THE CANADIAN PRESS
WINNIPEG — From Regina to Winnipeg, Weston Dressler didn’t have to look far to find a new team.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers officially announced Tuesday that the star receiver has signed a two-year contract with the team less than two weeks after he was released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Dressler joins the Blue and Gold after eight seasons with the Riders, where he has been one of the league’s most productive receivers since his arrival in 2008. The 5-foot-7, 180-pound Bismarck, N.D. product is a two-time CFL All-Star and has been named a Division All-Star on four occasions. He has accumulated 7,797 receiving yards on 539 receptions with 50 receiving touchdowns.
“Adding a veteran player with his skill-set was really a no-brainer for us,” said Blue Bombers General Manager Kyle Walters. “We were all immediately interested in adding him to our offensive lineup, and we’re very excited to have Weston on our side moving forward.”
The 30-year-old was part of a shocking move on Jan. 14 by the Riders to release him along with defensive end John Chick, both cornerstones of a Riders franchise that only two years ago won a Grey Cup on home turf. While Chick is reportedly set to land in Hamilton to join the Ticats, Dressler has been linked to the Bombers for almost a week now.
Weston Dressler
By the Numbers
On Tuesday, the veteran receiver and his new team made it all official.
“I’m beyond excited to start my career as a Winnipeg Blue Bomber,” said Dressler. “It’s widely known the loyalty their fans have, and the passion the city and province have for the Bombers.
“The stadium is hands down the loudest in the CFL,” he continued. “And there are great football people in the organization.We have a quarterback who I think is as good as anyone in this league, and some really solid pieces around him. I’m really looking forward to the days ahead.”
Dressler has five 1,000 yard seasons and 25 career 100-yard receiving games. Including his work on special teams, he has tallied 55 career touchdowns in the CFL. He’s played in seven career playoff games, and two Grey Cups, winning in 2013.
The move signals a fast start to what’s expected to be a busy off-season in the Manitoba capital, as Dressler joins Willy and recently-added offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice on an offence looking to improve substantially. Last year the Bombers ranked dead last on offence with 291.0 yards per game.
