The Edmonton Wildcats kicked off the 2010 season with exhibition games at Clarke Park yesterday, Saturday August 14th at Noon with a healthy crowd on hand of about 800 people. The first game saw the Edmonton Wildcats take on their cross town rivals the Edmonton Huskies. They played a mini game of two quarters with the Wildcats coming out on top 23 – 14. The Huskies got on the board first with Kevin Francis intercepting an Adam Senuik pass and running it back 62 yds, with Kevin Allen finishing it off with a 1 yd run for a touchdown and the first major of the contest. Later in the first quarter the Wildcats answered back with an Adam Senuik 45yd dart to Mitch Richter. Justin McEvoy sealing the deal with a 3yd run for a touchdown to tie it at 7 -7 ending the first Quarter. The second quarter saw another toss to Richter for 21yds and a touchdown to go on top 14-7. The Huskies gave up a 2 point safety on the next series to up the Wildcats’ lead to 16-7. The Cats kept the momentum going with a 4yd TD run by rookie running back Anthony Myroon to make the score 23-7. Late in the 2nd Quarter the Huskies scored off a fumble recovery but the defense held strong late in the game to close it out, with the final score 23 -14 for the Cats.

The second game saw the Wildcats taking on the Calgary Colts. The Wildcats came out sluggish after a lengthy wait from the second game against the Huskies and the Colts. The Wildcat defense held the Colts to a 1-0 score in the first quarter but the Cats couldn’t get on track and the Colts took advantage of that in the Second Quarter racking up 4 TD’s to end the game 28 -2.

The regular season will commence on Sunday August 22nd with the Wildcats hosting the Regina Prairie Thunder at Clarke Park at 1:00pm.

All Edmonton Wildcat practices are at Rundle Park and the players take to the field at around 7:30 pm nightly
-30-

Stuart Gibson
Edmonton Wildcats Media Coordinator
media@edmontonwildcats.com
Phone (780) 718-3447 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (780) 718-3447      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (780) 718-3447      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
www.edmontonwildcats.com

The Wildcats kicked off their 2010 main training camp this past Wednesday at Rundle Park with a solid core of veterans and an eager and spirited group of rookies in attendance. The Wildcats are coming off a very successful 2009 campaign, going all the way to the National Championship game in Nanaimo BC taking on the Vancouver Island Raiders of the BCFC. They fell short of taking the Championship, but are determined more than ever to carry on the success from 2009 and to get back to the National Championship which will be hosted this year by the winner of the Prairie Football Conference.

The Wildcats are looking forward to the return of many key veterans. Wide Receiver Jerit Lambert will be back for his 2nd year with the squad having set team records in several categories and picking up PFC & CJFL Rookie of the year honors in 2009. Rory Connop and Gabriel David will anchor the defense again this year, with Mike Podloski and Steven Rae establishing their presence in the secondary. Steven Giang will be a force on the D line again this year with a new face on the O Line in Scott Ledieu coming over from the U of A to shore up the offensive front 5. With the departure of QB Andy Pilon, having had a successful 5 year career with the Cats, QB Adam Senik is in position to take over the helm at the pivot position this season.

Practice times for the week and weekend are as follows:
Thursday, August 5 – 7:00 – 9:30 pm
Friday, August 6 – 7:00 – 9:30 pm
Saturday, August 7 – 9:30 am – noon and 1:00pm – 3:00 pm
Sunday, August 8 – 10:00 am – 12:00 and 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Please call for any further details as the times above could change slightly.

The Cats will be hosting the preseason games this year against the Calgary Colts and the Edmonton Huskies at Clarke Park on Saturday August 14th starting at Noon, with the first game between the Huskies and the Wildcats. The second game starts at 1:15pm with the, Calgary Colts vs Edmonton Huskies and the third and final game at 2:30pm sees the Calgary Colts square off against the Wildcats. A BBQ will follow after the final game.

Former Edmonton Wildcat Corbin Sharun who was named to the Edmonton Eskimos practice roster at the being of the regular season will dress on special teams for tomorrow’s game against the Montreal Alouettes. Game time is at 5:00pm.

The Edmonton Wildcats kicked of the Edmonton Eskimos 2010 preseason with their 50/50 volunteer campaign which includes tickets to the Grey Cup being held in Edmonton this year. There was a great turnout of Wildcat volunteers numbering 20 plus with a crowd on hand of over 33000 in attendance at the Eskmimo first preseason game of the season. The Wildcat volunteers will be at every home game selling 50/50 tickets this year in support of Junior Football in Edmonton. Come out and help support Junior Football in the City of Champions.

[Update]: The Edmonton Eskimos announced Tuesday that they have signed Corbin to a 3 year contract with an option for a 4th year. Congrats Corbin. In Today’s CFL Draft, Edmonton Wildcat Corbin Sharun was selected in the 6th round by The Edmonton Eskimos. Congratulations goes out to Corbin and his family and best of luck in the Eskimos up coming training camp next month.

[UPDATE: Wildcat Corbin Sharun selected in the 2010 CFL Draft by the Edmonton Eskimos.]

The CFL has just released the final draft rankings and one of our own, Corbin Sharun has been ranked number 2 among Linebackers in the up coming CFL draft which is to be aired this Sunday May 2nd starting at 10 am on TSN. Other notables saw former Wildcats Dan Schutte, Nick Ternovatsky, JM Jones and Cale Inglis all crack the top 5 in their positions. Congratulations to all and good luck this weekend.

