"Our program would like to congratulate Matt Stokman and Jake Nitychoruk for their selection in this year's CFL draft. These accomplishments are a culmination of years of hard work and dedication," said head coach Stan Pierre. "The commitment both players exhibited during their tenure here at the University of Manitoba has made each selection well deserved."

Stokman is the first offensive lineman to be drafted from Manitoba since 2019, when Zack Williams went 28th overall, also to Calgary. The 6'4", 315-pounder out of Vincent Massey in Winnipeg hasn't missed a start at the right guard position in three years. A versatile force, Stokman also started at left, and right tackle for Manitoba in the 2021 season. 

In 2024, Stokman helped the Herd set a school record, with 2,016 rushing yards, which also led the nation. That total broke a 29-year school best by 168 yards. He was pivotal in helping running back Breydon Stubbs lead the nation in rushing yards, with 951, as well as rushing touchdowns, with 14. The latter broke a 29-year single season program record. 

"I am beyond proud of Matt. He has worked so hard to get to this point, both on the field, and in the weight room," added offensive line coach Jeff Ready. 

"He is going to do great things with this opportunity, he truly deserves it!" 

Stokman's legacy extends far beyond the field. In the weight room, he shattered NFL veteran David Onyemata's squat record, pushing an incredible 601 pounds. He also dead lifted 661 pounds sub-maximally, according to strength and conditioning coach Cole Scheller.

"The most impressive thing about Matt is his movement skills," said Scheller. 

"He moves like a smaller guy who got blasted by a jumbo ray. He's a guy who really embraced what being a high-performance athlete is about in his first year, and has approached his career with a great attitude towards the challenging things. He's worked really hard for this opportunity and I think he's really enjoyed that process. His approach sets him up well for success at the pro level."

Nitychoruk is just the third defensive back to be selected out of Manitoba since 2008, and first since 2021, when Shae Weekes was taken 48th overall by Winnipeg. Long and rangy, the 6'4", 205-pound Grant Park product has started games each of the last four seasons at corner for Manitoba, including 11 combined in the regular season. 

A versatile force, Nitychoruk played receiver and defensive back in high school for Grant Park, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of most reliable special teams play makers in U SPORTS, a role he'll likely take on with Hamilton.

A CFL Invitational selection, Nitychoruk projects to play safety within a pro system. He's recorded 47 regular season tackles over the last four years, along with seven pass breakups, including two in three of the last four campaigns. 

"Jake is a kid who continues to work as hard on the field as he does off the field," said recruiting and special teams coordinator Sean Oleksewycz, who's previously coached Nitychoruk at the defensive back position with the Herd. 

"He will provide great special teams value. He is also a perfect fit for [Hamilton General Manager] Ted Goveia's culture."