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May 25, 2016

Mini-Camp Opens Thursday in Kamloops

Wednesday was a Christmas-like atmosphere at the Lions training facility as first-year players arrived for physicals and equipment fitting before hopping on a bus for Kamloops in the evening. Three-day mini-camp, underway Thursday afternoon at Hillside Stadium, provides a chance for the Lions rookies to stand out early, get accustomed to the pro environment and perhaps earn a chance to stick around for the start of main camp on Sunday. It is always intriguing when you combine young Canadian prospects with a handful of American free agents signed in the off-season. Fresh off agreeing to his first pro contract earlier in the day, 2016 first-round pick Charles Vaillancourt could hardly contain his excitement upon his arrival.

“I am just going up there to play football and do what I have been doing the last ten years, ” said the former Laval standout. “These last couple of weeks have been stressful, but you have to turn that into excitement. Right now I am so excited to be here and ready to compete for camp.”

 

Vaillancourt was one of seven Lions draft picks who agreed to terms on Wednesday. The three QB’s on hand are Keith Price, Greg McGhee and UBC’s Michael O’Connor who is riding high following the T-Birds sensational Vanier Cup win last November. Price and McGhee look to be in a neck and neck battle for the third QB spot after Vernon Adams’ rights were dealt to Montreal last week. Both were also on hand for the Surrey mini-camp in April and there’s no doubt those extra reps will prove handy as main camp progresWally Buono Grey Cupses.

Included on the list of import players getting their first taste of CFL action is defensive back Davarus Shores who is jacked for an opportunity to hit the field up north. I’m excited and ready to go,” said the product of Texas A&M – Commerce. “I’ve been studying the Canadian game for the last three years and I like the way football up here is played. You can tell it’s a lot more fun.” Shores was signed by the club following his workout at the March free agent camp in Dallas.

This will also mark the first camp for Wally Buono as a head coach since he stepped away from the sidelines following the Lions’ 2011 Grey Cup victory.

“This is an exciting time to see all of these athletes we brought in and the nucleus that we will  have, ” said Buono. “One of the things we are going to try and establish right away is playing physical, hard-nosed football.”

The road to the 104th Grey Cup in Toronto may seem long and windy, but the official starting point is only a few hours away.

For a complete 2016 training camp guide, including mini-camp roster and daily schedule, click here