Bison Briefs

Former Bison Idonije re-signs with Chicago Bears

Former Bison defensive lineman Israel Idonije is reported to have signed a deal with the Chicago Bears worth $1.85 million over the next four years, in addition to a reported $1.6 million dollar signing bonus.

Idonije, who stands at 6’6’’ and weighs in at 275 lbs., had played with the Bears for the previous two seasons, but was a free agent at the end of last season. The Buffalo Bills made an offer, but the Bears chose to match it. Idonije played in 11 games with the Bears last season, registering 16 tackles and one sack. He also played in 15 games in his first year with the team.

Idonije, who grew up in Brandon, Man., is part of a very select group of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) athletes who have gone on to play in the NFL. He had a stellar Bison career as well, winning the prestigious J.P. Metras trophy in 2002 as the top lineman in CIS football. Idonije was also named as the Manitoba Male Athlete of the Year by the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sports Broadcasters Association in 2002.

Two Bisons attend CFL evaluation camp

Third-year offensive lineman Riley Clayton and third-year defensive lineman Simon Patrick were both selected to attend the 2006 CFL evaluation camp, held Mar. 23-25 in Mississauga and Oakville, Ont.

In 2005, Clayton was a Bison team captain and Canada West All-Star. He also participated in the East West Bowl before the 2005 season began. Patrick was named as a CIS Second-Team All-Canadian in 2005, the first Bison to receive an All-Canadian nod since 2002.

The 2006 CFL Canadian College Draft will take place on April 20.

Four Bisons to play in East West Bowl

First-year offensive lineman Ryan Karhut, fourth-year running backs Karim Lowen and Darwin Thompson, and second-year defensive lineman Jonathan Wade have been selected to the West team roster for the upcoming East West Bowl, to be held on May 13 in Quebec City.

The East West Bowl, now in its fourth year, is a collaborative effort between the CFL and the NFL that is designed to showcase players whose draft years are coming up. Players are nominated by their own teams, and then a committee of CIS and CFL coaches and scouts select players from the list of nominees.

Thompson led the Bisons with 788 yards in the 2005 season, and his totals placed him fourth in the Canada West and tenth in CIS in rushing yards. Karhut was a 2005 Canada West All-Star, and Lowen set a personal best in yards rushed in a season in 2005 with 252 yards on 29 attempts.

Wade was forced to miss part of the 2005 season due to injury, but contributed in the final three games of the regular season and into the playoffs.

Deniset named Canada West Husky WHL Grad of the Month

On March 15, fourth-year Bison forward Paul Deniset was named as the Husky WHL Graduate of the Month for the month of February for the third time in his Bison career. The award was created in 1989-90, and only four Bisons have won it a total of seven times since its inception.

Deniset scored 16 points in 7 games in February, including an eight-point weekend against the Regina Cougars on Feb. 10 and 11, and a five-goal game on the 11th, making Deniset the second Bison and the fifteenth player in Canada West history to score five goals in one game.

Deniset was also named as the Canada West conference’s winner of the

Dr. Randy Gregg Award, which goes to the player who best combines athletic ability, academics and community service.