Angela Burger
If you’re listening closely at Stamps training camp practice, you may need to take out your Larousse French-English dictionary or bescherelle.
“There’s a running gag going around that they brought the French Mafia here,” rookie defensive back Kaylyn St-Cyr said with a laugh.
“There are a few French people here, the staff, the players. Even though we’re a long way from home it feels good to still have that French connection.”
St-Cyr is joined by nine other French-speaking Quebecois, including fellow rookies Ben Labrosse (DB), Christy Nkanu (OL), Jason Janvier-Messier (DL), Paul-Antoine Ouellette (FB), Maxim Malenfant (RB), Christian Joachim (DB), and Alexandre Marcoux (OL), as well as veteran fullback William Langlais and running backs coach Andre Bolduc, making Cowtown feel a little more like home.
RELATED
» Single Game Tickets: Available Now
» DETAILS: Stamps Announce 2024 Game Themes
» DETAILS: Stamps Unveil New Mobile App
» WATCH: Positional Preview – Running Backs
» WATCH: Gone Camping – Wall and Michel
» WATCH: Gone Camping – Lewis and Simpson
Paul-Antoine Ouellette and Kaylyn St-Cyr during practice. (David Moll).
It’s going on to Day 16 of camp including the three rookie sessions from the second week of May, and St-Cyr is soaking up every moment.
“Honestly, the experience has been amazing,” he said with a wide grin. “We’ve been here for almost three weeks now, almost a month, and honestly, I can’t complain. Obviously, the level of competitiveness is one step higher, but we take it as a challenge.
“Of course, it’s hard but it feels good to be at that level of football.”
Although he was selected with the Stamps last pick in the 2024 CFL Draft (69th overall), St-Cyr put together an impressive final season in U Sports.
The La Prairie, Que., native was a Quebec conference all-star for the Carabins in 2023 after making 15 tackles and adding one interception, four pass breakups, and five passes defended in six games.
He capped off the year by helping the Université de Montréal defeat the UBC Thunderbirds 16-9 in the Vanier Cup for the program’s second championship in its history.
Les Carabins recently unveiled their championship rings which St-Cyr and Ouellette were unable to collect due to training camp.
Ce soir, nous remettions une bague à nos champions de la Coupe Vanier 💍 pic.twitter.com/7gpoiJsb92
— Carabins (@Carabins) May 16, 2024
“I was sad to miss the ring ceremony but it’s for good reason,” he said. “Finishing my university career on that note, I couldn’t ask for something better.
“That’s the same energy that I’m trying to bring here with the Stampeders. I finished off a winning career (in university) and I want to continue that winning career here in Calgary.”
St-Cyr during poses for a photo during warmups of the intrasquad Red and White game. (Makayla Berze).
The 25-year-old will have a chance to put those words into action on Saturday afternoon for the Red and White’s first pre-season outing of the season when they take on the visiting BC Lions at home in McMahon Stadium.
GET YOUR TICKETS!
As game day approaches, St-Cyr is reminding himself to focus on his game.
“The main advice I got from other players is to just play my game. I’ve been playing football for 18 years now, so (the mindset is) don’t think too much, ball out, and go have some fun.
“And every play is not the last play. You always need to think about the next play. There will be some good plays and some bad plays but at the end of the day I’m grateful to be able to play football and enjoy my time here.”