January 10, 2014

Back where he started: Stala signs with Alouettes

CFL.ca Staff

MONTREAL — Just one day after being released by the Ticats, non-import receiver Dave Stala has signed a two-year deal with the Alouettes.

Stala rejoins Montreal after spending the first six seasons of his CFL career with the Alouettes from 2003 to 2008, appearing in a total of 58 games over that span, catching 145 passes for 1,852 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Alouettes’ sixth-round draft pick (50th overall) in the 2003 CFL Canadian Draft, was also called upon to punt on a few occasions, maintaining a 38.8-yard average on 24 punts with Montreal.

“We are happy that we have the opportunity to bring Dave back to his original team so that we can make use of his versatility and give him the chance to finish his career in Montreal,” explained Alouettes General Manager and Head Coach Jim Popp.

“Dave is a great teammate, a dependable player, a community guy, and a fan favorite. Welcome home Dave!”

Most recently, the 34-year-old spent the past five seasons in Hamilton after joining the Tiger-Cats as a free agent in 2009. The former product of Saint Mary’s University in Halifax registered 263 catches for 3,336 yards and 20 TDs in 86 regular season games with the Ticats.

A native of Poland who grew up in Hamilton, the two-time Tiger-Cats Most Outstanding Canadian had a career-high 85 receptions for 1,015 yards and six TDs in 2010.

The Als have also signed non-import receiver Geoff Coventry to a three-year deal.

Coventry played five years with the Bishop’s University Gaiters in the CIS, and helped lead his team to a 6-2 record in 2013.

The Orléans, ON native reeled in a season-best seven catches for 142 yards and a touchdown in a dramatic 28-27 win against the University of Sherbrooke at Coulter Field in the 2013 season opener.

His longest reception of the season came in the form of a 46-yard TD grab during that same game, as he maintained an impressive 20.2-yard average per reception against the Vert & Or.

Coventry was often his quarterback’s favourite target on his way to nabbing 37 passes for 525 yards and two touchdowns last season.

The 24-year-old was named to the 2013 RSEQ all-star team following his remarkable season.