Three Huskies named to Team Canada
University of Saskatchewan Huskie football players Bryce McCall and David Rybinski, as well as alumnus David Stevens have been named to the Senior Men’s National Team, competing at the 2011 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Senior Men’s World Championship in Austria, July 8 - 16.
By University Communications
The Huskies scrimmage during spring training camp
Photo by Liam Richards
The three are part of a partial roster announced by Football Canada Wednesday that includes 18 players hailing from six different provinces: seven from Ontario, four from Quebec, three from Saskatchewan, two from Alberta, and one each from British Columbia and New Brunswick.
"I'm very excited to represent Canada and compete with some of the best football players in the world," said McCall, who is currently at the East-West Bowl. "This is an excellent opportunity for me."
McCall, a safety, was named a Canada West All-Star and a CIS First Team All-Canadian in 2010 with 26.5 tackles and four interceptions for the Huskies, while Rybinski finished the 2010 season with 16 tackles and two sacks on the defensive line.
David Stevens played running back for the Huskies from 2001 to 2005. Stevens sits fourth on the Huskies all-time rushing list with 2,276 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was named a Canada West All-Star and CIS First Team All-Canadian in 2005 after recording 1,229 yards in the season, and was drafted to the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2006 in the fifth round, 36th overall.
The coaching staff of Team Canada is lead by former University of Western Ontario coach Larry Haylor, the winningest head coach in CIS history with a career record of 178 wins, 47 losses and four ties. Defensive coordinator Blake Nill (University of Calgary) and offensive coordinator Greg Marshall (Western) are targeting mid-May to name a final group of players to the roster. The Huskies' head coach Brian Towriss is also part of the coaching staff.
Football Canada is holding a final identification camp May 7 in London, ON, prior to the CIS East-West Bowl, which will include former Huskie defensive lineman Brian Guebert. A training camp will be held at The University of Western Ontario starting on June 24th as the team prepares for Austria. For more information on the Canadian National Team please visit www.footballcanada2011.com
Find out more at the Huskie Athletics website