EDMONTON - Canada West is proud to announce the fall 2008 conference football all-stars, as selected by coaches from each of the seven varsity teams.

The team is made up of 12 players each on offence and defence, along with three positions on special teams.

Highlighting the roster is fifth-year Regina quarterback and two-time defending league MVP Teale Orban, who set league records for completions (685), pass attempts (1,198), touchdown passes (76) and passing yards (9,449) during his five-year stint with the Rams. This year he led the conference in passing yards (1,809) and touchdown strikes (10), while guiding Regina to a 5-3 record and a spot in this year’s semifinals. In 2006, Orban was also a CIS First-Team All-Canadian. Matt Walter, 2007 Canada West Rookie of the Year, makes his first appearance on the All-Star squad after leading the conference in rushing, with 904 yards. Walter had a 6.1-yards-per-carry average and scored four touchdowns, tied for second-most in the league.

New all-time Canada West sack leader, UBC’s Scott McCuaig, who made his initial appearance on the all-star list in 2007, was one of two unanimous choices to the squad. He added 11 more sacks for a four-year total of 29, shattering the old mark of 22. Alberta Golden Bears offensive tackle Simeon Rottier makes the grade for a third straight year. Top-rated by the CFL’s Amateur Scouting Bureau and eligible to be invited to the league’s 2009 Evaluation Camp and Canadian Draft, Rottier was a unanimous Canada West All-Star choice after making the list in 2006 and 2007, and in 2007 he was also named a Second Team CIS All-Canadian. Saskatchewan slotback Scott McHenry and offensive lineman Dylan Steenbergen of Calgary were also ranked in the top 10 by CFL Amateur Scouting and are 2008 CWUAA All-Stars.

Alberta punter/placekicker Hugh O’Neill continued to show his abilities, getting the nod as top punter. A year ago O’Neill was an All-Canadian at both positions. Shawn McIsaac of the UBC Thunderbirds was 19 of 23 on field goal attempts and added 67 points for a total of 261 during his five-year CIS career. McIsaac, who also made the All-Star team as a placekicker in 2006, finished his career fourth all-time in Canada West scoring.

Two freshmen made the list, including UBC standout receiver and return specialist Spencer Betts, who had 765 all-purpose yards, and teammate Blaine Kruger, the Canada West leader in receptions, with 36, and third among receivers with 491 yards.

Following is the complete list of 2008 Canada West football All-Stars by position, with program of study, year of eligibility and hometown (*denotes unanimous selection):

Offence
Quarterback: Teale Orban, Regina (Business Administration, 5th year – Regina, Sask.)
Running Back: Matt Walter, Calgary (Science, 2nd year – Calgary, Alta.); Luke Derkson, Regina (Campion Arts, 5th year – Regina, Sask.)
Wide Receiver: Nathan Coehoorn, Calgary (Open Studies, 2nd year – Redcliff, Alta.); Jordan Sisco, Regina (Campion Arts – 3rd year – Regina, Sask.)
Inside Receiver: Blaine Kruger, UBC (Arts, 1st year – Cochrane, Alta.); Scott McHenry, Saskatchewan (Arts & Science, 4th year – Saskatoon, Sask.)
Tackle: *Simeon Rottier, Alberta (Agriculture, Life & Enviro. Science, 4th year – Westlock, Alta.); Dylan Steenbergen, Calgary (Humanities, 4th year – Lethbridge, Alta.)
Guard: Hubert Buydens, Saskatchewan (Arts & Science, 4th year – Saskatoon, Sask.); Nick Hutchins, Regina (Campion Arts, 4th year – Regina, Sask.)
Centre: Kurtis Stolth, Manitoba (Social Work, 4th year – Port Alberni, B.C.)

Defence
Safety: James Green, Calgary (Fine Arts/Humanities, 4th year – Vernon, B.C.)
Cornerback: Jonathon Krahenbil, Saskatchewan (Commerce, 4th year – Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask.); Anthony DesLauriers, Simon Fraser (Arts, 3rd Year - Surrey, B.C.)
Halfback: Tyler Codron, UBC (Arts, 4th year – Port Coquitlam, B.C.); Jon Waldie, Calgary (Communications, 5th Year – Victoria, B.C.)
Linebacker: Andrea Bonaventura, Calgary (Humanities, 3rd year – Hamilton, Ont.); Kenton Onofrychuk, Manitoba (Extended Education, 5th year – Winnipeg, Man.); Brandon Ganne, Regina (Engineering, 4th year – Regina, Sask.)
Interior Lineman: Don Oramasionwu, Manitoba (Asper School of Business, 4th year – Winnipeg, Man.); Tommy Buchmann, UBC (Science, 3rd year – Burnaby, B.C.)
End: *Scott McCuaig, UBC Arts, 4th year – Surrey, B.C.); Deji Oduwole, Calgary (Humanities, 3rd year – Coquitlam, B.C.)
Special Teams
Kick Returner: Spencer Betts, UBC (Human Kinetics, 1st year – Surrey, B.C.)
Placekicker: Shawn McIsaac, UBC (Applied Science, 5th year – Chilliwack, B.C.)
Punter: Hugh O’Neill, Alberta (Science, 2nd year – Edmonton, Alta.)

Winners of the Canada West major awards will be announced at 1:30 p.m. MST on Thursday, Nov. 6.
 
The 72nd Hardy Cup game, between Simon Fraser and Calgary, goes 1:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Saturday, Nov. 8 at McMahon Stadium in Calgary. The Clan won their only regular season battle, 20-3 on September 20 in Burnaby, B.C.