B.C. native gets second kick at CFL Saturday
VANCOUVER Quinn van Gylswyk is ready for a homecoming of sorts.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ sophomore placekicker hails from Victoria and played collegiately for the Vancouver-based UBC Thunderbirds. He will play the second CFL game of his career Saturday when the Riders face the host B.C. Lions.
Van Gylswyk has been pressed into duty due to a hamstring injury suffered by regular placekicker Tyler Crapigna during last Saturday’s 38-27 win over the visiting Toronto Argonauts. The timing of the injury provides van Gylswyk with a chance to handle the placekicking duties in front of family and friends.
“I expect at least 20 people,” van Gylswyk said. “All of my family and all of my brother’s friends and mine from university are coming. It should be a good showing. It’s like a home-field game for me and back when I used to play in university.”
The Riders selected van Gylswyk in the third round (26th overall) of the 2016 CFL draft. Most of his time with the Riders has been spent on the injured list while waiting for an opportunity.
The 26-year-old van Gylswyk played one game in 2016 while Crapigna was nursing an injury. He connected on one of three field goal attempts, with the lone three-pointer coming from 54 yards away. He was 4-for-4 on field goals during the 2017 pre-season.
This opportunity may be more than a one-game shot— Crapigna is on the six-game injured list.
“It’s an opportunity in general,” van Gylswyk said. “I showed everyone what I could do during the pre-season. If my opportunity comes here, then it comes here. If it comes somewhere else, then it comes somewhere else. I just want to play.”
The Riders kept placing van Gylswyk on injured lists because another team could have claimed him off the practice roster. He is fine with the way his career has turned out to date.
“Last year I was learning because it’s a big change between university and pro,” van Gylswyk said. “The Riders gave me an opportunity by drafting me so I’m not going to push for a trade or anything.”
Van Gylswyk gained a great deal of experience being around Crapigna, punter Josh Bartel and special-teams co-ordinator Craig Dickenson.
“I learned a lot from just being in this atmosphere,” van Gylswyk said. “Rider Nation is crazy. Just being on the sideline for some of these games is eye-opening.”
The Riders have charted van Gylswyk’s kicks throughout practices during the young season.
“He has been good all year,” Dickenson said. “This week I’ve seen an elevated focus with him and genuine enthusiasm for knowing that he’s going to get a chance to play.”
Dickenson respects the patience van Gylswyk has exhibited.
“Every position is the same,” Dickenson said. “Guys know if they work hard, do the little things right, eventually they will get their shot. The same goes for him.”
Van Gylswyk expects some nervousness Saturday. When that happens, he plans to draw on his experience from the final game of his collegiate career. He connected on a 20-yard field goal with no time remaining to give UBC a 26-23 win over the Montreal Carabins in the 2015 Vanier Cup.
“I’m pretty easygoing,” Van Gylswyk said. “I’ve been in the Vanier Cup and I will obviously have a little bit of nerves. Mostly, though, I’m pretty calm.”