When he's not slinging footballs, Ottawa RedBlacks quarterback Henry Burris is pretty happy being a hockey dad -- just sitting in the stands and watching his kids, Armand (Leitrim Novice House League A) and Barron (Learn-to-skate program).

"I'm not really a snow and ice guy yet, but the kids are truly Canadian," said Burris. "Neither my wife (Nicole) or I know much about hockey, but the kids are loving it. As long as they're doing what they want to do and are having a good time, I'm happy."

Not to say the 39-year-old Burris isn't thinking about football these days. After a season he'd likely rather forget -- his personal statistics and the team's 2-16 record fell far short of expectations -- the addition of receiver Maurice Price a bit more than a week ago was a big deal for Burris, who gets a proven target to throw to.

"I've seen (Price) grow since he came into the league in 2009 (on the Calgary Stampeders practice roster). I told him if he kept his head on his shoulders, he could make a difference. He's learned from some of the best -- Jermaine Copeland, Nik Lewis and Ken-Yon Rambo. That's a pretty good bunch of guys to be learning from.

"Trust me, I was truly excited when I found out we made the trade. We're losing two great players, but we're getting somebody who is one of the best in the league."

Burris is most interested in being part of a more competitive team (and we talk about competitive, we're not talking about sticking close ... it's all about winning). He took a bit of a paycut for the 2015 season, with some of that money being frontloaded into 2014 to save the RedBlacks some salary cap room. It's money they hope to use to make a splash when CFL free agency opens at noon on Feb. 10.

"My main focus is winning," said Burris. "I want to make sure we can make a big-time run at some of these players who are going to be available. I actually went to them and said, 'Let's bring these players in.' Going into last year, putting a bunch of guys together, we thought we had the parts to be able to compete and win games. Now we know where we have to improve, whereas last year we had no idea."

Burris has other things on the go. He's got a football camp scheduled for May 2-3 for kids from Grade 8-12. It will be a passing academy for quarterbacks, running backs and receivers. It'll be about more than skills, with topics like nutrition, speed, strength and conditioning.

He's also got an eye on the future, putting together a resume to try and break into the local broadcasting scene.

"Everywhere I've played, I've had an opportunity to work for a local TV or radio station in the off-season," said Burris. "My degree is in broadcasting and communication. It's something I've always wanted to do once I found out to be an orthopedic surgeon, you had to be in college until you were 32 and I didn't want to be doing that. Sports has been my life, I know it inside and out. Wherever I start, I'm going to have to work my way back up again."

BURRIS' SUPER BOWL PREDICTION

RedBlacks QB Henry Burris says: Patriots 26, Seahawks 16. New England is the best all-around team. Seattle is the defending world champion for a reason - their defence is amazing - but look at the Patriots. They have players that can take over the game. You can take advantage of Seattle if you can get matchups with their linebackers."

ADDING FOUR MORE

The RedBlacks added four players on Wednesday: receivers Skyy Simmons and Michael Campbell, defensive lineman Cory Henry and linebacker John Kanongata'a.

THE END GAME

There's no question the RedBlacks will throw plenty of money at free-agent slotback S.J. Green (Montreal). But here's a scenario for you: The Saskatchewan Roughriders have made an offer to free-agent-to-be Weston Dressler. If he turns them down and hits free agency, will the Green Riders pursue Green? And if they get him, will the RedBlacks go after Dressler? ... One free-agent name that's been attached to the RedBlacks: Brad Sinopoli, the former star Ottawa Gee-Gees quarterback who made the successful switch to receiver in Calgary. He's coming off a broken collarbone. He would probably get more playing time in Ottawa.

FREE-AGENT WATCH

TYLER HOLMES

The 6-foot-4, 305-lb., 26-year-old offensive lineman has strong Ottawa roots. He went to Merivale High School and also played football locally for the Nepean Redskins and Myers Riders. His dad, Richard Holmes, played for the Rough Riders, scoring 11 touchdowns as a running back in 1977. Holmes, who played five seasons at the University of Tulsa, signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2012 and spent the entire season on the club's practice squad. He attended the Vikings' training camp in 2013 before signing with the Argonauts, who played him at guard. In a 2011 draft-day deal, the Argos sent Saskatchewan a second-round pick, 12th overall, (S Craig Butler) and a fourth-round pick, 27th overall, (OL Alexander Krausnick-Groh) in exchange for the seventh pick (Holmes).

DRAFT PEEK

Here's a look at the latest Top 10 rankings by the CFL Scouting Bureau. Two of the players - Alex Mateas (Ottawa) and Danny Groulx (Gatineau) - have local connections.

1. Brett Boyko, OL, UNLV

2. Alex Mateas, OL, UConn

Mateas, a 6-foot-4, 300-lb centre at the University of Connecticut, started 29 games for the Huskies. Along with being the CFL's second-ranked prospect, there's also a chance he gets an NFL look. "Any team that picks me up, NFL or CFL, I'm going to be ecstatic," said the 23-year-old, Mateas, who lined up for the Myers Riders, Cumberland Panthers and Ottawa Sooners and went to Merivale High School. His dad Traian co-founded the Capital United soccer club.

3. Daryl Waud, DL, Western

4. Tyler Varga, RB, Yale

5. Nic Demski, WR, Manitoba

6. Sean McEwen, OL, Calgary

7. Sukh Chung, OL, Calgary

8. Danny Groulx, OL, Laval

9. Addison Richards, WR, Regina

10. Jacob Ruby, OL, Richmond

Twitter: @timcbaines