Calgary Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel is pleased to announce national defensive lineman Corey Mace has signed a contract extension. As per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Mace has been with the Stampeders since 2010 when his rights were acquired in a trade with the Toronto Argonauts. In 2014, he made 12 regular-season starts at defensive tackle and recorded 11 tackles and a fumble recovery that he returned for 10 yards. Mace was an important part of one of the CFL’s top run defences in 2014 as Calgary allowed an average of fewer than 100 rushing yards per game (98.6).

The 29-year-old University of Wyoming alum also started both post-season games for Calgary as he had a knockdown in the Western Final victory over Edmonton and a sack and a tackle in the Grey Cup win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“Corey is a force in the middle of our defensive line and is an important part of our defence,” said Hufnagel. “Not only has he been an excellent player, but he has also provided leadership for the young players on the defensive line. I’m looking forward to a healthy and productive season for Corey in 2015.”

In 40 career games for the Stamps, Mace has recorded 44 tackles, four sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. He also sees action on offence in the Stamps’ short-yardage package and in 2012 he had a one-yard touchdown catch.

Mace is an active member of the community, most notably through the Mace’s Faces program that sees 15 clients from Enviros — a Calgary-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of family life in Alberta — attend every Stamps home game as Mace’s special guests.

“These past five years with the Stampeders have been great and I’m looking forward to more success in the future with this team,” said Mace. “I’m proud to call Calgary my home year-round and I can’t imagine playing anywhere else. The organization is top-notch and I love working with these coaches and players. I believe we have strong core and the best has yet to come from this group. I can’t wait for the start of the new season with the same ultimate goal.”