//DATE: May 2, 2009
//For Immediate Release
//Complete draft results available at www.cfl.ca

Five Rams taken in 2009 CFL Canadian Draft

University of Regina Rams cornerback Tamon George and right guard Nick Hutchins were both selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2009 CFL Canadian Draft on Saturday, while right tackle John Hashem and wide receiver John Kanaroski went to the Calgary Stampeders and defensive end Stan Van Sichem was taken by the Montreal Alouettes.

With five players selected, the U of R had the most players taken of any CIS school.

George was the first Ram to be selected after the Roughriders grabbed him with the first pick of the second round (9th overall). He saw his stock rise after a strong showing at the CFL's evaluation camp in early March, as he jumped up to No. 8 in the CFL Scouting Bureau's ranking of draft-eligible CIS prospects. He finished tied for third among all prospects at the evaluation camp with a 37-inch vertical jump and finished fourth with a time of 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash. George was credited with 18.5 tackles and two pass breakups during the 2008 regular season.

Hutchins, 6'2" and 315 lbs., was taken by the Roughriders with the first pick of the third round (17th overall). He started all nine games for the Rams last year at right guard and was named a 2008 Canada West all-star. Hutchins was a key part of the offensive line that helped quarterback Teale Orban lead the conference in both passing yards and touchdown passes.

The selection of George and Hutchins by Saskatchewan gives the Roughriders six University of Regina players in the past seven drafts.

Hashem, who at 6'7" is the tallest player on the Rams and weighs in at 310 lbs., was selected by the Calgary Stampeders with the final pick of the third round (24th overall). A starter at right tackle for the past two seasons, Hashem redshirted for the Rams during the 2005 season and still has two years of CIS eligibility remaining.

Van Sichem, a 6'2", 235 lb. defensive end, was taken by the Montreal Alouettes with the first pick of the fourth round (25th overall). He was ranked No. 15 among CIS prospects by the CFL Scouting Bureau earlier this week after finishing in second place with a vertical jump of 37.5 inches at the evaluation camp and running the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds. With a season of CIS eligibility still remaining, Van Sichem already stands as the school's all-time leader with 13 career sacks.

Kanaroski is a versatile 5'10", 165 lb. wide receiver that was mainly utilized as a punt returner last season. He returned 20 punts for a total of 80 yards, including a season-best 20-yard return against Saskatchewan on Sept. 6. He also has experience under centre, and is actually participating in this weekend's spring camp with the Rams at quarterback.

Since joining the CIS in 1999, the Rams have had 19 players drafted by CFL teams.

University of Regina Rams in the CFL Canadian Draft
* 2009 (2/9) Tamon George, Saskatchewan
* 2009 (3/17) Nick Hutchins, Saskatchewan
* 2009 (3/24) John Hashem, Calgary
* 2009 (4/25) Stan Van Sichem, Montreal
* 2009 (6/48) John Kanaroski, Calgary
2008 (1/6) Brendon LaBatte, Winnipeg
2008 (6/41) Teale Orban, Saskatchewan
2007 (1/1) Chris Bauman, Hamilton
2007 (4/28) Ryan Ackerman, Saskatchewan
2007 (5/33) Chris Getzlaf, Hamilton
2005 (4/27) Kyler Jukes, Calgary
2004 (3/18) Sean Kent, Hamilton
2004 (3/24) Jon Ryan, Winnipeg
2004 (5/41) Craig Zimmer, Saskatchewan
2003 (3/22) Todd Krenbrink, Winnipeg
2003 (5/40) Michael Thomas, Saskatchewan
2003 (5/42) Cory Olynick, Winnipeg
2002 (1/4) Jason Clermont, British Columbia
2001 (5/38) Jeff Zimmer, Calgary