January 29, 2014

Ticats, Bombers swap Canadians in trade

CFL.ca

CFL.ca Staff

HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers completed a trade Wednesday, one that will see a pair of Canadians switch addresses.

The Ticats shipped defensive back Matt Bucknor to Winnipeg, in exchange for the rights to wide receiver Giovanni Aprile.

Aprile was selected by the Blue Bombers with the 16th overall pick in the 2012 CFL Draft. 

The 6-3, 213-pound native of Toronto, Ontario, caught 120 passes for 2,155 yards and 15 touchdowns over four seasons at Queen’s. He earned recognition as a first-team OUA all-star in 2012 and a second-team all-star in 2011 and 2013. 

Bucknor, meanwhile, spent two seasons with Hamilton after signing there as a free agent in 2012. He started 14 games in 2012, played in all 18, and finished the season ranked fifth on the team in defensive tackles with 43, while also tallying four special teams tackles.

He played in nine games in 2013, recording two tackles, five special teams tackles and one forced fumble. He also played in the 101st Grey Cup.

Bucknor played five seasons (2006-10) at Windsor, finishing his career there with a total of 121 defensive tackles, 12 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and two forced fumbles.