Returning Players/Vets Only: are to register and pick up equipment on Mon. May 3 6:00 – 8:00PM at Rundle; Registration for Vets also taken on May 5th at Clarke but Vets equipment draw is only on May 3rd at Rundle.
Invited Recruits: if you are unable to get equipment from your high school (preferred) the equipment draw is Tuesday May 4th 6:30pm – 7:30pm at Rundle; a $400 equipment deposit (refundable) is required.
NO EQUIPMENT WILL BE ISSUED AT CLARKE

Spring Try-Out Camp (Returning Players and Recruits):
Held at Clarke Stadium, located adjacent, South, of Commonwealth Stadium.
Fee: $50.00.
Wednesday May 5, 6:30pm – 9:00pm (Registration & Team Meetings)
Thursday May 6, 7:30pm – 9:30pm (On Field Practice)
Friday May 7, 6:30pm – 9:00pm (On Field Practice)
Saturday May 8, 9:00am – 4:00pm (9:00 – 11:30 On Field Practice; Noon BBQ Lunch; 1:00 – 3:30 Scrimmage)
(camp wear: Helmets & Shoulder Pads; New Recruits, you are responsible for bringing your own; please check with your high school, they usually are very good about lending equipment for our camps. If you do not have access to equipment please let us know in advance)

You can register on site on May 5th or to pre-register send your $50.00 cheque, made payable to Edmonton Wildcats Football Club, to the Attention of:
Edmonton Wildcats Football Club
Attt: Al Park, General Manager
c/o 10736 45 St NW
Edmonton, AB T6A 1X7

If you have any questions concerning pre-registration please contact Al Park, GM, at admin@edmontonwildcats.com

The Edmonton Wildcats are excited to announce its coaching staff for the 2010 season. Following a very successful 2009 season that saw the Wildcats make it to the Canadian Bowl, Head Coach Gary Durchik returns along with some key returning coaches and a revamped coaching structure to take full advantage of the team’s talent.

Returning coaches include Assistant Head Coach Darcy Park, who will also coach the Defensive Line and Special Teams. Vince Baraniecz will move to Offensive Passing Coordinator and Quarterback Coach, and Greg High returns as the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach. Coach Durchik will also add Quarterback Coach to his responsibilities.

Joining the Wildcats coaching staff are Ryan Branting – Receiver Coach, Tristan Jones – Running Backs Coach, Darek Graff – Offensive Line Coach and Nolan Garriock Defensive Back Coach

The success of the Wildcats over the last five years has enabled parting coaching staff to accept new coaching assignments in the CIS and the core continuity in coaches ensures that these new coaches, who were selected from a long list of quality candidates showing interest from across the country, will carry on the winning tradition and ensure further player development.

Coach Tristan Jones a former Wildcat, a CJFL record holder in many categories,
along with being an All Canadian and All Conference All-star as a running back, comings to the coach staff with knowledge of the game, the ability to work with younger players and knowing what it takes to win, is a great addition to the team. Tristan also brings CIS experience after playing with the University of St Mary’s this past season.

Coach Darek Graff, also a former Wildcat, brings CIS experience playing with the University of Calgary Dinos and the University of Alberta Golden Bears. Darek was the only O-Lineman to every win the King of the Cats competition with the Wildcats two years in a row and brings intensity, knowledge and enthusiasm of the game to the team.

Coach Ryan Branting played for the Edmonton Wildcats for three seasons and was named All Canadian and All Conference Receiver in 2000. Ryan also brings CIS experience as a receiver, having played for the UBC Thunderbirds and the University of Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks. After his CIS career, Ryan became a Head Strength and conditioning coach in Australia before returning to Canada as a receivers coach for Bellrose High School. Ryan brings a wealth or knowledge and coaching ability to the team and will be a great addition to the Wildcats coaching staff.

Coach Nolan Garriock, a former player with the Edmonton Wildcats in the 2002-2004 seasons as a DB and special team’s player, also brings CIS experience playing with the University of Alberta Golden Bears in 2001. Nolan continued his football career south of the border attending Dickenson State University before returning back to Canada to coach at St Albert High as a DB and Special Teams Coach. Nolan’s skill and knowledge of the DB and Special team’s positions will be a welcome addition to the Wildcats coaching team.

The Wildcats are also pleased to retain on staff, CJFL all time points record holder in a five year career, Ryan Elaschuk, who will be working with the Kicker/Punters until he is called back to duty with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL.

Head Coach Durchik sums it up this way “ We are fortunate to be able to combine over 60 years of valuable experience together with youthful enthusiasm to create a coaching staff that will take full advantage of the excellent talent that this team will have in 2010”. Durchik adds, “I’m excited to watch this coaching staff continue the Wildcats winning ways”.

-30-

Stuart Gibson
Edmonton Wildcats Media Coordinator
media@edmontonwildcats.com
Phone (780) 718-3447 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (780) 718-3447      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
www.edmontonwildcats.com

Congratulations to Andrew Carefoot for being selected as the recipient of the Edmonton Eskimo Alumni Association Jackie Parker Memorial Scholarship for the 2009/2010 school term. This scholarship is made available through the efforts of the members of the Edmonton Eskimo Alumni Association (EEAA) which has as one of its chief mandates to assist amateur football in the northern Alberta region. In addition to the scholarships, the EEAA has also provided the score boards at Clarke Park, Coronation Park and Johnny Bright Park, along with the 20 second clocks, in Edmonton and has contributed to the scoreboard at the new football field in St. Albert as well as providing financial assistance to minor football teams in metro-Edmonton. This announcement was made by Eskimo Alumni Larry Wruck who serves as the President of the Edmonton Eskimo Alumni Association and Chairman of the Community & Scholarship Funds.