Lavoie named Als’ nominee for top rookie
Laval grad has impressed team
The life of a rookie in Canadian professional football is academic. He comes to training camp simply hoping to make the team. He’s content to be on the practice squad or the 46-man roster. If he gets lucky, he’ll be among the 42 dressing for games, primarily used on special teams.
And then there’s Patrick Lavoie. The fullback/receiver not only cracked the Alouettes’ active roster, he’s proven to be more than serviceable and remains an integral part of the offence, catching 32 passes for 294 yards while scoring four touchdowns. And he’s starting to get rave reviews throughout the CFL, with rivals coaches and general managers wishing he played for their clubs.
Wednesday, Lavoie was named the Als’ nominee for outstanding rookie. Perhaps this should have been expected all those many months ago. Not only was Lavoie the Als’ top draft choice last May (second round, 11th overall), he was well developed in the prestigious Université Laval program. And it shows.
But when he reported to training camp, he was nothing more than a name and number on the depth chart.
“I didn’t know anything about Patrick before he got here. All Patrick was was a name to me,” said Als head coach Marc Trestman, who has always distanced himself from the draft, leaving it in the capable hands of GM Jim Popp along with his personnel assistants and scouts.
“I had no sense. We didn’t have him planned or pencilled in as a starter,” Trestman admitted. “He had to prove himself at training camp. Each day he continued to impress. He’s a smart guy who doesn’t carry himself like a first-year player. Nobody could have planned this for him. We certainly didn’t. The personnel department saw something in him and it has come to fruition.”
Lavoie has flown under the radar most of his life. He was born in Sainte-Flavie, a town of approximately 800 people, he said. Perhaps 50 of them, he quipped, know and understand football. Lavoie had to go to nearby Mont-Joli to play the game and wasn’t highly rated when he reported to Toronto last March, for the CFL’s evaluation camp.
“To help offensively is amazing,” said Lavoie, 25. “I couldn’t imagine that on the first day, when I came to Sherbrooke and training camp. Still, I was ready to play … It was hard, for sure, studying ... going to bed at midnight and waking up at 5.
“But after the first week I understood I could help the team. I don’t know how, really why. But I felt I could help, especially on special teams.”
At 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, the Als have moved Lavoie around. He’s more athletically talented than their last fullback, Kerry Carter. Lavoie also has lined up at tight end, taking advantage of his blocking ability, and has played some slotback. He scored a touchdown in each of his first three games, quietly gaining the confidence of his coaches. And quarterback Anthony Calvillo, who has seen his share of rookies come and go over the years.
“He has been one of the most impressive rookies, to be honest with you,” Calvillo said. “Coming straight out of college, to not only pick up the offence but to be included. To have plays designed for him, because he keeps getting open. He’s beating DBs.
“When I watch film and guys are getting open, that’s when they’re going to get more opportunities. I never shy away, whether he’s a first- year player or 10-year veteran. I’ve never felt uncomfortable getting this guy the ball. He’s been a great, great find for us. He’s been a huge surprise.”
And Lavoie, quietly, is becoming more popular and recognizable. It’s surprising, in some ways, to see the number of 81 jerseys in the stands at Molson Stadium. And it’s the name of Lavoie — not the uniform’s predecessor, Kerry Watkins — embroidered on the back.
“The coach trusts me and designed some plays for me. That’s interesting,” Lavoie said. “This is nice. It means something. I’ve done some good things. But the job’s not finished yet.”
hzurkowsky@ montrealgazette.com Twitter: @HerbZurkowsky1