The calendar still reads “2013” for a few more weeks but in the football operations offices of the Calgary Stampeders, it’s already 2014.

The Stamps took care of some long-term business on Thursday by signing offensive coordinator Dave Dickenson to a three-year contract and adding assistant head coach to his title.

Next up is the finalization of the Red and White’s protected list in anticipation of the Dec. 16 expansion draft as the Ottawa RedBlacks get the chance to stock their roster for their inaugural season in 2014.

>> More info on the expansion draft

The Stamps also have to deal with their list of potential free agents. The CFL’s free agency period begins on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. MST, so teams have until that date to lock up their players before they hit the open market.

>> More info on potential CFL free agents

Another important component of the Stampeders’ off-season plan is the series of open tryout camps that will take place in various cities starting in January. The camps help Calgary’s personnel department to identify potential candidates for a free-agent camp in Florida which in turn determines who will get an invite to main training camp back in Calgary in late.

Once camp opens, it’s only a few weeks and two pre-season games until the kickoff of the new season!