NewsAlert: Calgary Stampeders select Lavertu first overall in CFL draft

TORONTO – The Calgary Stampeders selected Laval centre Pierre Lavertu with the first pick overall in the CFL draft Tuesday night.

Calgary acquired the No. 1 pick 30 minutes before the start of the draft, sending offensive lineman Jon Gott, a five-year CFL veteran, to the expansion Ottawa Redblacks.

The Stampeders, who also have the No. 7 selection, acquired the rights to veteran centre Marwan Hage, who played 10 seasons with Hamilton before being taken by Ottawa in the CFL expansion draft in December. Hage announced his retirement last month.

Ottawa will also receive a conditional pick if Calgary trades Hage’s rights to another CFL team. By dealing the first overall pick, Ottawa was scheduled to make its first selection to open the second round, 10th overall.

The selection of the six-foot-three, 300-pound Lavertu was surprising given Brett Jones was the CFL’s top rookie last year as a first-year centre with Calgary.

But the general sentiment is although Lavertu, of Quebec City, might not possess the most potential, he’s among the most pre-ready prospects in the draft.

The scouting report on Lavertu is he’s got a good frame and is strong enough to excel at the interior position while also being capable of making all the protection calls at the line of scrimmage.