Former East Side Eagle Brad Mikoluff had a memorable, albeit shortened, rookie season in professional football.

As I wrote over the winter, Mikoluff, the Kildonan East alum who began playing football with the East Side Eagles, signed a contract with the Mexican Football League’s Monterrey Fundidores. The opportunity came thanks to a partnership between the Canadian Football League and the Mexican Liga de Football Americano Profesional which saw each Mexican team include two Canadians on their rosters.

It was a different game down in Mexico, Mikoluff explained. It was American rules, so the field was smaller and there was one less player. That suited Mikoluff just fine, as he said it led to some crunching hits, which he has been known to make from time to time over the years. American kickers kick extra points and field goals off the ground, too, and he had to adjust to that. Things worked out well, as he nailed three of four field goals and six of eight extra points to help the Fundidores to a 3-2 record.

That was before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the league and forced Mikoluff to come home sooner than he planned. It’s too bad, as he said he had a blast.

"I had a great time down there," Mikoluff said. "It was nice to learn a different game."

Mikoluff said his teammates were great and he made some friendships he hopes will last. Then there were the fans, who followed him on social media and asked for his autograph on the street.

While his ultimate goal is to play in the CFL, Mikoluff said the Fundidores want him to return whenever play resumes, whether that be this year or next. It’s nice to have a solid option in a profession with so few openings.

Mikoluff is also a candidate for the Canadian Junior Football League’s all-decade team, one of only three kickers from across Canada to earn the honour.

Visit surveymonkey.com/r/CJFLAllDecadeTeam to vote for Mikuloff, along with Transcona’s Derek Yachison, who also made the list courtesy of his work in the BCFL.

Tony Zerucha is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email him at tzerucha@gmail.com

Former East Side Eagle Brad Mikoluff had a memorable, albeit shortened, rookie season in professional football.

As I wrote over the winter, Mikoluff, the Kildonan-East alum who began playing football with the East Side Eagles, signed a contract with the Mexican Football League’s Monterrey Fundidores. The opportunity came thanks to a partnership between the Canadian Football League and the Mexican Liga de Football Americano Profesional which saw each Mexican team include two Canadians on their rosters.

It was a different game down in Mexico, Mikoluff explained. It was American rules, so the field was smaller and there was one less player. That suited Mikoluff just fine, as he said it led to some crunching hits, which he has been known to make from time to time over the years. American kickers kick extra points and field goals off the ground, too, and he had to adjust to that.

Things worked out well, as he nailed three of four field goals and six of eight extra points to help the Fundidores to a 3-2 record.

That was before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the league and forced Mikoluff to come home sooner than he planned. It’s too bad, as he said he had a blast.

"I had a great time down there," Mikoluff said. "It was nice to learn a different game."

Mikoluff said his teammates were great and he made some friendships he hopes will last. Then there were the fans, who followed him on social media and asked for his autograph on the street.While his ultimate goal is to play in the CFL, Mikoluff said the Fundidores want him to return whenever play resumes, whether that be this year or next. It’s nice to have a solid option in a profession with so few openings.

Mikoluff is also a candidate for the Canadian Junior Football League’s all-decade team, one of only three kickers from across Canada to earn the honour. Visit surveymonkey.com/r/CJFLAllDecadeTeam to vote for Mikuloff, along with Transcona’s Derek Yachison, who also made the list courtesy of his work in the BCFL.

Tony Zerucha is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email him at tzerucha@gmail.com