THE CANADIAN PRESS
CFL.ca Staff
CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders announced Monday that they have inked a new deal with national running back Matt Walter who was slated to become a free agent in February.
“Matt has steadily developed and escalated his game ever since joining the Stampeders,” said general manager and head coach John Hufnagel. “He has done an excellent job in his role and has stepped up and delivered when called upon as a starter. It’s a tremendous asset to the team to have a talented tandem of Canadian running backs in Matt and Jon and I look forward to continued great performances at that position.”
During the 2014 campaign, his third season with the Stamps, Walter established career highs with 79 carries, 453 rushing yards, two touchdowns, 11 receptions and 105 rushing yards. He also returned one kickoff for 17 yards and made one special-teams tackle.
Walter recorded his first career 100-yard game during a Nov. 1 first meeting with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and made six starts during the 2014 season when Jon Cornish was sidelined by injury.
In the post-season, Walter had four carries for 16 yards in the Western Final and had one kickoff return for 27 yards in the Stamps’ 20-16 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Grey Cup game.
Walter, a fifth-round draft pick by the Stamps in 2011, has played 47 regular-season games over three CFL seasons and rushed for 887 yards and three touchdowns while adding 17 catches for 165 yards.
“I am honoured to once again have the opportunity to play for the Calgary Stampeders and compete for the 2015 Grey Cup,” said Walter. “The past three seasons have been an tremendous journey and I am extremely fortunate to have shared it with such outstanding teammates, coaches and staff.
“Our incredible fans have made it a pleasure to play here and it’s been great to have my family and friends along for the ride. I am proud to continue to represent our great city and will do whatever it takes to help our team succeed in 2015.”
Walter played at Calgary’s Bishop O’Byrne High School and then starred for the University of Calgary Dinos before joining the Stampeders in 2012.
