Regina Homecoming

Saskatchewan Roughrider General Manager/VP of Football Operations Eric Tillman announced today the Riders have acquired import running back/returner Corey Holmes and non-import receiver Chris Getzlaf from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In return the Riders sent import receiver/returner Jason Armstead to the Tiger-Cats.

Holmes returns to Saskatchewan where he spent his first five seasons. The 30-year old running back/returner was dealt to Hamilton along with Scott Gordon for the first overall pick in the Ottawa Renegade dispersal draft after the 2005 season. In 18 regular season games with Hamilton over the last year and a half, Holmes picked up 443 rushing yards, 896 kickoff return yards and 199 punt return yards.

Holmes was the Western Conference nominee for Most Outstanding Player in 2005 after racking up 899 rushing yards, 523 receiving yards, 1,157 kickoff return yards and 835 punt return yards for the Riders. He was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2002 and 2005. He was also named the Most Popular Saskatchewan Roughrider as voted on by the fans in 2005.

Chris Getzlaf was drafted by the Tiger-Cats in the fifth round in the 2007 Canadian College Draft. The Regina native played two seasons for the University of Regina Rams and had 73 receptions for 1,286 yards in 16 games. Getzlaf has spent this season on the Tiger-Cat practice roster.

“Almost every trade you make is bittersweet,” stated Tillman. “Obviously, we want to thank Jason (Armstead) for his contributions to our club and we wish him every success. Hamilton is getting a very good football player.”

“That said, we are thrilled to acquire Corey and Chris. Corey is a multi-purpose talent and, of course, one of the all-time class individuals in the Canadian Football League.”

“Chris is a young man we liked very much coming out of the Rams program. With development, we believe he has a bright future in Green and White.”