Two years ago, Jade Etienne’s name likely wasn’t topping the Canadian Football League’s scouting list. Fast forward to last weekend, however, and Etienne was only 11 points shy of hoisting the league’s championship trophy.

The former University of Saskatchewan Huskie was part of the Winnipeg Blue Bomber team that lost to the B.C. Lions in the 99th Grey Cup on Nov. 27.

2011 was Etienne’s rookie season in the CFL.

Etienne, who originally joined the Huskies as a red-shirt kicker in 2007 before making the jump to receiver, made the right impression during his breakout 2010 season that saw him finish 3rd in Canadian university sport with 721 receiving yards on 28 receptions in just seven games. The CFL Scouting Bureau ranked him 15th amongst all Canadian-born football players eligible for the 2011 entry draft following that season.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers felt he was even better than that and selected him fourth overall.

“Jade is a young receiver with plenty of upside,” said Bomber Vice-President and General Manager Joe Mack in a press release. “He is a big target with tremendous athletic ability who can make the tough catches. We’re very excited to have selected him in this draft.”

After signing a contract with the team on June 1, the Regina native headed to the Blue Bombers main camp fully prepared to come back to the University of Saskatchewan for another year with the Huskies.

After a strong camp, however, Etienne cracked the Blue Bombers 2011 roster and stayed with the team.

While Etienne was not able to register a catch this year, he played in all but one game through the 2011 regular season, seeing the field in various special team roles.

The Blue Bombers finished first in the East with a 10-8 record, earning themselves a first round bye in playoffs. Unfortunately for Etienne, he was injured in the Blue Bombers’ 19-3 Eastern Conference win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Etienne said that despite the injury he was very happy with how his first year in the league went.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better rookie season,” said Etienne. “Two preseason games, 17 of 18 regular season games, and one of two playoff games was the most football I’ve ever played.”

As an injured player, Etienne travelled with the team to Vancouver for the Grey Cup and was
with the team on the sidelines for the entire game.

“Getting injured right before the big game wasn’t thrilling but I’m glad I was a part of the team,” said Etienne after the Nov. 27 game. “The fact I got to go to the Grey Cup and be on the sidelines was amazing.”

Led by quarterback Travis Lulay, the hometown B.C. Lions beat Etienne’s Blue Bombers 34-23 in front of a sold out crowd of 54,313 in the newly-built B.C. Place Stadium.

Etienne said he felt the support from his home province throughout the entire season — especially over the last week.

“I’m so thankful for all of my friends and family back home in Saskatoon. All week we had people wishing us the best.”

With a year of professional football experience under his belt, the 22-year-old receiver plans to return home to Saskatchewan for a well-earned off-season before returning to Winnipeg for the Blue Bombers main camp next summer.

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Photo: Huskies Outsider/flickr