game and football madness reaching its peak in the nation’s capital, any doubt that the City of Ottawa could support a pro football team had been put to rest.

July was also a very big month elsewhere across the CFL. S.J. Green suffered a season-ending injury for the Alouettes in Week 2 while, in the same game, Duron Carter was ejected and eventually suspended one game for an altercation on the sidelines during which he knocked over Ottawa head coach Rick Campbell.

In Riderville, frustration mounted between the Riders and Shawn Lemon when the defensive star found himself struggling for playing time. He was traded on July 2 to the Argos in exchange for Mitchell Gale and Matt Sewell.

Also in July: With Zach Collaros still recovering from the torn ACL that ended his 2015 season, Jeremiah Masoli set a CFL record with 23 straight completions while leading the Ticats back from a 25-point second-half deficit to defeat the Edmonton Eskimos in a comeback win for the ages.

AUGUST WINNIPEG — AUG. 3, 2016 While the Stamps swam and the Riders sunk, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers put together a perfect August to fight their way back into contention. Photos: Johany Jutras/CFL.ca (top); The Canadian Press (middle); Winnipeg Blue Bombers (bottom)

While the Saskatchewan Roughriders sunk, the Calgary Stampeders continued to swim as the two foes separated in the West Division standings.

The Stampeders outscored Saskatchewan 54-25 in back to back games, establishing themselves as a CFL powerhouse. The Riders, meanwhile, at 1-6, were back in the Canadian Football League basement.

The dog days of summer had arrived and they hit hard for Chris Jones, whose Riders were hit with a $60,000 fine and a salary cap deduction after a league investigation revealed multiple roster violations.

In Vancouver, Zach Collaros returned under centre for the Ticats to make his first start of the season — a loss to the BC Lions.

A quarterback controversy reached its boiling point in Ottawa, where Henry Burris called out the TSN panel prior to being benched for Trevor Harris on Aug. 21.

All the meanwhile, the Bombers were quickly becoming a contender, nudging their way back into relevance after a 1-4 start. They went perfect in August, including a rain-soaked blowout win over the Ticats on Aug. 3.

Earlier that day, the CFL and TSN announced the first ever live mic game would be broadcast between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders in Calgary.

Also in August: the Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Canadian quarterback Brandon Bridge on Aug. 10 following his release by the Montreal Alouettes.

SEPTEMBER

HAMILTON, ONT. — OCT. 1, 2016 From top to bottom: Shaquille Richardson stands in the ominous glow of Tim Hortons Field wearing Mylan Hicks’ No. 31, while Bo Levi Mitchell and Josh Bell struggle to hide their emotions. Photos: Peter Power, The Canadian Press

While the Ticats surged early in September, combining with the Argos to score a Labour Day record 85 points in a victory at Tim Hortons Field, Sept. 5 marked the beginning of the end for the Argos.

Ricky Ray suffered an injury that would sideline him most of the remainder of the season, while the Boatmen responded by trading for Drew Willy from the Bombers at the cost of defensive back T.J. Heath and a first round pick. Willy wound up starting while Toronto failed to win another game following the trade.

Another personnel move shook the football world when the Alouettes announced that Jim Popp had relinquished his duties as head coach. Popp would remain the general manager while Jacques Chapdelaine, previously an offensive assistant, was promoted in the interim.

On Sept. 25, tragedy struck when 23-year-old defensive back and Calgary Stampeder Mylan Hicks lost his life suddenly in an act of violence.

The Stamps played their first game since Hicks’ passing on Oct. 1, an emotional win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field.

Also in September: one of the greatest running backs of all time, Normie Kwong, passed away at age 86 on Sept. 3; the CFL announced that OneRepublic would play at the 104th Grey Cup halftime show; Montreal’s Justin Senior topped the CFL Scouting Bureau’s first top 20 list for the 2017 CFL Draft; Derrell Mitchell, Rodney Harding, James West, Doug Brown and Don McDonald were inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame; the Lions signed former Ticat and NFL player Terrell Sinkfield; and finally, the CFL barred Kent Austin from the sideline for one game following an incident involving an official in Week 14.

OCTOBER

REGINA — OCT. 30, 2016 While some fans mourn, others celebrate as the curtains close on Mosaic Stadium for the final time. Photos: Arthur Ward, CFL.ca (top, middle); Johany Jutras, CFL.ca (bottom)

Mosaic Stadiums, two of them, the new one and the old one, defined the month of October.

It started on Oct. 1 when the Regina Rams and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies became the first teams to christen the new Mosaic Stadium with a Saturday afternoon matchup in the future home of the Riders.

On Oct. 30, fans across the country both celebrated and mourned as the Riders played their last ever game at the old Mosaic Stadium, a landmark that has been synonymous with football in Canada for as long as anyone alive today can remember.

While October was definitely highlighted by the closing of Mosaic, lots happened in between.

On Oct. 2, after the Toronto Argonauts lost in an uninspired effort to the Montreal Alouettes, Head Coach Scott Milanovich promised changes would be made in Argoland. No one could have guessed what was next, as the Argos’ trio of star receivers in Tori Gurley, Vidal Hazelton and Kevin Elliott was released along with Phil Bates.

