Calgary Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel is pleased to announce that non-import kicker Rene Paredes has signed a contract extension. As per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Paredes originally signed with the Stamps on July 4, 2011. When starting kicker Rob Maver went down with injury, Paredes won the job to replace him and had a memorable 2011.

His first kick was a successful 50-yarder in his first game against the BC Lions on July 8. Paredes made 35 of 48 attempted field goals and finished fifth in the CFL in kicking points with 158. He started 17 regular-season games for the Stamps, along with the West Division semifinal against Edmonton.

“Rene has the perfect demeanour and confidence needed to be a successful professional kicker,” said Hufnagel. “He showed his talent and ability last season and we want him to challenge for that starting spot again this upcoming season.”

Paredes spent 2005-08 with the Concordia Stingers of the Quebec University Football League. He was among the top three kickers in CIS in each of his last two seasons at Concordia. In 2007, Paredes led the CIS with a field-goal percentage of 88.2 as he made 15 of 17 attempts and was a Quebec league all-star.

Paredes, who was born in Venezuela but grew up in Pierrefonds, Que., attended CEGEP at John Abbott College and went to Felix Varela Senior High in Miami, Fla.

“It has been a whirlwind year for me and I’m thrilled that this ride continues,” said Paredes. “Thanks to the Stampeders for giving me the opportunity and I look forward to being with the team from the start of training camp this season.”

Meanwhile, the Stamps have also come to terms with non-import punter Scott Crough of Ballarat, Australia. Crough will attend Stamps training camp in June and, if he sticks with the team, he would become one of the first Aussies to ever play in the CFL.

Crough joins the Stamps after having tryouts last season with the NFL’s New York Giants and Green Bay Packers. He is a former member of the Bungaree Demons of the Central Highlands Football League (Australian rules football) and was named the league’s best and fairest player in 2001.