Local football stars honoured by CJFL

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This article was published 05/05/2020 (2335 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A pair of local football players who starred at a national level have been recognized for their excellence with selections to the Canadian Junior Football League’s All-Decade team.
The CJFL consists of three six-team conferences, with one each in British Columbia, the Prairies and Ontario.

Kildonan East alum Brad Mikuloff was selected as the squad’s lone punter. Mikuloff, who began his career with the East Side Eagles, earned 40 per cent of the votes. A two-time CJFL All-Canadian, Mikuloff averaged 39.6 yards per punt and registered 10 singles over his five years with the Winnipeg Rifles. Following his Rifles career Mikuloff joined the University of Manitoba Bisons where in 2017 he was named to the Canada West all-star team. In his final Bisons season, Mikuloff maintained a 43.8-yard average on punts and made 17 of 26 field goals.
Mikuloff, just back from a shortened first professional season in Mexico, described the honour as surreal.

“I feel very honoured to be picked,” he said. “I can’t believe it really happened.”

Mikuloff watched the balloting, more so he could see how former teammates fared. As the last selection on the team, he said he had to wait to be surprised.

The honour allowed Mikuloff to look back on a special half-decade of his life.

“You just focus on doing your best for the team, never yourself,” he noted, “To be recognized by the league, to have a chance to be part of an all-decade team, and then be voted to be the best punter is absolutely amazing.”

Transcona’s Derek Yachison was also selected. During a four-year career with the BCFL’s Kamloops Broncos, Yachison amassed 185 receptions for 2,654 yards and 27 touchdowns. In 2015 he was named the CJFL’s Peter Dalla Riva offensive player of the year after a 10-game season where he caught 73 passes for 1,026 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“It is truly an honour to be selected for the CJFL all-decade team,” Yachison said. “I loved every minute of my CJFL experience, especially in Kamloops. From the opportunities it presented to me, to the countless teammates and coaches I had the privilege of working and playing with, it was an all-around amazing experience that I will always cherish.”

After playing CFL football for the B.C. Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Yachison founded Fit Body Boot Camps, which has locations in Transcona and Regina.

“I absolutely love every minute of it,” Yachison said. “I can say with confidence that I found my passion in helping to better the lives of others through health and fitness.”