Johany Jutras/CFL
MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes announced on Tuesday that the club has signed veteran national offensive lineman Dominic Picard to a one-year deal.
Picard, a 6-foot-2, 310-pound centre who’s played 10 seasons in the CFL, became a free agent last month after being released by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The 33-year-old is a Ste. Foy, Que. native and will suit up for the Als for the first time in his career after splitting his time between Winnipeg, Toronto and Saskatchewan.
“We welcome Dominic home and to the Montreal Alouettes. His availability and passion to play in Montreal come at a time of need,” said Alouettes General Manager and Head Coach Jim Popp. “With the injury to Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, we obviously had some concern with depth at the centre position.
“Picard’s acquisition brings veteran leadership and experience to our talented offensive line.”
Before being released by the Riders after the 2014 season, Picard helped Saskatchewan win the Grey Cup in 2013, an historic victory on home turf for the Riders. He also played for the Toronto Argonauts and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who selected him in the third round (23rd overall) of the 2006 CFL Canadian Draft.
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Last season, Picard started 14 games at centre for Winnipeg. He’s played 151 career-games in the CFL and made 143 starts, while he was voted the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman of the Argonauts in 2011 and of the Roughriders in 2012 and 2014.
In the collegiate ranks, Picard played for the Université Laval Rouge et Or, winning the Vanier Cup twice. He was the recipient of the J.P. Metras trophy in 2005, awarded to the top offensive lineman in the country. He was named a CIS All-Canadian in 2004 and 2005. He was also voted the Quebec conference rookie of the year in 2002.
