THURSDAY’S CFL ROUND-UP

MONTREAL – The Montreal Alouettes solidified their offensive line Thursday, signing veteran Jeff Perrett and CFL rookie Philip Blake to three-year contracts.

The six-foot-six 330-pound Perrett was the East Division’s top lineman this past season, anchoring an offensive line that allowed just 31 sacks, second-fewest in the CFL. Perrett, 30, a native of Lethbridge, Alta., has spent his entire eight-year career with Montreal.

“Jeff is not only an outstanding football player for our team, but he is also one of the most respected players in the locker-room for his leadership and his infectious personality,” Montreal GM Jim Popp said in a statement. “He is a very important part for us to retain in order to have continued success on the field and in the community.”

Montreal selected the six-foot-two 311-pound Blake in the third round (23rd overall) in the 2011 CFL draft but the Toronto native opted to return to Baylor University for his senior season.

The 29-year-old centre was a fourth-round pick of the NFL’s Denver Broncos.

He spent two seasons in Denver before signing with Arizona. Blake was on the Cardinals’ practice roster in 2013.

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CALGARY – The Calgary Stampeders re-signed Canadian receiver Simon Charbonneau-Campeau on Thursday.

The 26-year-old St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., native was scheduled to become a free agent next month. Calgary acquired Charbonneau-Campeau from Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Jan. 6, 2014.

He appeared in 14 regular-season games for Calgary and established career highs with 13 catches for 233 yards and scored his first career touchdown Sept. 6 against Edmonton. Charbonneau-Campeau added two receptions for 74 yards in the West final and had a catch for 28 yards in the Stampeders’ 20-16 Grey Cup win over Hamilton.

The former Sherbrooke star also had seven special-teams tackles with Calgary.

“I’m pleased that Simon has chosen to remain with the Stampeders,” Calgary head coach/GM John Hufnagel said in a statement. “He was an excellent addition to the team in 2014 as he made some very important catches and was a great asset on special teams.

“I look forward to his continued development in his second season with us.”

Charbonneau-Campeau played two seasons in Hamilton and in 41 career CFL games has 22 catches for 348 yards and one touchdown.

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The BC Lions Football Club announced this morning that veteran Canadian special teams ace Jason Arakgi and offensive lineman Cam Thorn have signed contract extensions with the team through 2017 and 2016 respectively.

Aragki, who was set to become a free agent next month, enjoyed another productive season appearing in all 18 regular season games in 2014. The club’s third-round selection in the 2008 CFL Draft has now played 121 career games for the Lions in addition to nine playoff appearances and the 2011 Grey Cup championship.

In 2014, Jason not only notched a team-high 23 special teams tackles, he also broke the club’s all-time mark held by Sean Millington (140) and now sits alone with 158 for his career. Over the past seven seasons, no CFL player has more stops on special teams than Arakgi who has never recorded a season with fewer than 14. 

Thorn was the club’s seventh-round selection in the 2013 CFL Draft and comes off his first season as a pro after returning to Guelph for his final year of CIS eligibility following Lions training camp in 2013. Seeing action on short yardage situations and dressing as the team’s sixth offensive lineman,

Thorn saw the field in all 18 regular season games in 2014 as well as the postseason.

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OTTAWA — The Ottawa REDBLACKS of the Canadian Football League have signed four players from the 2014 CFL Draft:

•Offensive tackle Aaron Wheaton (Toronto)
•Defensive end Stephon Miller (Windsor)
•Long snapper Kevin Malcolm (McMaster)
•Defensive end Vincent Desloges (Laval)

Wheaton, Miller and Desloges attended REDBLACKS training camp last season.

The team also announced two other transactions:
•Released international running back D.J. Harper
•Released international running back Michael Hayes