Riders bring Owens to the fold

The Flyin’ Hawaiian is heading to Riderville.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed American receiver/returner Chad Owens to a two-year contract Wednesday, the second day of CFL free agency. It’s the second new team in as many seasons for the 34-year-old Honolulu native, who played last year for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats following a six-year stint with the Toronto Argonauts.

“If there is a place I want to play and finish my career, it’s Saskatchewan,” Owens said during a conference call. “It’s the top market when it comes to the CFL and to say I’m going to be able to experience that is unbelievable.

“This will likely be my last stop. Take that with a grain of salt but it very well could be.”

The five-foot-seven 180pound Owens had 58 catches for 808 yards and five touchdowns with Hamilton, his season limited to 12 games due to a broken foot. As an Argonaut, he won the league’s outstanding special-teams player award in 2010 before adding the CFL’s outstanding player honour in 2012.

Owens also helped Toronto win the 100th Grey Cup in 2012 at Rogers Centre. He has 504 career catches for 5,982 yards and 25 TDs along with 365 punt returns for 4,027 yards and six touchdowns.

“Chad has averaged 11 yards per return in his career and his 13.1 (average) last year led the league,” said Chris Jones, the Riders’ GM and head coach. “If we get that out of him, that’s what we’re looking for.”