Sports Roundup: Eight Ottawa-based players selected in CFL Draft

Your weekly round-up of sports in Ottawa for May 2 – May 8, 2022. (PHOTO: Football – uOttawa Gee-Gees, geegees.ca)

Ottawa 67’s

The 67’s added a pair of local players to its organization on Thursday through the OHL U18 Priority Selection draft. Nepean Raiders U18 AAA forward Luka Benoit was selected in the first round (seventh overall) after scoring 24 goals and 31 assists for 55 points in 32 games. Benoit also appeared in nine games with the Nepean Raiders Jr. A side, scoring three goals.

Second-round pick Jesse Lumsden (27^th overall) featured in 31 games for his hometown U18 AAA Smiths Falls Bears, posting 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points. Lumsden also made a single appearance for the Smiths Falls Bears CCHL side.

The 67’s held their 2022 development camp following the recent drafts – inviting 31 players, both draftees and free agents. The two-day camp gave the organization and players an opportunity to familiarize themselves with one another, culminating in a scrimmage that saw 10^th-round pick Joshua Brady scored the overtime winner to give Team Shaw a 5-4 win over Team Boynton.

Carleton Ravens 

Two members of the Ravens football team were selected in the 2022 Canadian Football League draft on May 3^rd. Wide receiver Keaton Bruggeling was selected in the third round (22^nd overall) by the Ottawa Redblacks. Bruggeling had 17 receptions for 225 yards and three touchdowns in 2021, setting career-highs in each category.

Defensive back Cedrick Lavigne was selected in the seventh round (65^th overall) by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Lavigne had 11 solo tackles and 5 assists for 13.5 tackles in 2021, setting a career-high.

Basketball guard Lloyd Pandi continues to add to his trophy case after being named a recipient of the OUA 2022 Male Athlete of the Year award alongside University of Waterloo quarterback Tre Ford. The 22-year-old has received several awards for his performance during the 2021-22 season, including U Sports Men’s Basketball Player of the Year.

University of Ottawa Gee-Gees 

The Gee-Gees football program saw six of its players selected in the 2022 CFL draft, the most of any school.

Zach Pelehos was the highest-selected, as the offensive lineman was drafted second overall by the Ottawa Redblacks. Pelehos was an OUA first-team all-star in 2021.

Defensive back Chris Ciguineau was the next Gee-Gee selected, coming off the board in the fifth round (47^th overall) to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Wide-receiver turned defensive-lineman Frednick Eveillard was selected three spots later (50^th overall) in the sixth round by the BC Lions.

Running back and second-team OUA all-star J-P Cimankinda was selected in the seventh round (57^th overall) by the Edmonton Elks.

Defensive lineman Adam Wallace joined Eveillard with the Lions as the club’s eighth-round selection (68^th overall).

Defensive end Michael Pezzuto was the last Gee-Gee selected in the draft, falling to the Toronto Argonauts in the eighth round (71^st overall).