Two Former U of Regina Players both Drafted to Ti-Cats

Chris Bauman and Chris Getzlaf didn't suffer separation anxiety for very long Wednesday. The pair of University of Regina Rams receivers were separated briefly when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats selected Bauman first overall in the CFL Canadian Draft, making him the first U of R player to go No. 1. A couple hours later, they were back on the same team when the Ti-Cats used the first pick in the fifth round (33rd overall) to select Getzlaf, a 6-foot-0 and 208-pound slotback. And already, "the Chrises," as they became known during their breakout 2006 season, are thinking about matching their CIS success in the CFL. "That would be excellent if we get that kind of opportunity," said Getzlaf, a 24-year-old Regina native. "I'm hoping it turns out that way. I plan on going in there and giving it all I've got for the camp and hopefully I can make the team. I'm sure Bauman won't have any problem making the team going first overall." Bauman, a 22-year-old wide receiver, led Canadian Interuniversity Sport football with 923 yards on 42 receptions -- 10 of them for touchdowns -- in 2006 and has earned comparisons to former Rams slotback Jason Clermont, who now stars with the B.C. Lions. Getzlaf was not far behind Bauman last season, finishing third in the CIS with 786 yards on 41 catches with nine touchdowns. Both were named first-team All-Canadians. Bauman, 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, wasn't the consensus No. 1 pick before the draft, but he wasn't expected to fall far from the top. Hamilton's front office wasn't about to let him get away, either. "He's a guy who's got great size, great speed (and) catches the ball well," Tiger-Cats general manager Marcel Desjardins told cfl.ca. "Obviously he's still got to work on some of the finer points of being a receiver. With our coaching staff here ... he just has so much upside, that he's a guy we couldn't afford not to take with that first pick and I think he's going to be a significant contributor to our team this year." The Ti-Cats were apparently willing to trade the pick and had looked at a few different players they might take, but by early Tuesday evening, the team informed Bauman he was their man. "I got the call and they just told me to pack my bags and head out east," said Bauman, who was finishing up a round of golf in his hometown of Brandon when the call came. "I didn't know what to do. It was so overwhelming." Prior to the draft, Bauman had stated his preference to stay in the West, but wasn't complaining about being selected by Hamilton, which went 4-14 last season. "I'm happy to be here," Bauman said from Hamilton. "The program is really turning around and I'm glad to be a part of it." Bauman has already agreed to a contract for three years plus an option. Financial terms were not disclosed. Getzlaf, who is in California watching his brother, Ryan compete in the NHL playoffs with the Anaheim Ducks, admitted Wednesday as he started to get a little nervous as the draft went into the later rounds. On the drive between Los Angeles and his brother's home in Anaheim, Getzlaf was being kept up to date on the draft with text messages from a friend in Regina. He watched Bauman go first overall and Rams left tackle Ryan Ackerman go to the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the 28th pick. "When I didn't go in the second or third, it didn't really phase me that much," said Getzlaf. "You get told one thing and anything can happen on draft day so it wasn't getting to me that much. I started to get nervous later in the fourth round, when I was like, 'Only two rounds left. This is getting kind of tight.' You'd think it would be more nerve-wracking, but it wasn't too bad for me." Things should get easier form here on in with the duo headed for Canada's Steel City together. "It'll be great," said Getzlaf. "I already know someone going down there. Maybe I can share a place with him when we go down for camp too."

Congrats!