There was the anticipation, the nerves and then half-an-hour into the proceedings, a huge relief.
Burnaby’s Michael Couture was selected 10th overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Wednesday’s Canadian Footbal League amateur draft.
The Simon Fraser University offensive lineman said the moments waiting to hear his name called were tense.
“I was kind of anxious before as we had a house full of people, family and friends, over to watch it,” Couture told the NOW. “I kind of figured if I slid to the nine or 10 area that (Winnipeg) might take me, but you never know.
“It felt pretty good to hear (my name called).”
A first team All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference lineman in both 2014 and 2015, Couture demonstrated during the recent CFL combine how he was a good fit for the pro game and was projected to go anywhere from No. 3 to 10. Winnipeg at the time indicated their interest then, he said.
“I’m leaving in two weeks (for camp),” he noted. “I don’t have any expectations really and that’s probably a good way to approach it. I’m just going to go in and do my best and learn as much as I can.”
During his four-year SFU career, Couture played every position along the offensive line and started 36 straight games for the Clan.
“Mike is a great person and his hard work has paid off,” remarked SFU head coach Kelly Bates. “He has been drafted into an organization in Winnipeg that will give him a tremendous opportunity to play and grow into the game at the next level.”
In the past few months, he has talked to a number of SFU and local CFL players, some who still train on Burnaby Mountain, about the transition.
“I’ve asked some SFU alumni who play in the league about what to expect and got an idea of what’s ahead,” Couture said.
SFU teammate Quinn Horton, a defensive lineman, was drafted eighth overall by the Calgary Stampeders.
