RIDERS RE-SIGN PUNTER JOSH BARTEL

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced on Tuesday national punter Josh Bartel has signed an extension to remain with the team through 2019.

Bartel has spent two of his four CFL seasons with the Green and White after entering the league with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2012. The Australian-born punter was originally acquired by the Riders prior to the 2014 season. After sitting out the 2015 season, the 31-year-old returned to Saskatchewan for 2016.

Last year, Bartel had 134 punts for 6,046 yards (45.1 average) with an 86-yard long and four singles while leading the league with 18 punts finishing inside the opposition’s 10-yard line.

Through 67 regular-season games, Bartel has totaled 469 punts for 20,566 yards (43.9 average) and 15 singles. He was named an East Division All-Star in 2012 and 2013.

“I am pleased to remain with the team through the next few seasons,” Bartel said from his home in Australia. “It is exciting to see what is going on around the club with the talent on the roster, a great coaching staff, and opening the new stadium. I definitely wanted to continue being a part of that.”