Pick-by-pick: Stampeders 2009 draft

(First round, eighth overall)
Eric Fraser, DB, Central Michigan University

The coaches say: “He’s a versatile, athletic player who is strong enough to play will (weak-side) linebacker and fast enough to play safety,” said Stampeders head coach/general manager John Hufnagel. “He was a three-year starter at safety for Central Michigan and has contributed on special teams. He’s coming off a broken ankle but all the reports are that he’s set to resume full training and he’ll be completely ready for school in the fall.”

Notes: Fraser, a Burnaby, B.C., product, intercepted a pair of passes in an Oct. 11, 2008 game against the Temple Owls. He recorded his first career sack against Eastern Illinois on Aug. 28, 2008. Fraser made the Academic All-Mid-American Conference team in 2008 and was named Central Michigan’s most valuable defensive back. During the 2006 season, he returned his first career college interception for a touchdown against Bowling Green. Fraser will turn 22 on May 5 and has one more season of eligibility remaining at Central Michigan.

(Second round, 16th overall)
Tristan Black, LB, Wayne State

The coaches say: “A true football player and a natural middle linebacker,” says the Stampeders coaching staff. “He shows great instincts and plays aggressively. He has shown he can play on special teams.”

Notes: Black, a six-foot-three, 243-pound linebacker, made 101 total tackles in his fourth season for Wayne State to bring his career total to 289. He also sacked four quarterbacks for a grand total of 11 in his Warriors career. He was named to the second-team conference squad for his 2008 efforts. An industrious worker, Black received the team’s Ultimate Warrior award for outstanding work in the weight room. The 25-year-old Toronto native attended Montreal’s Vanier College before enrolling at Wayne State.

Audio: Black conference call

(Third round, 24th overall)
John Hashem, OT, University of Regina

The coaches say: “A tall, rangy player who is a hard worker with great potential. He is aggressive and tenacious.”

Notes: The six-foot-seven, 310-pound Hashem is a Regina native who played university football for his hometown Regina Rams. He has started 16 consecutive games at right tackle for Regina over the past two seasons. In 2007, the work of Hashem and his offensive line colleagues allowed the Rams to lead Canada West with a 32.1 points-per-game average. In 2008, he provided solid protection for conference-leading passer Teale Orban.

(Fourth round, 28th overall, from Edmonton)
Spencer Armstrong, WR, Air Force

The coaches say: “A hard-nosed, physical player. He’s an excellent runner after the catch and has excellent potential. Very versatile with the potential to be a very good special teams player.”

Notes: Henderson is a six-foot-one, 195-pound native of Toronto whose father Roy is an officer in the Canadian Army. His 2008 season was curtailed by a leg injury but as a junior in 2007 he led Air Force wirh a 22.7-yard per catch average. He made two catches in the game against Army including a 48-yard reception for a touchdown. That seaosn, he also had an eight-yard rushing touchdown against Notre Dame.

(Fourth round, 30th overall, from Saskatchewan)
Steve Myddelton, OL, St. Francis Xavier

The coaches say: “Plays hard and aggressive and has good feet. Moves well for a big man and is very athletic.”

Notes: The six-foot-three, 295-pound native of Barrie, Ont., was a 2008 East West Bowl participant and was a nominee for the J.P. Metras Trophy, which is presented to the outstanding lineman in CIS. The 22-year-old is a former university teammate of Calgary Stampeders offensive lineman Derek Armstrong.

(Fourth round, 32nd overall)
Scott McHenry, SB, Saskatchewan

The coaches say: “Possesses a good frame and is a fluid runner. Shows an ability to make catches in traffic.”

Notes: The six-foot-two, 215-pound slotback is a product of Saskatoon. McHenry made 30 catches for the Huskies during the 2008 season, gaining 386 yards and scoring one touchdown. The season prior, he had 35 receptions for 506 yards and a couple of touchdowns. A versatile athlete, McHenry has represented Saskatchewan in baseball and basketball as well as football.

(Fifth round, 40th overall)
Osie Ukwuoma, DL, Queen’s

The coaches say: “He doesn’t turn 21 until later in May and has excellent upside. He shows very good movement and has the potential to develop into a solid interior lineman.”

Notes: Ukwuoma was born in Nigeria and grew up in Mississauga, Ont. The six-foot-two 267-pounder was the Ontario conference’s lineman of the year in 2008 after racking up 9.5 sacks and 25 total tackles. He also earned first-team all-Canadian honours in the CIS. In 2007, he was a first-team conference all-star and a second-team all-Canadian.

(Sixth round, 48th overall)
John Kanaroski, WR, Regina

The coaches say: “He’s a small, quick receiver who has return ability. He works hard and competes well.”

Notes: Kanaroski is a Calgary native who played junior football for the Calgary Colts. The five-foot-nine, 170-pounder made one start at wide receiver for the Rams in 2008 and returned kicks and punts. He averaged almost 18 yards per kickoff return. Started at slotback in the 2007 Canada West semifinal against Saskatchewan and had a total of six kick returns for 115 yards in the 2007 playoffs.

Video: Draft review
Audio: Coach Hufnagel’s comments