The 2008 Canadian Football League (CFL) season begins on June 26 with the Manitoba Bisons football team contributing numerous alumni throughout the league. There are eight former Bisons on active CFL rosters and three Bisons on practice roster (plus two former Bisons as a CFL coach) for the start of the 2008 season.
Overall, the Bisons have players in seven of the eight teams in the league with one of the most representation of players from any CIS team. The Calgary Stampeders have the most Bison alumni with two players while the Winnipeg Blue Bombers has one former Bisons (plus one former Bison coach) each on their 46 person lineup.
The newest Bisons addition to an active CFL roster occurred when 2007 Canada West Outstanding Lineman of the Year Justin Cooper made the Edmonton Eskimos lineup. Three other players from the 2007 Vanier Cup champion squad were also placed on CFL practice roster – Brady Browne and Justin Shaw with B.C. Lions and Ryan Karhut with the Montreal Alouettes.
“We are always proud to see the impact of Bison Football with the emergence of so many former Bisons playing professionally,” stated Bison football head coach
Brian Dobie. “We want to congratulate both Justin Cooper and the other three players from last season's Vanier Cup championship in earning their first CFL active and practice roster appearance.”
Former Bisons Currently Playing Professional Football (as of June 25/08)
(OL) Lorne Plante - B.C. Lions
(WR) Markus Howell - Calgary Stampeders
(S) Wes Lysack - Calgary Stampeders
(DL) Justin Cooper - Edmonton Eskimos
(LB) Cory Huclack - Montreal Alouettes
(K) Jamie Boreham - Saskatchewan Roughriders
(DB) Chris Hardy - Toronto Argonauts
(OL) Matt Sheridan - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
(DB) Brady Browne - B.C. Lions (practice roster)
(DL) Justin Shaw - B.C. Lions (practice roster)
(OL) Ryan Karhut - Montreal Alouettes (practice roster)
Bobby Dyce - Winnipeg Blue Bombers (coach)
Dave Easley - Hamilton Tiger-Cats (coach)
Israel Idonije - Chicago Bears (NFL)
