In the past two seasons the CJFL has seen action the Edmonton Huskies have been one win away from a trip to the Canadian Bowl national championship game, but both times they have come up short. With the CJFL opening the 2021 season after a year off due to the pandemic the Huskies are ready to kick-off trying to get over the hump.  They will begin the season hosting the very team that has eliminated them from the playoffs in those two straight years; the Saskatoon Hilltops.

What’s New:

The biggest change for the Huskies comes from their coaching staff.  Following the 2019 season head coach Iain MacLean stepped down to pursue a career opportunity outside of Alberta making room for defensive coordinator Jeff Tobert to take over the reins.    Three new faces will join the coaching staff; Kendal Jeske (WR), Nick Cowan (LB) and Scott Duguid (OL).  Marcus Henry has been promoted to the Offensive Coordinator role and Brandin Modin takes over the defensive coordinator spot with Tobert moving to the vacant head coaching position.

Off the field the Huskies have added former head coach Iain MacLean to the Board of Directors along with long time team photographer Gord Mellor.  The Huskies’ website has seen a complete refresh and updated look just in time for the season.

Entering Final Season:

QB Declan O’Flaherty – expectations are high for the senior quarterback after a very successful 2019 season which saw him complete over 60% of his passes for 1453 yards and 12 touchdowns

RB Brandt Burzuk – he was a CJFL All-Canadian in 2019 and the Huskies are expecting big things from the senior running back.  That season he galloped to 824 yards on 129 carries and scored six touchdowns

Key Grads:

WR Sam Clayton –he will be missed after leading the Conference with 37 receptions in 2019 for 363 yards and five touchdowns

DB Mitchel Choma-Phillips – in 2019 he was an important piece of the Huskies secondary with 13 tackles and had three knockdowns

LB Brett Van Der Korput – he was a Conference All-Star in 2019 and leaves big shoes to fill. In his final season he was all over the field making 29 tackles, had three sacks, forced a fumble and even picked off a pass

Counting On:

QB Declan O’Flaherty – the Huskies are hoping this is the year for the senior pivot after his outstanding regular seasons and has now appeared in two straight Conference title games.

RB Brandt Burzuk – if he can have another All-Canadian type season the Huskies can execute a very balanced offensive attack on the ground and through the air.  In 2019 to complement his outstanding season ground assault, he also caught 14 passes for 105 yards

DL Josh Lenz – during the 2019 season Lenz showed tremendous growth on the d-line and the Huskies are excited to see what he can do this year.  In 2019 he had 12 tackles, had a pair of sacks, a knockdown and forced a fumble

The Huskies open the season on their brand new home turf on August 22nd.  They will play all their home games at Jasper Place (JP) Bowl this season and will welcome the Hilltops for their home opener.