Ticats sign offensive lineman Dyakowski to contract extension through 2017

HAMILTON – The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have signed Canadian offensive lineman Peter Dyakowski to a contract extension through the 2017 CFL season.

Dyakowski has appeared in 132 regular-season games over nine seasons in Hamilton, including 118 starts at guard or tackle.

He has also seen action in seven playoff games, including Grey Cup appearances in 2013 and 2014.

The six-foot-five, 325-pound offensive lineman was an Eastern Division all-star in 2012.

Dyakowski suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee in the 2013 Grey Cup and missed the entire 2014 regular season schedule before returning for the playoffs.

The 31-year-old played in all 20 regular-season and playoff games for the Tiger-Cats last season.

“Peter is a team leader, our longest serving player, and a vital member of our organization both on and off the field,” Tiger-Cats vice president of football operations and head coach Kent Austin said in a release. “This move, along with the extensions of both Mike Filer and Ryan Bomben late last year, ensures stability and continuity amongst our Canadian starters on the offensive line.”

Dyakowski was selected by the Tiger-Cats in the second round, 11th overall, in the 2006 CFL Draft out of Louisiana State University.

The Vancouver native became the first Canadian-born player to sign a football scholarship at LSU and was part of the school’s 2003 U.S. national championship team as a freshman.