Alouettes' oldest participant, Kristian Matte, anticipating coaching camp

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Few if any veteran gamers look ahead to soccer coaching camp. The times are lengthy, between practices, conferences and movie evaluation, whereas the lodging, usually, are lower than preferrred, particularly if the rooms aren’t air-conditioned.

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However as he prepares for the beginning of one more camp this weekend in Trois-Rivières, Alouettes guard Kristian Matte is embracing the chance to get again on the sphere and construct chemistry.

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“It’s been such a roller-coaster journey in Montreal over the past decade and there’s all the time one thing new at camp yearly,” Matte informed the Montreal Gazette by phone. “There’s all the time a brand new coach, one thing happening. Final yr there was a strike. There’s all the time one thing that adjustments issues. I’m excited to be again on the sphere. The off-seasons can are usually somewhat lengthy. It’s good to run round and get somewhat bodily once more. For me, it’s about embracing the second. This isn’t what you’d name a traditional job. So long as you’re in a position to do it, it’s a blessing.”

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At age 37 and heading into his eleventh season with Montreal, Matte is the Als’ oldest participant and might be counted on for his management, particularly following the departures through free company of beginning quarterback Trevor Harris to Saskatchewan and main receiver Eugene Lewis to Edmonton.

Matte, who attended Concordia College, was drafted seventh total by the Als in 2010, however performed just one sport as a rookie whereas the crew was capturing a second consecutive Gray Cup. Montreal hasn’t received a CFL championship since, not to mention reached the title sport. And with the departures of key gamers, mixed with the arrival of Jason Maas — one more new head coach — the Als once more might be regarded upon as underdogs this season.

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“I believe we thrive in that scenario,” Matte mentioned.

The Als defied the percentages in 2019, ending with a 10-8 file regardless of firing head coach Mike Sherman popping out of coaching camp and basic supervisor Kavis Reed throughout the yr. Even final season the group had its share of turmoil following the firings of head coach Khari Jones and defensive co-ordinator Barron Miles. Nonetheless, the crew nonetheless completed 9-9 in a weak East Division earlier than reaching the division ultimate.

“We managed to stay collectively,” Matte mentioned. “We’ve that core group that’s in a position to cleared the path and present individuals what we will do. Will there be rising pains? In fact. If we’re ready to go and do the fitting factor, something’s doable. Toronto received the Gray Cup. I don’t suppose anybody, pre-season, thought that may occur.”

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Matte has lasted this lengthy by taking good care of his physique and avoiding important accidents. In six of his 10 seasons he didn’t miss a sport and would have additionally performed all of them in 2022, however was one in every of quite a few veterans who didn’t costume for the regular-season finale. Age, to him, is strictly a quantity.

“Clearly there’s a little bit of luck concerned, however somebody informed me you create your individual luck,” he mentioned. “I’ve been lucky, however I’ve additionally put the work in to play this implausible sport so long as I’ve been enjoying. I nonetheless really feel good. I nonetheless really feel nice. I really feel like I’m nonetheless doing a very good job and I simply love enjoying soccer. I’d like to preserve enjoying for so long as I can.

“I all the time informed myself when it stops being enjoyable, that’s after I’m going to must make my determination. If my physique hurts an excessive amount of to maintain doing issues, that’s when it’s a must to decide. I’ve been blessed. To me, the job’s not completed. I got here in 2010, after they received back-to-back. What a fantastic story it could be if we might end again on prime.”

The Als, once more, are anticipated to begin 4 Canadians on the offensive line, though free-agent Justin Lawrence is predicted to switch injured beginning centre Sean Jamieson.

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