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“But somehow, he never got caught…”

The point Dickenson was making on Tuesday as the Stampeders hit the field for another day of training camp is that Hunchak is football savvy.

“You’re given what you’re given… some guys are going to be burners and some guys aren’t,” he added. “But he’s got toughness, good hands, and definitely understands football.

“He’s working hard and I like what I’m seeing. I’m sure he’ll have a lot of fun and we’ll see how he does in preseason.”

For Hunchak, it was a thrill to be drafted by his hometown CFL team. His grandpa Chris, dad Todd, and, soon, his two-and-a-half year old daughter Zyra will be in the stands, bringing a contingent of supporters on a daily basis.

In fact, his family is his main source of inspiration.

“That started two and a half years ago when I had my daughter,” he said. “I was looking at my grades (at York), I went to straight ‘A’s and ‘B’s after being a ‘C’ and ‘D’ student (after she was born). Subconsciously, it gave me a different level of drive and now I don’t do everything for myself — I have to support a little girl and it definitely puts me in a different mode.”

The Stampeders host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday at McMahon Stadium, which will give Hunchak the ability to show what he’s learned so far this spring — and how he is willing to make an impact.

“You get so many reps in practice and are doing stuff over and over … to put everything we’ve been doing in camp and see how it all comes together is going to be nice,” he said. “I’m just excited to compete for a job on the team, whether that be on special (teams) or the receiving corps. Whichever comes my way I’m going to take it in stride and do my best.”