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HB NEWS A LONG, WINDING ROAD TO GREY CUP TITLE LINEBACKER TRIUMPHS WITH BLUE BOMBERS AFTER HONING SKILLS IN ITALY HERB GARBUTT hgarbutt@metroland.com As a receiver, Tanner Gas- kill-Cadwallader's job was clear: run your route, Stick to your predetermined p: But a change in a eatton was perhaps the least drastic detour on the Georgetown native's road to achieving his dream of play- ing professional football. It led him across an ocean and back and just as he was on the verge of achieving what he had been working t Still a longshot at best, “Gas- kill-Cadwallader's determina- ton was rewarded with a spot n the Winnipeg Blue Bombers roster last spring. And onacold day in December, just a 45-min- ute drive from where he grew up playing Halton Hills Minor Football, the 24-year-old lifted the Grey Cup above his head af- ter a dramatic overtime victory. “As a football fan, those are the greatest games,” Gaskill- Cadwallader said. "I've learned to appreciate the game so much, 0 not having football for so long, Iwas ust excited to go into the buildin; and have the chance fo play." Two years earlier, Gaskill- Cadwallader couldn't have been ther from playing in the C: nadian Football League, at least Beographically. After graduating from Wil- frid Laurier nie city in 2019, he had another year of playing eligibility remaining. But rath- er than returning to take cours- es just to play football, he decid- ed to look for opportunities in rope. He landed with the Bologna Warriors in the Italian Football League, where the more experi- enced import players took on a coach-like role. “All my teammates were very passionate about football,” he said. "They appreciated what I brought to the table and I was able to show them different things I learned over the years. ” eturning to Cana 'S- kill-Cadwallader still had! hopes of playing in the CFL, but real- ized he probably wasn't on any- one's radar. He signed on to play junior football with the London Beef- eaters, where he earned all-star honours as a linebacker and helped the team win the league championship. That caught the attention of the Blue Bombers, who draft him in the seventh round of the 2020 draft. But four months lat- er, the CFL cancelled the sea- son. By the time he reported to Blue Bombers camp last spring, another round of picks from the 2021 draft had doubled his com- petition for a job. “As the last pick of the sev- “I've learned to appreciate the game so much, so not having football for so long, | was just excited to go into the building every day and have the chance to play." enth round, you're not guaran- teed anything,” Gaskill-Cadwal- lader said. "I knew I'd have to work my butt off so I kept train- ing through COVID with the goal to make the team. After a solid rookie season, Gaskill-Cadwallader continued to reward the Bombers in the playoffs. He forced a fumble in the fourth quarter of Winnipeg's - Tanner Gaskill-Cadwallader 21-17 win over Saskatchewan in the West final and then recorded a season-high three tackles in the 33-25 overtime win over Hamilton i in La Grey Cup. Gash Cadwallader fought ack to at Christ eo pais ‘and eiiott Montag, a member of McMas- ter's national championship Help Wanted - Office Receptionist (1 Year contract) Winnipeg Blue Bombers photo Tanner Gaskill-Cadwallader celebrates the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Grey Cup victory in Hamilton. team, brought the Vanier Cup to the school. "Seeing that, itjust seemed so unreal," he sai But it would provide i inspira- tion for him to pursue the game to the highest level. If that meant switching from quarter- back in high school to receiver to Laurier the following year, that's what he did. "I've never shied away from learning anything football re- lated," he said. "That's where I was needed and if that gave me opportunity to get on the field, I was going to take the op- portunity and make the most of it." Established and growing insurance brokerage seeking Receptionist to join our team for a one year full-time contract position. Occasional Saturday mornings expected. Excellent communication skills and a keen attention to detail are critical to this role supporting both account managers and producers. + Assist telephone and Walk-in customers + Process payment receipts * Daily mail related tasks * Insurance experience an asset but not a must * Computer experience including excellent keyboard skills * Professional, detail oriented and organized All applications and information contained therein will be treated as strictly confidential. Please note only those uoWEH - dl UL | 2 20e ‘Oe Auenuer ‘epsunyy | + Assist CSR's as needed * Data management related to policies * Maintain professional relationships with underwriters * Strong communication skills applicants selected for an +A team player with a strong work ethic interview will be contacted. eordyouy Please forward resume to arogers@pcarmstrongins.com