@
February 2, 2025

Appreciative Ajou vows to “retire as a Roughrider”

SASKATOON — Ajou Ajou can’t help but “smile, smile, smile” while expressing his appreciation for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“Words can’t explain how grateful I am,” said the 23-year-old receiver, who recently signed with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.

Ajou was selected by Roughriders Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O’Day in the seventh round of the 2024 CFL Draft.

The 6-foot-3, 218-pound Draft steal proceeded to catch 20 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games as a rookie with the Corey Mace-coached Roughriders, garnering interest from south of the border.

“Shout-out to Jeremy O’Day,” Ajou said. “Shout-out to Big Mace and all the fans.

“I came to this province and you guys welcomed me with open arms. Everywhere I go, it’s just smile, smile, smile.

“I’ll sit there and I’ll talk for 30 minutes. I don’t care who it is, because I’ve got time. You guys had time for me after I fell to the seventh round.

“I just want to give back any way I can.”

As an example, Ajou was one of the guest coaches at the Roughrider Foundation Winter Classic on Saturday at Saskatoon’s Merlis Belsher Place.

The third annual charity hockey game was a fundraiser for the Foundation’s mental health-oriented Win With Wellness Presentation Series.

Not far away from Merlis Belsher Place, Ajou took his introductory on-field steps as a Roughrider. He made his CFL training camp debut last spring at Saskatoon’s Griffiths Stadium.

This coming May, Ajou will participate in his first Organized Team Activities with the Colts. But part of his heart will remain in Saskatchewan.

“I love Rider Nation,” he said. “I bleed green.

“When it’s all said and done, if I go down south and everything happens the way it’s supposed to happen and I have a great career, I’m coming right back here.

“I’m coming right back here and I’m going to retire as a Roughrider.”

A VERY FINE 1989

The year 1989 was a very good one for Mike Sillinger and the Roughriders.

On June 17, 1989, Sillinger was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round (11th overall) of the NHL Draft. The Regina Pats legend went on to play in 1,049 NHL regular-season games.

Also in 1989, the Roughriders captured the second Grey Cup championship in franchise history.

“I look at the Pats in ’89 and we had three first-rounders,” said Sillinger, also referencing defencemen Kevin Haller (who went 14th overall to the Buffalo Sabres) and Jamie Heward (16th to the Pittsburgh Penguins).

“As well, ’89 was a great one for the Roughriders, with Roger Aldag and Bob Poley.”

It was also a memorable year for Bob Sillinger.

“My dad was a big Rider fan,” Mike Sillinger said before making his debut in the Winter Classic. “My dad has been gone for four years now, but he and (former Roughriders Equipment Manager) Norm Fong were really good buddies.

“So I texted Normie (when the Classic’s rosters were announced on Friday night) and sent him a photo. He said, ‘Hi to the guys!’

“The Riders are one of a kind — the best team in town. It’s what we have and everyone pays attention.”

It was tough not to pay attention to Sillinger during the Winter Classic. At 53, he registered two goals and four assists.

“I’ve got two fake hips,” he noted, “so I’m lucky I can still get around the ice and play a little bit.”

Sillinger, Joe Kocur and Luke Gazdic were the three former NHLers who played in the third annual Classic.

TRIVIA TIME

Dave Thomas, CKRM’s voice of the Roughriders, handled Saturday’s play-by-play over Merlis Belsher Place’s public-address system.

His commentary also included several interesting tidbits, such as one pertaining to Gazdic.

On Oct. 1, 2013, Gazdic scored his first NHL goal on his first shot of his first shift. The landmark marker, registered for the Edmonton Oilers against the Winnipeg Jets, came just 14 seconds into the introductory shift.

Gazdic’s quick goal put him in esteemed company.

On Oct. 11, 1984, the Penguins’ Mario Lemieux scored on his first shift, against the Boston Bruins.

Lemieux tallied 2:59 into the first period. Gazdic bettered Super Mario by 38 seconds, sniping at 2:21.

Gazdic was born in 1989 — a very good year (repeat).

McGEOUGH MADE HISTORY

Saturday’s game was officiated by Regina’s Luke McGeough. His late father, Mick McGeough, refereed 1,083 NHL regular-season games and received 63 assignments in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

More trivia: Mick McGeough was the last on-ice participant in an NHL game not to wear a helmet. He eschewed headgear in Game 5 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final, between the Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes.

(Carolina’s Cup-winning goalie, Saskatoon-born Cam Ward, is a huge Roughriders fan.)

McGeough — a life-long supporter of the Roughriders — began wearing a helmet for the 2006-07 season, his second-last in the NHL.

His daughter, Karlie McGeough, is a former marketing communications associate with the Roughrider Foundation. She helped to organize the first two Winter Classics.

Karlie McGeough is now a social media officer with the Regina Police Service.