HOLMES, GETZLAF TRADED FOR ARMSTEAD

(CFL.ca wire) -- The Saskatchewan Roughriders acquired import running back and returner Corey Holmes and non-import receiver Chris Getzlaf from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday in return for import receiver and returner Jason Armstead. Armstead has recorded 15 receptions for 226 receiving yards and a touchdown through eight games with Saskatchewan this season. In 58 career CFL games, the Mississippi product has made 192 receptions for 2,792 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns while returning 120 kickoffs for 2,260 yards and 219 punts for 2,303 yards and three touchdowns. “Jason Armstead is an explosive addition to our offence and special teams, a true difference maker,” said Ticats general manager Marcel Desjardins. ”Corey Holmes and Chris Getzlaf are quality players and people. Corey in particular has been a delight to be around and has been a true professional both on and off the field. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats would like to thank Corey for everything he has done for this organization during his tenure in Steeltown.” “Jason has proven to be a threat as both a receiver and a punt and kickoff returner and that is exactly what he will do for the Tiger-Cats.” After beginning his CFL career with the Ottawa Renegades in 2004, Armstead was selected by the Roughriders with the third overall selection in the 2006 Ottawa Dispersal Draft. Armstead was named a CFL and East Division All-Star in 2005. Holmes returns to Saskatchewan where he spent his first five seasons. The 30-year old was dealt to Hamilton along with Scott Gordon for the first overall pick in the Ottawa Dispersal Draft after the 2005 season. In 18 regular season games with Hamilton over the last year and a half, Holmes picked up 443 rushing yards, 896 kickoff return yards and 199 punt return yards. Holmes was the West Division nominee for Most Outstanding Player in 2005 after racking up 899 rushing yards, 523 receiving yards, 1,157 kickoff return yards and 835 punt return yards for the Riders. He was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2002 and 2005. He was also named the Most Popular Saskatchewan Roughrider as voted on by the fans in 2005. Getzlaf was drafted by the Tiger-Cats in the fifth round in the 2007 Canadian Draft. The Regina native played two seasons for the University of Regina Rams and had 73 receptions for 1,286 yards in 16 games. Getzlaf has spent this season on the Tiger-Cat practice roster. “Almost every trade you make is bittersweet,” said Roughriders general manager and vice president of football operations Eric Tillman. “Obviously, we want to thank Jason (Armstead) for his contributions to our club and we wish him every success. Hamilton is getting a very good football player.” “That said, we are thrilled to acquire Corey and Chris. Corey is a multi-purpose talent and, of course, one of the all-time class individuals in the Canadian Football League.” “Chris is a young man we liked very much coming out of the Rams program. With development, we believe he has a bright future in Green and White.”