Veteran player Boris Bede has signed with the Edmonton Elks

TORONTO — It didn't take long for Boris Bede to find a new CFL home.

The veteran kicker signed a two-year contract with the Edmonton Elks on Tuesday. The move comes a day after Bede was released by the Toronto Argonauts after three seasons with the Eastern Division team.

Toronto also signed Canadian veteran Lirim Hajrullahu on Monday.

Bede has been reunited with Edmonton linebacker McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Canadian wide receiver Curley Gittens Jr. All three were with the Argos when they won the 2022 Gray Cup.

The six-foot-four, 225-pound Bede was traded by Montreal to Toronto in 2020 for Canadian kicker Tyler Crapigna. But he didn't play that year because the CFL didn't have a '20 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bede's best season in Toronto came last year, when he shot 37-of-39 (94.9 percent) and scored 164 points. The Argos won the East Division in all three seasons Bede was with the club.

Bede also handled the kickoffs and was able to handle the punting duties whenever Australian John Haggerty was injured. Bede completed 108 of 127 field goals (85.0%), boasting a 45.5-yard average on 139 carries, and also had a shutout against Toronto.

He also converted 108 of 115 shots.

A native of Toulon, France, Bede began his CFL career with Montreal (2016-2019). He played collegiately at Laval.

Toronto Argonauts sign Canadian Cassar and Mario to contract extensions

TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts signed linebacker Jack Cassar and defensive lineman Benoit Marion to contract extensions on Tuesday.

The two Canadians became eligible to become free agents next week.

Cassar, 27, had two fumbles, 14 special teams tackles, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries in 18 regular-season games last year. The six-foot-four, 240-pound Mississauga, Ont., native enters his fourth CFL season in Toronto.

Marion, a 28-year-old Montreal native, played in 16 regular season games last season. The six-foot-five, 250-pound lineman had one tackle, nine special teams tackles, two forced fumbles and one sack.

Benoit spent the last three seasons in Toronto.

The Argos also officially released veteran All-American Adarius Pickett, who signed a one-year deal with the Ottawa Redblacks on Tuesday.

Saskatchewan Roughriders sign Canadian Onyeka to contract extension

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Canadian defenseman Godfrey Onyeka to a one-year contract extension on Tuesday.

Onyeka was eligible to become a free agent next week.

The six-foot-two, 200-pound defensive back was limited to four regular-season games in 2023 after missing most of the year with a torn pectoral muscle in the preseason.

The native of Brampton, Ont., joined Saskatchewan in 2021 and has dressed in 11 regular-season games during his time with the club.

The 29-year-old was selected by Edmonton in the second round, No. 10 overall, in the 2018 CFL draft. He played two seasons with the Elks.

The BC Lions have signed a two-year contract extension with Canadian defenseman Hladik

VANCOUVER – The BC Lions signed Canadian defenseman Ben Hladik to a two-year contract extension on Tuesday.

Hladik became a free agent next week.

The 24-year-old took the banner in the 2023 season, becoming the first Canadian in club history to hit 100 shots in a season. He also had a career-high five sacks and an interception.

The Vernon native was drafted by the Lions out of the University of British Columbia with the No. 22 pick in the third round of the '21 CFL draft. He was a starter in 2022, recording 65 total tackles (59 defensive, six special teams), two sacks and two interceptions in 18 regular-season games.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 6, 2024.

Canadian Press