Danny Maciocia repeats it loud and clear: with equal talent, it is on Quebecers that he sets his sights. This will still be the watchword in the repechage next Tuesday.
Posted at 2:28 p.m.
“I can already imagine myself on Tuesday, when it will be our turn to speak to the 4and and 13and rows, people will say, “they’ll probably go local”. We are going local because we believe we have strong players here, ”said the general manager bluntly during a virtual meeting with the media on Friday morning.
According to the latest ranking from the CFL’s recruiting office, three Quebecers are among the top 20 prospects for the May 3 draft: defensive back Enock Makonzo (8and rank), wide receiver Samuel Émilius (11and rank) and offensive lineman Cyrille Hogan-Saindon (18and rank).
“The philosophy here is that we will always choose the best player. But with equal talent, we will always fish locally, reiterated Maciocia. […] I believe there is excellent talent here. There are many more young people from here who receive scholarships south of the border. »
Another aspect taken into consideration by the Montreal organization: local players are more likely to stay with the team once their entry contract has expired. This is a reality common to all markets, recalled the CEO.
“There’s something good for players about playing in your backyard, in front of your family and friends, wearing the uniform. All the players I interviewed for Tuesday have seen AC [Anthony Calvillo] player. »
“When you prepare your roster like we do now for Tuesday, those are the kind of conversation starters we have for all the players in this province. For equal talent, I think it’s much easier to keep the player here. Fans will identify with him and that’s what we’re looking for as an organization, rather than bringing in an outside player, getting him to sign an entry contract, but seeing him return home after two or three years, which is understandable. »
Significant benefit
Before joining the Birds as general manager in 2020, Danny Maciocia spent nine seasons as head coach of the Université de Montréal Carabins. Young players, he met a shovelful. And that represents a significant advantage over other teams on the circuit, he believes.
“It’s an advantage that I will probably have for a few more years,” he says. It’s big, especially for players who chose not to come [avec les Carabins] because I probably went to their living room, to their kitchen, I probably talked to their mother. I probably know their situation better than others [équipes] Across the country. »
“I think that was even more of an advantage during the two years of the pandemic, when we didn’t have the evaluation camp. I said to myself: I don’t need to see them, I have already seen them. […] The interviews we are doing right now are mostly formalities to find out where they are right now, what their short and long term goals are, how they see things going forward. »
finally normality
Once the draft is over, the Alouettes will meet on May 15, in Trois-Rivières, for the start of their training camp.
Unlike last year, things will go a little more normally. That is, the camp will be open to the public and the team will prepare to play two exhibition games. These will take place May 28 against the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton and June 3 against the Ottawa Redblacks in Montreal.
Head coach Khari Jones said he was “excited” to finally have a full training camp and to be able to “watch the youngsters” in real game situations.
“I think it’s them [les jeunes joueurs] who have been most affected by the pandemic, he said. You make a team by showing what you can do in training camp, but also during preseason games and having the opportunity to play with the lights on. It’s hard when you don’t have the chance to watch them, but now we will. »