By Mitchell Blair
For Riderville.com
Saskatchewan Roughriders President and CEO Jim Hopson may have spoiled the drama for everyone by making the selection five hours early, but Ben Heenan didn’t mind one bit.
The offensive lineman from the University of Saskatchewan was one of approximately 1900 people attending the “Dogs Breakfast” which is the major fundraiser for Huskie Athletics. He was more than thrilled to take centre stage and hear Hopson announce that he would be the first player taken in the 2012 CFL draft by the Riders.
“It was overwhelming to have that experience in front of family, friends and teammates,” Heenan said just a couple of hours after the pick was officially made. “It was something I’ll never forget.”
There had been some debate leading up to the draft as to which way the football team would lean with some believing that perhaps Wilfrid Laurier wide receiver Shamawd Chambers might be the guy. In the end, general manager Brendan Taman believed he had no choice but to take the player they thought was the best and that was Heenan.
“You always have to weigh the fact of ability and need at position and he just outweighed the categories we were looking at,” Taman said. “He was the best player on the board and that’s what we felt we wanted to do.”
As for what role and what position on the line Heenan will play, Taman says there is a plan in place.
“He’ll come into camp as a guard, but he will get some reps at tackle and maybe even center,” Taman said. “I think right now though he will focus in on guard because it’s a little easier transition for him. With Coach (Kris) Sweet here though, he’ll learn a lot from him and he’ll get a lot of experience which is good.”
The pressure of having to perform and prove he is capable of being the number one pick is a challenge the 6 foot 4, 310 pound Heenan is more than willing to embrace.
“I’ve always said no one expects more of myself than me. I’m looking to go out there and play to the best of my ability and we will see where that takes me. I’m going to come into camp and push whoever is in front of me and just keep going. If that means I am a starter than so be it.”
While Heenan was the marquee attraction on Thursday, the Riders also drafted three other players that they hope can make some kind of impact in the future. After striking a deal with the Calgary Stampeders, the team took University of Calgary linebacker Sam Hurl in the 2nd round (12th overall). They followed that up by taking a pair of players from the University of Sherbrooke—linebacker Kevin Regimbald-Gagne (5th round—35th overall) and receiver Ismael Bamba (6th round—39th overall). Taman believes Hurl is a guy that can really contribute immediately on special teams, as is Regimbald-Gagne. As for Bamba, there is a thought from the Rider GM that perhaps he could be the steal of this year’s draft class.
With the draft now over, there are just a few weeks left before the 2012 season starts in earnest. Rookie camp gets underway May 30th with main camp following immediately after. The Riders first pre-season game is June 13th in Vancouver with the home exhibition game going June 22nd against Calgary.
