Kris Stevens Returns to Sun
The Okanagan Sun have added a physical presence to the defensive line and potentially the fullback position. But this older (22 year old as of August) is familiar to the Sun as this is his second go around with the club. Kris Stevens (Churchill High School, Winnipeg) was with the club the last half of 2012. The 6’, 245 pound bruiser returns to the Sun after spending last season with the Manitoba Bisons.
Stevens on his decision to return to the Sun for his last season of junior eligibility;
“I was with the Bisons last year but when I decided I wasn’t going to school this year it was an easy choice to come back to the Okanagan. I liked it a lot there last time and things are looking really good with coach Beatty there, he has things in the right direction…so like I said it was a real easy decision where I wanted to be for my last year of football.
“I was a bit on and off (the fence) about playing this year but I have been watching coach Beatty’s off season weight training with the guys and we’ve been texting back and forth. When someone is talking to me about weight training, he gets my attention pretty quick.”
Stevens was on Shane Beatty’s radar last season, and while he was unable to get him on the roster then, he is ecstatic about the “edge” the Winnipeger brings to the club now.
“The kid is a beast, he is a real mean, physical player on the field. That’s what you want defensively, someone who will intimidate the opposition and that’s what he brings. The rest of the guys will feed off his attitude.”
Receiver added to roster
An already deep Sun receiver core added a big body speedster to the group as Hunter Verhulst (Calgary, Bishop Grandin) has committed to the club.
The soon to be 21 year old sat out last season after playing with the Calgary Colts of the Prairie Football Conference in 2012. The 6’3, 200 pounder is expected to see time at receiver as well as competing for the starting place kicker spot.
Beatty showed little concern that Verhulst sat out last season due to a leg injury suffered late in 2012. Beatty feels the Calgary product can be in impact player for the Sun and he seemed especially excited about what Verhulst can bring to the kicking game.
“Hunter can be an impact guy for us. He can fly, really stretch out the defence and he’s a big kid too. He has a seriously strong leg, he is a great addition to our kicking game.”
