By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Football Day in Canada
The CFL has added a little bit of grit to Canada’s 142nd birthday.
Tuesday, CFL commissioner Mark Cohon announced the 2009 league schedule that kicks off July 1 with a plethora of Canadian football rivalry action.
The official start to the campaign begins in Hamilton where the rebuilding Tiger-Cats host their provincial rivals, the Toronto Argonauts at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
Just minutes after the battle of Ontario ends, a 2008 Grey Cup rematch begins as the defending champion Stampeders begin their title defence by welcoming Marc Trestman and the Alouettes to Calgary’s McMahon Stadium, the building at which the 2009 Grey Cup will be played.
Day 2 of the CFL season features the Eskimos taking on the Blue Bombers, while football-mad Saskatchewan opens its doors to the always-dangerous BC Lions.
Some notable matchups for the Alouettes include the first visit of the Stampeders to Montreal since last November’s 96th Grey Cup in October, a home-and-home series with the BC Lions kicking off Labour Day weekend, and the Als’ home-opener against the Edmonton Eskimos in Week 2.
Every game this season will once again be aired in HD on RDS and TSN and broadcast live on the radio on CKAC SPORTS and CJAD 800 AM – with a handful of games also on the radio on 98,5 FM and CHOM 97,7 FM.
Imoh staying in Montreal
After an impressive sophomore season with the Alouettes, running back Mike Imoh has signed a one-year contract with an option year with the Alouettes, Montreal GM Jim Popp announced Wednesday.
Imoh saw the majority of his success in the backfield last season come in relief of an injured Avon Cobourne, rushing for 398 yards on 62 carries and three touchdowns.
The Virginia Tech graduate also caught 12 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown.
Dickenson retires
Dave Dickenson has called it quits.
The three-time Grey Cup champion and 2000 Most Outstanding Player announced Wednesday that he will not be returning to action for the 2009 season, ending an era in the CFL.
“Looking at my career honestly I can say very privileged, very lucky,” Dickenson said, holding back tears. “I guess it was a little bit more quality over quantity, not as many games as I would have liked, a few too many injuries, reads TSN.ca.
A victim of a handful of concussions throughout his career, Dickenson leaves the CFL with a rather impressive resume, holding league records for highest single-season completion rate, highest quarterback rating in a single season and all-time highest completion percentage.
“But I felt as far as when I was out there I got it done. But anyway before I get going on that I’m happy and appreciate all you guys and all the support we got here,” says TSN.ca.
Dickenson is 36.