While all four found new homes throughout the month, the Argos weren’t the only team looking to send a message. Exactly two weeks later, the Montreal Alouettes and interim head coach Jacques Chapdelaine made similar headlines by releasing Duron Carter and Kenny Stafford.

More than a minor footnote: a couple of days after replacing Trevor Harris in an overtime loss to Saskatchewan, Henry Burris was re-named the REDBLACKS’ starting quarterback on Oct. 11. The 41-year-old didn’t look back until he was a Grey Cup Champion nearly seven weeks later.

October didn’t come without its controversy, either. While Brandon Banks and Bruce Johnson each received two-game suspensions for violating the CFL’s substance abuse policy, Jason Maas and the Edmonton Eskimos were fined for their coach’s failure to wear a mic during a live mic broadcast on TSN on Thanksgiving.

Also in October: the Riders traded star free agent signing Justin Capicciotti to the Ticats, who were also busy signing Kendial Lawrence and Argo cast-offs Kevin Elliott and Keon Raymond. Finally, the CIS unveiled a re-brand that will now see it referred to as U Sports.

NOVEMBER TORONTO — NOV. 27, 2016 TOP: The look on Henry Burris’ face says it all as the last pass falls incomplete and the Otttawa REDBLACKS are the Grey Cup Champions. Photos: Johany Jutras, CFL.ca (top and bottom), The Canadian Press (middle)

With 40,000 fans braving the elements on a work day to celebrate their team’s Grey Cup win, it no longer needed saying: Ottawa is a football town.

It took the REDBLACKS only three years to reach the top of the football world, going from 2-16 in 2014 to Grey Cup Champions in 2016. And there at the end of the road to meet them were thousands upon thousands of passionate fans to revel in the moment. They were every bit a part of it the entire way.

November is always special because it starts with six teams and so much promise and then, after four hard-fought weeks, ends with one team seeing it all through. Achieving the dream.

On Nov. 13, Jonathon Jennings painted a moment so beautiful that it would have been immortal if not for the Calgary Stampeders.

Jennings led the Lions to a 16-point second-half comeback and scored the game-winning touchdown with a minute left, pivoting BC past Winnipeg to the Western Final. A week later, however, the Lions exited the playoffs with a whimper at the hands of the powerhouse Calgary Stampeders.

In the Eastern Final, a year after painting shades of Tony Gabriel and ‘the catch’, Greg Ellingson could be seen doing snow angels after scoring in a blizzard at TD Place to put Ottawa in the Grey Cup for the second straight season.

Then, the biggest upset in Grey Cup history. The 8-9-1 REDBLACKS defeating the 15-2-1 Stampeders.

Bo Levi Mitchell earned Most Outstanding Player while the Stamps dominated the Shaw CFL Awards, but in the end it was Henry’s legacy sealed by a performance for the ages.

Also in November: the REDBLACKS and Stampeders dominated the CFL Division All-Stars, announced Nov. 9; the league announced plans for CFL Week in Regina in 2017; 46-year-old Paul McCallum came out of retirement to kick it with the Lions; and, not lost in Ottawa’s Grey Cup run, the Alouettes announced that Jim Popp will not return in 2017 after 21 years as general manager.

DECEMBER MONTREAL — DEC. 14, 2016 The Alouettes reveal a new direction for the franchise, hiring a new president as well as Kavis Reed as the general manager. Photo: Montreal Alouettes

It was a Thursday evening on the first day of December when news broke that Joe McKnight had been killed in Terrytown, La.

The shooter, who, according to reports, acted in a case of road rage, has since been arrested on manslaughter. A 28-year-old has left us far too soon.

McKnight was displaced from his home but survived Hurricane Katrina in high school, then followed the path of Reggie Bush to become the next star running back for the USC Trojans. And it looked very much like the five-star recruit was on his way to stardom in the CFL, too, having rushed for 150 yards in his Riders debut against the Argos.

The Riders will want to win for McKnight in 2017 but just like with Mylan Hicks, it’s important to first remember his story.

Like always, December was a busy month for teams and executives off the field. While Scott Milanovich and Jim Barker stayed safe amid rampant speculation about their jobs, the Alouettes’ search for a general manager culminated with a major front office shakeup as Kavis Reed was hired to be the general manager.

The Ticats, meanwhile, lost a key part of their coaching staff as Orlondo Steinauer left the CFL to take on the defensive coordinator role with Fresno State.

Adam Bighill is now a free agent, but not for reasons you’d expect. Bighill was released suddenly to pursue a shot at the NFL, but his window is limited — if he doesn’t sign down south in January, he’ll be a BC Lion once again.

Finally, two big pending free agents can be scratched off the list as Charleston Hughes and Solomon Elimimian will not be changing teams after signing extensions.

Also in December: Laval tight end Antony Auclair moved up eight spots in the second edition of the CFL Scouting Bureau Rankings while Montreal’s Justin Senior retained the top spot; with the free agent list made public, fans also learned who is without a contract beyond Feb. 14, 2017.