Two Barrhaven Players Selected In CFL Draft
It was another big year at the CFL Draft for the local football community.
Nepean Eagles grads James Peter and Max Charbonneau, both linebackers for the Ottawa Gee-Gees, were taken in the 2023 CFL Draft last Tuesday.
James Peter, who is a graduate of St. Mother Teresa High School and who also played high school football for the Titans, was selected in the second round, 12th overall, by the Ottawa Redblacks. Charbonneau, a graduate of John McCrae Secondary School, went to high school at John McCrae Secondary School. He was selected 71st overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
While many players from the Eagles program have gone on to play college football, the local program is continuing to send players into the professional ranks. Defensive end Deionte Knight, grew up playing in the program and went to the University of Western Ontario to play for the Mustangs, was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts last year. Two years earlier, Barrhaven wide receiver Phil Iloki was drafted by the Argonauts out of the Carleton Ravens program. Prior to that, offensive lineman Alex Mattaes (Ottawa), defensive end Ettore Lattanzio (Ottawa), and offensive lineman Tyler Holmes (Toronto) were all CFL draft picks. All three won the Grey Cup.
Peter served as a team captain for the second consecutive season with the Gee-Gees and recorded a career-high 58 total tackles. Peter finished the regular season leading the OUA in solo tackles (44), total tackles (58.0), and tackles per game (7.3), as well as second in assisted tackles (28). He ranked second in the nation in solo, assists, and total tackles, finishing third in tackles per game. He was selected to attend the College Gridiron Showcase in Fort Worth, TX in January. Peter was named Football Player of the Year at the Ottawa Sports Awards.
While he was playing with the Gee-Gees, Peter served as a volunteer coach in the summer for the Nepean Eagles Pee Wees.
Charbonneau appeared in six regular season games at middle linebacker with the Gee-Gees last year, recording 17 total tackles. In two playoff starts, he tallied 10.5 tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. He attended the CFL Invitational Combine in Waterloo, ON in February and was selected to advance to the CFL National Combine in Edmonton, AB in March.
Feature Image: James Peter (2) was selected 11th overall in the CFL Draft.
(photos by Gord Weber)
