Mississauga – With the second overall pick in the 2009 CFL Canadian Draft, the Toronto Argonauts were thrilled to select DL Étienne Légaré, Laval University. The native of Saint-Raymond, Quebec was named the 2008 J.P. Metras award winner as the top lineman in all of Canadian university football.
Commented Légaré, “It is really good news to be the 2nd pick overall. I had no real expectations going into the draft. I am extremely happy to be chosen by the Argonauts; I love the team, I think it’s good fit for me and I think the system will complement my strengths. I am training very hard and will keep on working to prepare for training camp.”
A two-time Vanier Cup champion, Légaré has been a dominating force on Laval’s defensive line. He was named QSSF All-Star in each of the last two seasons and was recently named Laval and Quebec’s university athlete of the year. He elevated his game to a new level this past season and was one of two Canadians invited, along with Hamilton’s first overall pick Simeon Rottier, to play in the 2009 East-West Shrine Game in Houston, Texas. In 2008, he recorded 23 tackles in seven games and finished second in the Quebec conference with 6.5 quarterback sacks.
Assistant GM/Director, Player Personnel, Greg Mohns remarked, “We are ecstatic that Etienne was still on the board for the second overall pick as he was the #1 defensive player targeted by our coaching staff in this year’s draft pool and will give us depth at the Defensive Tackle position. He is a very good overall athlete with outstanding first step quickness and explosion who is a tremendous competitor with a phenomenal motor. He strikes with authority and will be a exceptional addition to our core Canadian content.“