Former Bulldog hard not to miss with Calgary Dinos

You don’t need to ask where he is; you can always hear him.

“I got a loud voice, I enjoy yelling,” laughed Joel Van Pelt, the 22-year-old University of Calgary Dinos defensive lineman who was just Friday named a Canada West all-star.

“Joel has a great personality, you hear him when he is present,” confirmed defensive co-ordinator Matt Berry, who helped recruit Van Pelt five years ago along with his next door neighbour, friend, and teammate Ross DeLauw at the Canada Cup. “You always know he is around, whether it be on the field, in the locker room, or just with a group of teammates.”

Joel is one of the few recruits left from the previous regime prior to the hiring of Wayne Harris. Now in his fifth and final season with the Dinos, Van Pelt as established himself as one of the top defensive linemen in Canada West and U SPORTS football.

Van Pelt will conclude his eligibility at the end of the 2018 campaign after the joining the club in 2014 directly from Winston Churchill High School in Lethbridge where he excelled not only in football but also basketball. He led his team to the provincial 3A final in basketball but always wanted to concentrate on football.

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound sciences student is one of two remnants — the other being sophomore Jacob Plamondon — from last year’s veteran-laden group that featured Brett Wade, Cory Robinson, Matt Carson, Jack McEwen, all of whom were stalwarts throughout their five years. Van Pelt has also achieved that status and is a leader with a young group under the tutelage of coaches Kent Warnock, Chris Antsey and Tim Burris.

Drafted 62nd overall by Hamilton in the 2018 Canadian Football League Draft, Van Pelt attended the Tiger-Cats’ camp but was moved to the offensive line. When he returned to Calgary he was back at his familiar defensive end spot. A healthy Van Pelt recorded six sacks in conference play, adding two forced fumbles and 20 solo tackles.

“Joel has gone from a high school player with potential to a leader of the unit. He leads by example and plays at a high level,” said Warnock, a longtime CFLer who has been Van Pelt’s position coach for his entire Dinos career. “He has grown into his frame. He is an athletic big guy that moves well.”

So far this season Van Pelt has been healthy. A couple of years ago he was forced to miss three games after suffering a cycling injury after practice outside McMahon Stadium and was banned by the coaching staff from cycling to practice.

“It took time for me to adjust to me new role as a leader,” said the personable Van Pelt, who is a huge Minnesota Vikings fan and admires rush end Jarred Allen.

Van Pelt will lead the Calgary defence into the playoffs this weekend as they host the Manitoba Bisons in a Canada West semifinal, looking to advance to the Hardy Cup for the 11th straight year. Kickoff goes at 12 p.m. today at McMahon Stadium.