Ottawa Citizen

Redblacks’ Ilnicki finalist for another honour

- KEN WARREN

Ottawa Redblacks running back Ed Ilnicki is in the running for yet another major university honour.

Ilnicki, who won the 2017 Hec Crighton Trophy as the best player in Canadian university football while playing for the University of Alberta, is one of four finalists for the Doug Mitchell Trophy, given to the all-around U Sports male athlete of the year — part of the BLG Awards.

The other finalists include basketball stars Kadre Gray of Laurentian and Javon Masters of New Brunswick, along with Concordia wrestler Francis Carter.

Ilnicki, who set a Canada West single-season rushing record of 1,468 yards last season, was originally drafted by the Redblacks in the seventh round of the 2017 draft.

After being released during training camp last year, he’s hoping to kick off his profession­al career — likely starting out in a special teams role — with the Redblacks this season.

The Jim Thompson Trophy, awarded to the top U Sports female athlete of the year, is also down to four finalists.

The group includes volleyball standouts Theanna Vernon of Ryerson and Marie-Alex Belanger of Montreal, along with Calgary rugby/wrestling star Temitope Ogunjimi and Acadia basketball ace Paloma Anderson.

The winners will be announced at a June 4 ceremony in Vancouver.

It’s the 25th anniversar­y of the The BLG Awards, sponsored by the law firm Borden Ladner Gervais.

 ??  ?? Ed Ilnicki
Ed Ilnicki

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