Logan Ferland helped the Regina Thunder reach a milestone during its 25th-anniversary season.
On July 13 against the host B.C. Lions, the Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive lineman registered the 500th CFL appearance by a graduate of the Prairie Football Conference’s Thunder.
He is among 29 Thunder products to have spent some time with the Green and White. Seven of them, Ferland included, have dressed for at least one regular-season game.
Ferland joined the Thunder in 2015 after playing nine-a-side high school football with the hometown Melfort Comets. Nearly a decade later, he is one of the CFL’s top offensive linemen.
“I still look back on the things I was learning in my first and second years with the Thunder that I had zero clue about when I was in high school,” he said.
“Just seeing the game step up each league you go into really helps you progress faster.”
Ferland quickly progressed with the Thunder, earning PFC All-Star honours in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
A Canadian Junior Football League All-Canadian in 2018, he was named the PFC’s outstanding offensive lineman the following year.
It was a busy and rewarding 2019 season for Ferland, who practised with the Roughriders and Thunder as a graduating PFC player.
Roughriders Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O’Day, a former offensive lineman, saw something in Ferland from the outset.
“I’m here because I got that chance from J.O. bringing me on a long time ago,” an appreciative Ferland said.
After COVID-19 resulted in the cancellation of the 2020 season, Ferland started every game as a CFL rookie in 2021.
He is now a strong candidate to be named the Roughriders’ Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman for the third season in succession.
“Looking back to those days (with the Comets and Thunder), you’ve got to pinch yourself sometimes when you realize that you’re here,” Ferland said. “It really makes you not take it for granted.”
It also makes you take stock of all the people who have helped along the way.
“If I started calling out specifics, I’d have too many people to name,” Ferland said. “I might miss someone.
“Every offensive line coach I’ve had has had an impact on my career through high school and the junior ranks.
“I look a guy like (Thunder Head Coach) Scott MacAulay, who puts so much into that program and doesn’t ask for a thing in return.
“I look at how many lives he has changed just from what he has put in and at the example he sets for the coaches as well. Every single coach I had with the Thunder was amazing along my journey.
“Everyone has contributed to my career and anyone who is involved with that organization is really helping those young men turn into men in the world — not just good guys on the field but good guys off the field and in the community.”
The Thunder’s scholarship program has become a key part of the equation. It recently received a $62,000 boost thanks to a donation from the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation.
As well, the Foundation provided $1.2 million to amateur football in Saskatchewan in 2023 via proceeds from the 50/50 draws, presented by ISC.
“With how much is donated back to the program with the Foundation, that’s everything,” Ferland said. “It helps us along the way.
“It takes a lot of money to run that organization and it is all-volunteer as well. You think about that and about how much money it still takes to run that.
“It’s pretty amazing what they’re able to do because of a lot of things that the Foundation does.”
The Thunder’s foundation is set administratively by team president Murad Al-Katib, who was named the CJFL’s executive of the year during Ferland’s final year with the team.
“Props to Murad and everything he has done for the program,” Ferland said. “He has shifted that program.
“I look at how much things have changed in the last five years and it is hand over fist unrecognizable from when I was there with how many opportunities some of these guys have.
“We had a lot of opportunities then, but now a lot of guys are really making that tough decision between university and junior because of the scholarships the Thunder can provide.”
THE ROUGHRIDERS’ THUNDER CONNECTION
Preston Bews: 2015 (practice roster)
Jeff Bolen: 2008 (training camp), 2009 (training camp)
Ivan Brown: 2016 (13 games played), 2017 (training camp)
Kris Calcutt: 2016 (training camp), 2017 (training camp)
Dan Clark: 2009 (training camp; practice roster), 2010 (practice roster; also played for Thunder), 2011 (practice roster), 2012 (7), 2013 (18), 2014 (16), 2015 (14), 2016 (15), 2017 (9), 2018 (15), 2019 (18), 2021 (13), 2022 (6)
Clay Cooke: 2012 (training camp/practice roster)
Zack Evans: 2011 (practice roster), 2012 (8), 2013 (8), 2018 (18), 2019 (11)
Logan Ferland: 2017 (training camp), 2019 (practice roster), 2021 (14), 2022 (16), 2023 (18), 2024 (17)
Stu Foord: 2007 (training camp), 2008 (17), 2009 (18), 2010 (18), 2011 (18)
Chris Getzlaf: 2007 (practice roster), 2008 (5), 2009 (18), 2010 (18), 2011 (18), 2012 (18), 2013 (17), 2014 (15), 2015 (10), 2017 (8)
Matt Halbgewachs: 2015 (training camp/practice roster)
Asher Hastings: 2012 (training camp)
Connor Klassen: 2022 (training camp/practice roster)
Matt Knight: 2016 (training camp/practice roster)
Greg Lamb: 2019 (training camp)
Robbie Lowes: 2017 (training camp/territorial junior)
Jordan Matechuk: 2013 (training camp/practice roster)
Bryce McCall: 2013 (training camp)
Reece McCormick: 2022 (training camp)
Max Parkinson: 2023 (practice roster)
Brendon Philogene: 2017 (training camp)
Riley Schick: 2022 (practice roster), 2023 (practice roster)
Stephen Smith: 2024 (practice roster)
Kolten Solomon: 2011 (training camp), 2012 (training camp), 2013 (mini-camp)
Jonathan Thebaud: 2017 (training camp)
Mitch Thompson: 2013 (training camp), 2014 (training camp/practice roster)
Brandon Whitehouse: 2014 (training camp)
Paul Woldu: 2006 (training camp), 2012 (15), 2013 (18), 2014 (17), 2015 (10)
Isaiah Woodley: 2023 (practice roster)
GREY CUP CHAMPIONS
Chris Getzlaf (2007, 2013)
Dan Clark (2013)
Zack Evans (2013)
Paul Woldu (2013)
• Woldu was also part of two championship teams (2009, 2010) with Montreal; Evans celebrated a Grey Cup with Ottawa (2016).
